NAVRO Compliance Responds to UK Finance Handbook Access Announcement
NAVRO Compliance has expressed its disappointment following the recent announcement by UK Finance regarding changes to access arrangements for the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook.
As the leading supplier of enhanced Handbook Reports, to the conveyancing sector, NAVRO has been actively engaged in discussions with UK Finance for more than six months, contributing insight and sector experience through what was presented as a consultative process.
However, the announcement represents a final decision by UK Finance, made without notification of its conclusion and without prior knowledge of NAVRO, despite ongoing discussions.
Throughout those discussions, NAVRO Compliance made clear its view that charging conveyancers for access to data held by UK Finance as custodians for lenders, and which is essential to the conveyancing process, is the wrong approach.
NAVRO presented a number of alternative options for monetising the process, each of which preserved free access for conveyancers, but received no response to these proposals prior to Tuesday’s announcement.
One such option was the licensing of data to third-party suppliers, enabling them to develop solutions, enhancements and innovation around the service. Crucially, this model would ensure that the use of any third-party solution remains a matter of choice for conveyancers, while maintaining free access to the core lookup service.
This approach would allow UK Finance to recover the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the system without the adverse impact and the resulting outrage across the conveyancing sector that has followed the current announcement.
NAVRO is concerned that the introduction of charges for conveyancers, alongside significant licensing fees for third-party commercial providers, risks creating barriers to competition and limiting innovation within the sector.
Need for transparency and fairness.
As an industry body, UK Finance plays a pivotal role in shaping how conveyancers interact with lender requirements. Where consultation takes place, firms and suppliers must be able to rely on it as a genuine process, with transparency around intent, direction and likely outcomes.
As reflected in the comments made today by the Law Society, it is evident that consultation feedback has been ignored and the changes are being forced through without proper regard to the consultation process.
NAVRO recognises the need for modernisation and secure access controls. However, these objectives must be pursued in a way that is predictable, transparent and fair, and that does not inadvertently destabilise the wider conveyancing ecosystem.
Commitment to collaboration and solutions
NAVRO Compliance remains committed to working constructively with UK Finance. Our focus is on providing solutions for our clients - conveyancers and third-party providers that uphold compliance standards and serve the best interests of end clients.
We have reached out to UK Finance seeking further dialogue and clarity and will continue to engage openly and responsibly. Our priority remains unchanged: supporting conveyancers with trusted, auditable compliance solutions in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
Further updates will be shared as discussions progress.