Conveyancing Timeline Checklist: Week-by-Week
Week-by-week UK conveyancing timeline from offer accepted to keys in hand. What your solicitor should be doing, what to expect when, questions to ask.
Quick answer
Typical UK conveyancing takes 12-16 weeks from offer accepted to completion. Cash buyers complete in 4-6. Major milestones: instruction (week 1), searches ordered (week 2), enquiries raised (weeks 3-4), mortgage offer (week 4-6), enquiries resolved (weeks 6-8), exchange (week 10-12), completion (week 11-14). Delays at the enquiries stage are the most common cause of chain collapse.
Conveyancing is unusually opaque. Buyers pay £1,500+, sign everything in week 1, then wait. Here's what your solicitor should be doing each week and the questions to ask if they're not.
Week 1: Instruction
You instruct your solicitor, pay the upfront search fee (£200-£400), complete client identification and the property information form. Solicitor receives the draft contract from the seller's solicitor.
Week 2: Searches ordered
Local authority search, water search, environmental search ordered. Local authority is the slowest, typically 4-6 weeks in 2026 in most councils. If the property is in a high-risk area (flood, mining, contaminated land) additional searches.
Weeks 3-4: Enquiries raised
Your solicitor reviews the contract, title plan and Property Information Forms (TA6, TA10, TA13). Raises enquiries with the seller's solicitor on anything unclear. This is where issues surface: boundary disputes, planning irregularities, missing guarantees on alterations.
Weeks 4-6: Mortgage offer issued
Lender's valuer visits the property. Mortgage offer issued (typically valid 3-6 months). Your solicitor receives the mortgage offer and checks it for conditions.
Weeks 6-8: Enquiries resolved, searches returned
Seller's solicitor responds to enquiries. Local authority search returns. Your solicitor reports to you on the property, highlighting any issues. You sign the contract and pay the deposit (held in solicitor's client account).
Weeks 9-10: Pre-exchange checks
Final mortgage advance instructions, deposit cleared, all enquiries resolved. Solicitor confirms readiness to exchange. Buildings insurance arranged from exchange date.
Week 10-12: Exchange of contracts
Contracts exchanged. Deposit (typically 5-10% of purchase price) becomes legally binding. Completion date set, typically 2-4 weeks after exchange.
Week 11-14: Completion
Solicitor receives mortgage funds, transfers to seller's solicitor. Seller's solicitor confirms receipt. Keys released. You pay Stamp Duty within 14 days. Title registered at HM Land Registry over the following 2-3 months.
Common delay points
- Local authority searches taking 6-8+ weeks
- Lender raising additional valuation conditions
- Missing planning consents on past alterations (lack of building regs sign-off)
- Leasehold management company taking 4-6 weeks to provide LPE1 forms
- Chain coordination: one party not ready holds up everyone
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