4 Minute Read

Buying or selling a property can be an exciting milestone. However, the residential conveyancing process often comes with its share of delays. This can be frustrating and sometimes costly. Understanding the common causes of delays can help you implement strategies to manage them, reducing stress and keeping your property transaction on track.

Common causes of conveyancing delays

Incomplete documentation

Missing or incorrect paperwork can significantly delay the conveyancing process. Essential documents include property deeds, identification and financial records.

Slow responses

Delays frequently happen when parties involved in the transaction, like solicitors, estate agents or mortgage lenders, fail to respond promptly to inquiries or requests. At Askews, we strive for excellence when it comes to communication with clients, and we’ll hold other parties accountable on your behalf too.

Searches & surveys

Searches and surveys may cause delays, slowing down the process. Local authority searches, in particular, can take several weeks at times.

Issues in the property chain

If your transaction is a part of a chain, any delay in one link can impact the entire process.

Mortgage approvals

Getting a mortgage can take time because additional documentation or assessments are often necessary.

Title problems

There may be issues with the property’s title such as unclear ownership or existing legal disputes which can lead to significant delays.

Managing potential delays during the conveyancing process

If you’re buying or selling a house and want to move quickly, you’re probably wondering how to speed up the conveyancing process. The good news is that there are some easy steps you can take to help things move along faster. The even better news is that the right conveyancing solicitor in your corner will take care of most of these steps on your behalf.

Choose the right conveyancer

Therefore, the most important step is to select an experienced and proactive conveyancer. We’re here to guide you through the conveyancing process and minimise any delays in what can be a stressful experience.

Organise documentation early

Gather all necessary documents as soon as you can. This can help prevent any delays when documentation such as identification and any property-related paperwork is required.

Set clear communication channels

Establish regular communication with all parties. Schedule updates with your conveyancer and estate agent to stay informed and respond to their requests promptly.

Monitor the property chain

If you are in a property chain, stay in regular communication with your estate agent and keep track of progress in other transactions. This will help you stay informed about the chain’s status and prevent potential delays.

Secure mortgage pre-approval

Get pre-approved for a mortgage before beginning the conveyancing process. This can speed up the final approval and reduce the risk of delays caused by financing issues.

Address title issues promptly

Make sure your conveyancer conducts a thorough title review from the start. Addressing any title issues right away can help prevent delays as you approach the completion date.

Negotiate realistic timelines

Set realistic timescales for each stage of the process, being overambitious can lead to disappointment.

Stay flexible and remain patient

Despite best efforts, some delays are unavoidable. Staying flexible and patient can help manage stress and ensure any issues are addressed calmly and effectively.

How our residential conveyancing solicitors can help you

Delays are common in the conveyancing process, but they can be effectively managed with the right approach. We’re here to guide you through every step with a proactive strategy, ensuring a smoother and more efficient transaction.

You can take advantage of our competitive fixed fee arrangements which means that unexpected charges are one less thing that you’ll have to worry about.

For more details on our process and on what the costs entail, please Contact Us. Or, visit Conveyancing Services to learn more about what we do.

This content is for informational purposes and is not intended as advice of any kind.