NLIS and SearchFlow celebrate 20 million conveyancing searches

In the year in which NLIS celebrates its tenth anniversary, its 20 millionth search was completed on behalf of Streeter Marshall solicitors. The request was for a property in Banstead and was processed and returned to Streeter Marshall in just 36 hours.

Since it began providing searches in 2001, NLIS has grown to become the UK’s largest conveyancing search provider, currently dealing with 6 in 10 of all electronic searches, the majority of which are processed through its lead channel, SearchFlow.

Since NLIS and SearchFlow began offering electronic searches, property values in England and Wales have risen by 73%. When NLIS first offered services, the world economy was reeling from the bursting of the dotcom bubble and the ill-fated AOL Time Warner merger had just been completed.

David Kempster, director of Searchflow said:

“We were at the cutting edge of the dotcom bubble – but unlike Boo.com and their ilk, our castle wasn’t made of sand and we’ve survived the test of time. To generate such a phenomenal number of searches within 10 years is a great achievement for both SearchFlow and NLIS.

"As the lead NLIS channel, we were there at the beginning and have been working hard for a decade to make sure NLIS searches are as reliable and easy to use as possible. The service is unique in the market, as NLIS offers the only 100% electronic search which provides secure and complete data direct to its clients.

"To have conducted 20 million searches in that time is testament to the success of our partnership.”

The milestone search was celebrated with a champagne reception at Land Data, the NLIS regulators’ offices, at which SearchFlow and Streeter Marshall were presented with gifts and certificates to mark the moment.

John Cooper, senior partner of Streeter Marshall, said:

“For such a prestigious number, it was a most uncontroversial search, with no issues and a delighted client.

"Throughout our years of using the NLIS service through SearchFlow it has delivered exactly what you need when you need it. It is utterly reliable and dependable. We are delighted to receive this most unexpected surprise.”