UK Finance’s decision to introduce a charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook has drawn criticism from leading industry bodies.

From 1 June 2026, conveyancers will be required to pay a £50 (+VAT) fee per user to register and access the handbook. The move introduces a mandatory charge for guidance that has previously been provided free of charge and is widely regarded as essential to the conveyancing process.

“We are extremely disappointed that despite the clear objections we have raised on behalf of our members, UK Finance is proceeding with charging conveyancers to access the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook,” said Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans.

“Conveyancers have no choice but to use the handbook for each transaction. A situation is being created where conveyancers will now have to pay lenders when providing a legal service to them.

“This compulsory charge is being imposed on conveyancers without any serious consultation or communication with the sector. It will increase the cost of conveyancing for conveyancers and ultimately for their clients.”

CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) has also hit out at UK Finance’s charging model for the new Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook platform.

A spokesperson said: “CILEX supports efforts to modernise the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook, but the proposed charging model risks landing conveyancing lawyers with an unavoidable new bill. Because the Handbook is mandatory when acting for lenders, an individual user fee would amount to a compulsory cost of doing business, with no realistic alternative.

“That leaves firms facing a stark choice: absorb the cost at a time when conveyancing margins are already under strain or pass it on to clients and push up the cost of moving home yet again. Either option adds financial pressure in a sector where affordability is already stretched.”