How Long Does Conveyancing Take with No Chain?

If you’re wondering how long does conveyancing take with no chain, the answer is it’s a lot faster than when you’re dealing with a property chain. “No chain” means it’s an isolated transaction with no other property sale or purchase involved to complete the process. 

With no other sales or purchases involved, the process is faster. Although it still goes through several legal steps, a single transaction eliminates several potential delays. 

In this article, you’ll learn what a property chain is, why it causes more delays than a no-chain transaction and what the conveyancing process is like when no chain is involved. You’ll also discover the factors that could slow down the process and how you can keep it moving efficiently. 

What is a Property Chain? 

A property chain is a sequence of linked property transactions where the sale and purchase are dependent on one another. 

For instance, Seller A is selling to Seller B, who is selling to Buyer A. Seller B needs to complete the transaction with Buyer A so they’ll have funds to pay Seller A. 

The property chain will only end if it involves a buyer with no intention of selling or a seller with no intention of buying. While this is a common occurrence in the UK, it comes with a risk. 

If Buyer A ends up backing out of the agreement, Seller B won’t be able to buy Seller A’s property. This will cause delays as Seller B has to find another buyer before the property chain continues. 

Why Do Property Chains Delay Conveyancing? 

The more people included in the property chain, the higher the chances of delays and a longer conveyancing process. One link can either delay or collapse the whole chain. 

Remember, each link has a buyer or seller, conveyancer or solicitor, mortgage lender, estate agent, etc. Each has their own schedule and work pace. If the conveyancer is slower to complete the documents or submit requirements and applications, this will have a ripple effect on the rest of the chain. 

If Seller B encounters problems with their property, Buyer A won’t be able to complete the transaction. Or if Buyer A suddenly has a personal setback, this can affect the chain. Their solicitor or conveyancer might encounter issues with the documents, thereby affecting the moving dates. Mortgage lenders and estate agents can also cause delays. 

You can learn more about how a property chain works in our detailed guide to property chains.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take on Average With No Chain? 

The average conveyancing takes 8 to 12 weeks, it takes longer if the property is part of a chain. 

What if it’s a no-chain property? How long to complete the conveyancing process? 

With an isolated transaction and fewer risks of delay, it would take 5 to 8 weeks to complete. Of course, this would still depend on the efficiency of the conveyancer or solicitor. The more efficient they are in gathering the requirements and documents, the faster the process will be. 

Although some complications can’t be avoided, having a competent and experienced conveyancer means they can navigate hurdles with ease and professionalism. 

How Does Having No Chain Speed Up Conveyancing? 

With property transactions being isolated, you only have one property and fewer people to deal with. This means you’ll enjoy a more streamlined conveyancing. You don’t have to wait on different buyers and sellers or worry about a broken chain affecting the property transaction. There won’t be multiple delays from survey disputes, financial troubles or unresolved title problems – among others. 

Dealing with a no-chain property also means your conveyancer or solicitor can focus on one transaction. It reduces the complexity of the conveyancing process, so aligning timelines is easier, processing documents is faster and exchanging contracts happens sooner. There’s a higher chance of having completion dates finalised and met. 

Step-by-Step Conveyancing Process Without a Chain 

With or without a chain, the conveyancing process follows the same set of legal steps. It’s just more complex with a property chain since having more people and properties means the risk of delays is higher. 

Here’s how the process usually happens: 

Step 1: Instruction & Identity Checks 

After a seller receives an offer from a buyer and the former decides to accept, they will agree to move forward. They’ll each get in touch with their respective conveyancers to instruct them. 

This means the conveyancer or solicitor will check the identity of all parties involved (buyer and seller) through ID and anti-money laundering checks. They will also issue terms of engagement. 

Without a property chain, this can be done in a matter of days, or maybe even less. 

Step 2: Property Searches & Contracts 

At this point, the solicitors of both parties would take care of different tasks.  

The seller’s solicitor will start drafting the contract and get the title deed and property information. 

