UK Conveyancing Timeline: What to Expect When Buying or Selling a Home

Conveyancing in England and Wales typically takes 8-12 weeks from offer accepted to completion — but chains, mortgage delays, and slow local searches can push that well past three months. Here's what actually happens at each stage.

Weeks 1-2: Instruction and initial paperwork

Your solicitor opens the file, carries out identity and anti-money-laundering checks, and sends out the draft contract (if you're selling) or requests it (if you're buying).

Weeks 3-6: Searches, enquiries, and mortgage offer

Local authority, drainage, and environmental searches are ordered for the buyer. Your solicitor raises enquiries based on the results and the seller's property information forms. This is usually the slowest stage — some local authorities take 3-4 weeks just to return searches.

Weeks 7-9: Exchange of contracts

Once enquiries are resolved, the mortgage offer is in, and both sides are ready, contracts are exchanged and a completion date is fixed. This is the point of no legal return — pulling out after exchange has financial consequences.

Weeks 9-12: Completion

Funds transfer, keys are released, and the property is registered with the Land Registry in your name (this last step can take weeks or months to formally complete, though it doesn't affect your ability to move in).

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