Home buying and selling reform and the role of property logbooks

In the first episode of the latest series of the Today's Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie dives into the fast‑evolving world of digital property logbooks joined by Sally Holdway, Director of Homeowners Passport and Sale & Purchase Lead at the Residential Logbook Association (RLBA), and Nigel Walley, CEO of Chimni and Chair of the RLBA.

Recorded in the run up to the end of the government's home buying and selling consultation, the discussion explores a view of home moving with property logbooks at the heart of the transaction. 

Both Sally and Nigel explain how much of the work done by the RLBA has flown under the radar. While public momentum around logbooks may have seemed slow, Nigel makes it clear that providers have been quietly building the infrastructure for years. Over half a million logbooks are already in circulation, with estate agents and conveyancers steadily adopting them.

Success though will be reliant on the information contained in logbooks being 'conveyancer grade' adds Sally; accurate, trusted, and sourced to the same standards conveyancers rely on. That means Land Registry feeds, LLC1 data, and protocol‑compliant forms - not lightweight consumer tools

Its a core theme of government's consultation on material information and digital sale packs. Both highlight how logbooks sit at the centre of this shift. Digital sale‑ready packs built from title documents, plans, leases, and protocol forms allow conveyancers to issue contracts the same day an offer is accepted. Time savings of up to 20% are already being recorded.

And then there is the long term value not just in terms of an archive for the property data, but also a foundation for an ongoing relationship with their conveyancer. This is the modern equivalent of the old deeds store; only smarter, searchable, and always up to date.

If conveyancers want efficiency, reduced risk, and stronger client retention, the message from the RLBA is clear: logbooks are no longer emerging, they’re here.

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.