Buying or selling a property is exciting, but the conveyancing process can often feel slow. One of the biggest frustrations for buyers and sellers are delays. What might seem like a straightforward transaction can end up taking weeks or even months, leaving those involved feeling like they are in limbo.
Conveyancing involves a series of legal and administrative steps that are in place to protect all of those involved. These steps mean there are multiple points in the conveyancing process where delays can occur. However, some of these delays are avoidable. By understanding the most common causes for delays in conveyancing, you can take actions to keep your transaction moving forward.
Why does conveyancing take so long?
The conveyancing process is not completed by a single person or organisation; it is split between different companies and third parties. These typically include the buyer, seller, their solicitors or conveyancers, mortgage lenders, surveyors, estate agents, and local authorities. Each party has their own responsibilities, timelines, and processes.
Because of this, the process is limited by the speed of the slowest party. For example, a delay in receiving search results or mortgage approval can hold up everything else, even if all other areas are ready to move forwards.
Property chains make this more complicated. In a chain, multiple transactions are linked together, meaning each sale depends on another to move forward. If one transaction is delayed, whether due to paperwork issues, mortgage problems, or a change of circumstances, it can create a domino effect across the entire chain.
The most common conveyancing delays (and how to avoid them)
Slow property searches
Property searches are a crucial part of the conveyancing process, providing important information about the property and surrounding area. However, certain searches, particularly local authority searches, can take several weeks to be returned, depending on the local council and what their capacity is like.
In busy areas or during peak periods, this stage can cause a significant hold up, especially if searches are not ordered promptly.
The best way to minimise delays is to instruct your solicitor or conveyancer as early as possible, ideally as soon as your offer is accepted. This allows them to order searches straight away.
You can also ask your conveyancer how long searches usually take in your area to get a better idea of the length of time they will take and whether any expedited services are available.
Mortgage delays
If you’re buying with a mortgage, your lender plays another part in the process. Delays can happen if your application is unsuccessful, if additional checks are needed, or if there are issues with the property valuation.
Even small delays, such as missing documents or slow responses, can push back your mortgage offer and, in turn, your transaction. Make sure you have a mortgage agreement in principle before making an offer, this shows you are a serious buyer and can help to speed up the formal application process.
Once you apply, make sure you provide all requested documents quickly. Staying in regular contact with your lender or broker can also help identify and resolve issues before they cause any delays.
Incomplete or incorrect paperwork
Conveyancing involves a considerable amount of paperwork, from identity checks to property information forms and contracts. Missing signatures, incorrect details, or delays in returning documents are a common cause of hold-ups.
Even small errors can require documents to be reissued or rechecked, adding unnecessary time to the process.Be careful when completing any paperwork and double check all details before submitting. If you’re unsure about anything, ask your conveyancer rather than just guessing.
It’s also important to respond to requests promptly and keep your documents organised and easily accessible, so you can provide them when needed.
Property chains
Property chains are one of the most unpredictable aspects of buying or selling a home. When multiple buyers and sellers are linked together, each transaction depends on the others progressing smoothly.
If one party experiences mortgage issues, survey problems, or a change of circumstances, it can affect everyone else in the chain. In some cases, a chain can collapse entirely, forcing the process to start over again.
While you can’t control other people in the chain, you can reduce your risks. For example, choosing a chain-free property or buyer can make the process much simpler.
Having regular communication with your estate agent and conveyancer can also help you stay informed about the chain’s progress and give you the opportunity to address any issues immediately.
Issues raised in surveys
Property surveys are designed to uncover potential problems, such as structural defects, damp, or roof issues. While these surveys are valuable, they can cause delays if further investigations are needed or if the buyer decides to renegotiate the price based on their findings.
In some cases, buyers may decide to pull out of the transaction altogether, which can disrupt the entire process.
Booking your survey early gives you more time to address any issues without delaying later stages. It’s also wise to budget for potential repairs so you’re prepared if problems are identified.
If issues do arise, aim to negotiate promptly and realistically. Drawn out negotiations can slow down progress and increase the risk of the transaction falling through completely.
Legal title problems
Legal issues relating to the property title can be complex and time consuming to resolve. These might include boundary disputes, missing rights of way, restrictive covenants, or unregistered land.
These issues often require additional investigation, documentation, or legal clarification, which can significantly lengthen timelines.
For sellers, providing as much information as possible upfront can help identify and address potential problems early. For buyers, working with an experienced conveyancer is essential, they can spot issues quickly and advise on the best course of action.
Delays from the other party’s solicitor
Sometimes, delays are simply due to slow communication or heavy workloads on the other side of the transaction. Waiting for responses to enquiries or document approvals can be frustrating, especially when everything else is ready to move forward.
Choosing a proactive, communicative conveyancer can make a significant difference. A good conveyancer will regularly follow up with the other side and keep you informed of progress.
While you can’t control another conveyancer’s actions, polite and consistent chasing, often via your own conveyancer or estate agent, can help keep things moving.
How long should conveyancing take?
On average conveyancing takes around 16 to 20 weeks from offer acceptance to completion. However, this is only a general guideline.
Factors such as property chains, search delays, mortgage processing times, and legal challenges can all make the process take longer. In more complicated cases, it’s not unusual for the process to take several months.
Understanding this from the outset can help you manage expectations and reduce stress if things take longer than anticipated.
Practical tips to keep your conveyancing moving
There are several simple but effective steps you can take to lessen delays:
- Instruct your conveyancer as soon as possible, even before you find a buyer or property
- Respond promptly to emails, calls, and document requests
- Keep all paperwork organised and ready to access
- Maintain regular communication with your conveyancer and estate agent
- Be proactive in resolving any issues that arise
- Set realistic expectations and allow some flexibility in your timeline
Small actions like these can have a big impact on how smoothly your transaction progresses.
When conveyancing delays are unavoidable
Some delays are beyond your control, local authority backlogs, lender processing times, and unexpected complications can all slow things down.
In these situations, the best approach is to stay informed and have regular communication with your conveyancer. Understanding what’s causing the delay, and what’s being done to resolve it, can make the process feel more manageable.
Patience is often necessary, but staying on top of things makes sure that the process continues to move forward.
Conveyancing delays are a common part of the property buying and selling process, but they don’t have to upset your plans. By understanding the most common causes of delays and taking steps to avoid them, you can help keep your transaction on track.
