What Are Typical Conveyancing Timelines for Buying a Freehold House in England? 

The average conveyancing timelines for buying freehold properties in England take approximately 16 weeks. Delays are still possible, but they can be minimised when you work with a conveyancing company that uses digital tools to expedite the process and keep the timeline within 8 to 12 weeks. 

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Conveyancing timelines for buying a freehold house in England typically take 16 weeks, from the buyer’s offer being accepted to the completion date when the keys are handed over. 

Delays could extend this timeline, especially given the third-party involvement in the conveyancing process. Among the causes of delay are: 

• Slow local authority searches 

• Complex property chains 

• Late or incomplete paperwork 

• Unresolved enquiries 

• Poor communication between parties 

Working with a digital-first conveyancer gives you access to tech-powered tools and AI systems to reduce unnecessary delays. These include DocuSign (a remote signing system), automated ID verification, AI-driven risk-detection tools, and digital title checks. Proactive communication and a 24/7 online Client Portal are also crucial for minimising unnecessary back-and-forth and expediting the process, sometimes in as little as 5 weeks (in exceptional cases and subject to third-party cooperation). 

What happens during conveyancing timelines for freehold purchases in England? 

Conveyancing timelines for freehold properties in England go through several stages. The first stage begins when the buyer’s offer is accepted, and the final one happens at completion. 

To understand how long conveyancing timelines can take, here are the typical stages (and the weeks they usually happen) and the delays that commonly occur at each stage. 

Stage 1 (Weeks 1-4): Instruction 

What happens: 

• Buyers instruct the conveyancer 

• The conveyancer: 

• Receives the draft contract pack from the seller’s conveyancer 

• Reviews title documents and raises initial enquiries 

What can cause delays: 

• Late instruction 

• Incomplete paperwork 

What buyers can do: 

• Instruct a conveyancer immediately after your offer is accepted 

• Complete ID checks and verify your source of funds immediately 

• Upload documents promptly after the request is given 

How conveyancers minimise delays: 

• Use digital onboarding and conduct automated ID verification upfront 

• Assign a dedicated point of contact (account manager) to work with the conveyancer and ensure regular reporting, and minimise follow-ups 

• Provide access to a 24/7 case-tracking portal for real-time updates 

Stage 2 (Weeks 4-10): Searches and surveys 

What happens: 

• The conveyancer orders local authority, water, drainage, and environmental searches 

• Buyers arrange a property survey 

What can cause delays: 

• Slow turnaround of local authority searches, especially when the volume is high 

• Additional location-specific searches 

What buyers can do: 

• Decide on what type of survey (full structural report or HomeBuyer Report) you want and book it immediately 

• Respond quickly is additional searches are recommended 

How conveyancers minimise delays: 

• Promptly order searches, ideally at the start of the transaction 

• Use local expertise to identify region-specific risks early 

• Use AI-driven risk detection tools to flag issues before causing delay 

Stage 3 (Weeks 10-14): Enquiries and Mortgage offer 

What happens: 

• The conveyancer raises follow-up enquiries based on the search and survey results 

• The mortgage lender issues a formal offer 

What can cause delays: 

• Slow response from the seller and their conveyancer, as well as third parties involved 

• Mortgage conditions require additional checks and requirements 

What buyers can do 

• Chase your mortgage broker or lender to get an offer promptly 

• Review enquiries quickly 

• Sign documents electronically as soon as they are ready 

How conveyancers minimise delays: 

• Implement proactive communication and structured follow-ups 

• Dedicate an account manager to keep everyone accountable 

• Use DocuSign remote signing to avoid postal delays 

Stage 4 (Weeks 14-16+): Exchange and completion 

What happens: 

• Contracts are exchanged (making the transaction legally binding) 

• Completion happens after 1-2 weeks (handing over of keys) 

What can cause delays: 

• Property chains are not ready 

• Late release of funds 

What buyers can do: 

• Ensure deposit funds are available before exchange 

• Arrange documents needed at exchange (e.g., building insurance) 

How conveyancers minimise delays: 

• Secure fast exchange to reduce last-minute issues 

• Ensure transparent fixed-legal-fee pricing, where disbursements are also itemised to help buyers secure funds early 

• Offer services like Muve Lightspeed, a conveyancing service upgrade that aims to complete exchange in 5 weeks (subject to third-party timelines). 

