Property transactions can be stressful and it is understandable that clients wish to know how matters are progressing. However, frequent requests for updates can sometimes have the unintended consequence of slowing down the transaction.
Every update request requires time to:
Review the file
Check the latest position
Contact third parties where necessary
Prepare and provide a response
Where multiple parties in a chain are making repeated requests for updates (client estate agent mortgage broker ), a significant amount of time can be spent responding to enquiries rather than progressing the legal work itself.
It is also important to understand that conveyancers are often dependent upon information from third parties, including:
Mortgage lenders
Local authorities
Managing agents
Freeholders
Other solicitors
In many cases there may simply be no substantive update available until a response has been received.
I appreciate that clients want to remain informed throughout their transaction. My approach is to provide updates whenever there is meaningful progress and to keep clients advised of any issues which may affect timescales.
Where there is no substantive development, clients can be reassured that work continues behind the scenes and that they will be contacted as soon as there is significant progress to report.