Conveyancing Timescales
Understanding How Long the Conveyancing Process Takes
One of the most common questions when buying or selling a property is how long the conveyancing process will take. There is no single timescale for every transaction, but understanding the different stages can help you know what to expect and what may affect your completion date.
This section of our Conveyancing Guides explains typical conveyancing timescales, including how long the overall process can take, property search times, the period between exchange and completion and practical ways to help keep your transaction moving.
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How Long Does Conveyancing Take?
The time needed to complete conveyancing can vary considerably from one property transaction to another.
A relatively straightforward transaction may progress more quickly, while a long property chain, leasehold property, mortgage delays or legal issues requiring further investigation can all add time to the process.
Different parts of the transaction also progress at different speeds. Property searches may be underway while a mortgage application is being processed and legal enquiries are being raised or answered.
This means that conveyancing does not always follow a simple week-by-week timetable. Progress can depend on several people and organisations completing different tasks before the buyer and seller are ready to exchange contracts.
Our guides below explain the main conveyancing timescales in more detail and look at what can help a transaction progress as efficiently as possible.
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What Can Affect Conveyancing Timescales?
Every property transaction is different, and there are several reasons one transaction may take longer than another. Some factors can be influenced by the buyer or seller, while others depend on third parties or issues that emerge during the legal work.
Property Searches
Search turnaround times can vary according to the searches required, the property location and the organisations providing the information.
Mortgage Arrangements
Where a buyer needs a mortgage, the transaction may depend on the lender completing its valuation, issuing a mortgage offer and satisfying any requirements before funds can be released.
Legal Enquiries
The buyer’s conveyancer may need further information or clarification before recommending that the buyer proceeds. More complicated issues can require additional enquiries and supporting documents.
The Property Chain
When several sales and purchases are linked together, everyone in the chain generally needs to be ready before exchange and completion can be coordinated. A delay elsewhere in the chain can therefore affect your transaction.
The Property & Legal Title
Leasehold properties, shared ownership and properties with unusual or complicated title issues can involve additional documentation, third parties or legal work.
Communication & Response Times
How quickly buyers, sellers, conveyancers, estate agents, lenders and other organisations provide information and respond to requests can all influence how quickly a transaction progresses.
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Conveyancing Timescales
How long conveyancing can take, individual stage timescales and ways to help keep a transaction moving.
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