Government Wants to Digitise the Property Market – Commercial Real Estate Also Needs a Digitisation Strategy

Andrew Lloyd , Managing Director at Search Acumen, says:

The UK’s commercial real estate market, second only to Germany in Europe, is a vital component of our nation’s economy. But as many readers will be familiar, there are multiple and significant procedural and systemic challenges that often lead to inefficiencies and delays in the sector. While the government’s plan to digitise the property market by opening up property information to all parties involved in transactions is positive news for homeowners, the absence of a strategy to digitise and modernise the commercial real estate sector feels like a missed opportunity for unlocking yet more growth and productivity in the UK’s real estate market.

Of the challenges facing the sector, conveyancing, the legal process of transferring property ownership, is particularly complex and time-consuming. It involves numerous administrative tasks, including local authority searches, which can be particularly burdensome. These searches are essential for uncovering any potential issues with the property, such as planning restrictions or environmental hazards. However, the traditional methods of conducting these searches are often slow and inefficient, leading to delays in property transactions.

The reluctance to embrace modern technology in the conveyancing process is puzzling, especially given the government’s emphasis on economic growth and productivity. The UK government has repeatedly highlighted the importance of digitisation and innovation in driving economic progress. In other sectors, such as finance and healthcare, the adoption of digital technologies has led to significant improvements in efficiency and service delivery. The commercial real estate market, however, has been slower to adapt.

Embracing AI in conveyancing would represent a significant step forward in improving efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in the commercial real estate sector. At Search Acumen we have estimated that the average law firm could save 115 hours per month through automation, equating to over eight million hours annually across the sector. That is why we built our propriety AI tool to automate the analysis of local authority search data, significantly reducing the time and effort required for these tasks. This not only speeds up the conveyancing process but also reduces the risk of human error, which can lead to costly mistakes – last year, HM Land Registry estimated that paperwork containing mistakes could be costing law firms up to £19m per year in penalty fees. Despite the clear benefits of such technology, its adoption has been slow, and many in the industry continue to rely on outdated methods.

The cost of not adopting these technologies is high. Inefficiencies in the conveyancing process can lead to significant delays in property transactions, which can cause deals to fall through. This not only affects the parties involved in the transaction but also has broader economic implications. Delays in property transactions can slow down the overall pace of economic activity, as businesses and individuals are unable to move forward with their plans.

Moreover, the lack of modernisation in the conveyancing process can make the UK’s commercial real estate market less attractive to international investors. In a globalised economy, investors have a wide range of options, and they are likely to favour markets where transactions can be completed quickly and efficiently. By failing to modernise, the UK risks losing out on valuable investment opportunities.

To address these challenges, it is essential for the commercial real estate sector to embrace digitisation and modernisation. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including the government, industry bodies, and individual firms. The government can play a key role by promoting the benefits of digital technologies and providing support for their adoption. Industry bodies can help by raising awareness and providing training and resources to help firms transition to new methods. Individual firms, meanwhile, need to be open to change and willing to invest in new technologies.

The UK’s commercial real estate market has the potential to be a major driver of economic growth and productivity. However, to realise this potential, it is essential to address the inefficiencies and delays that currently plague the conveyancing process. By embracing digitisation and modernisation, the industry can improve efficiency, reduce delays, and make the UK a more attractive destination for investment. Failing to do so would be at odds with the government’s economic goals and could have significant long-term consequences for the UK economy.