The buyer’s solicitor will order property searches (e.g. local authority, environmental and water/drainage). 

Most conveyancers would ask for monies on account to cover any third-party disbursements related to the transaction (e.g getting a copy of the property title from the Land Registry or doing property searches). 

Step 3: Enquiries & Mortgage 

The next step would involve enquiries. 

Once the seller’s conveyancer sends the contract pack, the buyer’s conveyancer will review the title and raise enquiries when applicable. If the buyer plans to get a mortgage to fund the purchase, their conveyancer will review the mortgage deed sent by the lender and other special conditions attached. If everything checks out, the buyer will get a copy of the mortgage deed to sign. 

The seller’s conveyancer will also proceed to order a redemption statement from the mortgage lender, if any. This will indicate the balance of the mortgage. 

Step 4: Exchange of Contracts 

Both buyer and seller will get property reports from their respective conveyancers to inform them of any issues or the lack of it. Legal advice will be provided, and the report will also include the Contract and Transfer for review. 

If everything goes well, the buyer should be ready with the deposit to move forward with the exchange of contracts. After enquiries are resolved and finances confirmed, the buyer and seller will sign the contracts. Once exchanged, the whole transaction becomes legally binding. 

Step 5: Completion 

After the exchange of contracts, a completion date will be set. This is usually a couple of days after the exchange was made, or around 7 to 14 days. During this time, the mortgage transfer is facilitated and confirmed by the conveyancers. Once the transfer is confirmed, the buyer’s conveyancer will pick up the keys. 

On the completion date, the keys are handed over to the buyer. 

If you’re new to the legal side of homebuying, learn what conveyancing is before you start. 

What Factors Can Still Cause Delays Without a Chain? 

Although no chain transactions are faster, that doesn’t mean delays are eliminated. There’s always a chance of delays and these are the factors that can cause them. 

• Slow communication between the conveyancer/solicitor and the buyer/seller. 
• Mortgage processing problems, especially with approvals, requirement processing, transfers, etc. 
• Title issues like leasehold disputes, incomplete documents, etc. 
• Survey complications that reveal structural damages, major repairs, mould issues, etc. 
• Search delays that are caused by local authority processes (depending on the local council). 

Partnering with the right conveyancer or solicitor can minimise these delays. Proactive management and good communication are among the qualities you should look for in a conveyancer to prevent hold-ups. 

How to Speed Up the Conveyancing Process 

Speeding up the conveyancing process is possible with the right strategy. Here are tips to quickly complete the process. 

• Instruct your conveyancer as early as possible. Talk to a conveyancer even before you’ve found a seller or buyer. Familiarise yourself with the process to get a head start by days or weeks. 
• Choose the right conveyancer. Look for a firm known for offering the quickest conveyancing process. They should use technology and automation (e.g. digital ID checks, online case tracking, etc) to expedite the process. 
• Be quick to communicate. If the conveyancer sends forms or requests for documents, comply immediately. The sooner you return the requirements, the faster they can proceed to the next step. 
• Stay in contact. Communicating regularly is the key to completing the conveyancing process faster. Any miscommunication can cause delays, and you want to minimise these as much as you can. 

Are you looking for a quick sale? Check out our guide on How to Sell Your House Quickly. 

Aim for a Fast No-Chain Property Transaction 

Buying or selling a no-chain property increases the chances of a quick conveyancing process. It has fewer parties involved and which decreases delays that could affect the overall transaction. 

While delays can still happen, choosing the right conveyancer or solicitor can minimise them. Look for a conveyancing firm that specialises in quick conveyancing processes and has a reputation for prompt communication and proactive management. 

Muve is a conveyancing company that uses property expertise, technology and automation to expedite the conveyancing process so buyers and sellers can reach completion earlier. Whether you’re buying your first house or selling an investment property, Muve can help you avoid surprises and keep the conveyancing experience quick and stress-free. Get in touch with us so we can discuss how to make your move as fast as possible.