How Long Does Conveyancing Take?
Conveyancing in the UK typically takes between 10 and 14 weeks from the point of offer acceptance to completion, though this varies widely. Chain-free transactions with efficient solicitors can complete in 6–8 weeks. Complex chains, leasehold properties, or slow search returns can push timelines to 20 weeks or more.
| Scenario | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| No chain, cash buyer | 4–6 weeks |
| No chain, mortgage buyer | 6–10 weeks |
| Short chain (1–2 properties) | 10–14 weeks |
| Long chain (3+ properties) | 14–20+ weeks |
| Leasehold transaction | 12–18 weeks |
| New-build property | Varies — often tied to build completion |
The Conveyancing Process: Stage by Stage
Stage 1: Instruct Your Solicitor (Week 1–2)
Once your offer is accepted and verbally agreed, instruct your conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer as soon as possible. They will send you a client care letter, identity verification forms, and a questionnaire about the property and transaction.
For sellers, this is when you'll complete the TA6 Property Information Form (disclosing everything material about the property) and the TA10 Fittings and Contents Form (specifying what is and isn't included in the sale).
Stage 2: Conveyancing Searches (Week 2–6)
Your solicitor orders a set of conveyancing searches — official enquiries to various authorities about the property and land:
- Local authority search — planning permissions, enforcement orders, road adoption, conservation areas
- Environmental search — flood risk, contaminated land, radon gas levels
- Drainage and water search — whether the property is connected to mains water and drainage
- Chancel repair search — whether the property could be liable for historic church repair costs
Searches typically take 2–6 weeks depending on the local authority. Some areas (like London boroughs) are faster; rural areas can take longer.
Stage 3: Enquiries and Negotiation (Week 3–8)
Your solicitor raises formal enquiries with the seller's solicitor — questions arising from the searches, the property information forms, or the draft contract. Common enquiries cover:
- Planning permissions for any extensions or alterations
- Building regulations certificates for any work carried out
- Boiler and electrical installation certificates
- Rights of way, easements, or boundaries
- Service charge accounts and management information (for leasehold)
Stage 4: Mortgage Offer (Week 3–6)
Your mortgage lender will issue a formal mortgage offer once their valuation is complete and your application is approved. Your solicitor will check the offer conditions and report to you on the terms before you proceed to exchange.
Stage 5: Report on Title (Week 6–10)
Your solicitor prepares a report on title — a comprehensive summary of everything they've discovered about the property, the search results, the mortgage offer, and any conditions or issues you should be aware of. You'll be asked to sign the contract and transfer deed at this stage.
Stage 6: Exchange of Contracts (Week 8–12)
Exchange of contracts is the critical legal milestone in the property purchase process. At this point:
- Both parties sign and exchange identical copies of the contract
- The buyer pays a deposit — typically 10% of the purchase price — to the seller's solicitor
- A completion date is set and agreed by all parties
- The transaction becomes legally binding — pulling out after this point will cost you your deposit
⚠️ Important: Your buildings insurance must be in place from the date of exchange — not completion. As the buyer, you're legally responsible for the property from exchange.
Stage 7: Completion Day (Week 10–14+)
Completion day is when legal ownership of the property transfers to you. Here's what happens:
- Your solicitor transfers the remaining purchase funds (minus your deposit) to the seller's solicitor
- Once the seller's solicitor confirms receipt, you're notified and can collect the keys
- Your solicitor pays your Stamp Duty Land Tax to HMRC (within 14 days)
- Your solicitor registers the property in your name at the Land Registry
What Can Delay Conveyancing?
The most common causes of conveyancing delays are:
- Slow local authority searches — some councils take 6–10 weeks
- Slow responses to enquiries — sellers may take time to gather documents
- Mortgage offer delays — particularly for self-employed applicants or unusual properties
- Leasehold management pack — freeholders can take weeks to provide service charge accounts
- Property chain issues — a problem anywhere in the chain can hold up everyone
- Change of circumstances — job changes, relationship breakdowns, surveyor findings
Tips to Speed Up Conveyancing
- Instruct your solicitor immediately after offer acceptance — don't wait for a formal written offer from the estate agent
- Respond to solicitor requests promptly — delays in returning forms or documents are one of the most common client-side causes of delay
- Use an efficient, proactive solicitor — this is exactly why comparing and reading reviews matters. Cheap but slow solicitors cost you more in the long run.
- Use online/digital conveyancing platforms — many modern conveyancers use secure portals that speed up document exchange significantly
- Have your mortgage in principle agreed before making an offer — this speeds up the formal offer stage considerably