Conveyancing in the UK is taking longer than ever, with the average transaction stretching to 22 weeks. For many buyers and sellers, the drawn-out process creates stress, uncertainty, and sometimes the collapse of a deal.
HM Land Registry records over 1.5 million property transactions annually in England and Wales, but outdated processes, poor communication, and missing paperwork often slow progress. Zoopla data indicates that nearly one in three property sales fall through because of complications or delays in the conveyancing stage.
Why transactions take so long
Although conveyancing is often expected to last 12–16 weeks, transactions involving property chains or incomplete paperwork can extend far beyond this. Common causes include:
Delays in ID and proof-of-funds checks
Slow local authority searches
Miscommunication between solicitors, buyers, and sellers
Queries left unanswered for long periods
These issues add cost as well as stress, especially when a chain breaks or a buyer risks losing their chosen property.
How to keep things moving
Step 1: Prepare documents in advance
Having proof of ID, address, and funds ready before a solicitor requests them helps avoid unnecessary delays. Bank statements, utility bills, and mortgage agreements are among the most common requirements.
Step 2: Prioritise quick responses
Each delay in answering questions from solicitors or estate agents slows progress. Buyers and sellers who treat conveyancing emails and calls as a priority can prevent weeks of standstill.
Step 3: Select a proactive solicitor
Before instructing, ask solicitors about their communication timescales, use of digital platforms, and typical completion timelines. Those who embrace modern processes are generally better at preventing avoidable delays.
Step 4: Use technology to reduce bottlenecks
Digital tools are now transforming the process. E-signatures, online portals, and secure file sharing limit paperwork problems and miscommunication, while electronic searches help shorten one of the biggest time-draining stages.
Step 5: Monitor searches and surveys
Local authority searches can take several weeks, so buyers should ask solicitors to order them at the earliest stage. Where possible, fast-track options can further reduce waiting time.
“Conveyancing doesn’t have to be a drawn-out process. In fact, with the right preparation and tools, transactions can move far more efficiently than most buyers and sellers realise,” said George Levett, property legal expert at Conveyancing Solicitor. “The first step is preparation: clients who provide ID, address verification, and proof of funds at the outset can save their solicitor valuable time chasing documents. I often see weeks wasted simply because paperwork wasn’t ready early enough.
“The second key factor is communication. Buyers and sellers who respond to queries within 24 hours keep the momentum going, whereas delayed responses can create a domino effect of holdups across the entire chain. This is where a proactive solicitor makes a real difference. They don’t just wait for things to happen; they chase updates, pre-empt obstacles, and keep clients informed.
“Finally, technology is accelerating the conveyancing process in remarkable ways. Online portals, secure digital document sharing, and e-signatures eliminate the need for paper-based back-and-forth. Even local authority searches, once notorious for delays, are becoming faster with online processing. My advice for anyone entering the market is simple: prepare your documents early, choose a solicitor who embraces digital tools, and stay engaged throughout the process. These steps can mean the difference between a frustrating wait and a smooth, timely move.”