Property chains vs no chain 

One factor affecting your conveyancing timeline is whether the transaction is part of a property chain or chain-free. A property chain links multiple transactions. For instance, a seller sells property A to buy property B. If one transaction fails, it can affect the other. 

A no-chain transaction is more straightforward because it involves only one buyer and one seller. This means its conveyancing process is faster compared to a property chain. 

Muve’s conveyancing timeline 

Muve completes these stages in 8 to 12 weeks, 4 weeks faster than the industry average. With Muve Lightspeed, the timeline accelerates to 5 weeks (unless third-party issues delay the process). 

While Muve uses a system designed to expedite the conveyancing process, the actual timeline will be affected by the complexity of the transaction, title issues, and the efficiency with which each stage is managed. 

The Average Conveyancing Timeline for Freehold Properties 

The average conveyancing timeline when buying freehold properties in England is 16 to 18 weeks. But with the right conveyancer, you can shorten this timeline and move faster. 

Muve is committed to providing fast conveyancing. We have created a process that combines national coverage with local knowledge, digital tools, and transparent fixed-fee pricing to reduce delays. We are also proactive in communicating and providing progress reports to keep the case progress moving. 

Our CLC-licensed conveyancers follow a process designed to deliver the fastest conveyancing timeline without compromising legal accuracy. 

If you’re buying a freehold property in England and you want the move to happen as fast as possible, Muve’s conveyancing service is perfect for you. Our Muve Lightspeed targets an exchange in 5 weeks for freehold properties, subject to no third-party issues. With a faster exchange, you’ll minimise the chances of gazumping and fall-throughs. 

Find out if Muve’s conveyancing service is perfect for your needs. Click to get a quote. We’ll provide an itemised conveyancing quote within a minute of receiving your details.

FAQs: Conveyancing Timelines for Freehold Properties 

How long does conveyancing usually take for a freehold house? 

In England, the conveyancing timeline for freehold properties is 16 to 18 weeks. This covers the instruction to completion.

Straightforward cases, such as no-chain properties, can be processed faster, especially if you work with a proactive conveyancer with a digital-first approach.

Muve’s conveyancing service uses AI and technology to deliver fast conveyancing 4 weeks faster than the industry average, without sacrificing legal accuracy. An account manager and a CLC-licensed conveyancer work together to keep the case moving and provide clients with weekly reports. This reduces delays and minimises follow-ups.

What causes the biggest delays in conveyancing?

The biggest delay in conveyancing is caused by communication and title issues, as well as slow third-party timelines. Long property chains can also prolong the conveyancing process. 

Muve proactively reduces these delays through: 

• CLC-licensed conveyancers with local expertise to identify region-specific risks 
• Digital onboarding and automated ID verification 
• Early search orders 
• AI-driven risk detection tools to flag issues immediately 
• Dedicated point of contact who will provide weekly reports so clients know what’s next

Muve designed its conveyancing service to deliver a fast exchange, with our fastest timeline targeting an exchange in 5 weeks through Muve Lightspeed (subject to third-party timelines). 

Does using an online conveyancer speed up the process? 

Yes, using an online conveyancer could speed up the process, provided they take a proactive, digital-first approach.

Muve combines proactive efforts with AI-driven tools and innovative technology to ensure the fastest conveyancing process for buyers and sellers. Since communication happens online, clients rely on Muve’s 24/7 Client Portal for real-time updates.

Muve clients also receive weekly progress reports from a dedicated account manager that detail what has been completed, what’s outstanding, and what’s next. This keeps the client updated and helps them prepare for the next step, thereby minimising delays.