Why Conveyancing Takes So Long – And What’s Being Done to Speed It Up

Buying or selling a home often takes longer than people expect, and many clients understandably ask why conveyancing can feel so slow. In a world where so much happens instantly online, the legal process behind transferring a property still relies on systems and requirements that take time. Although improvements are being made, it helps to understand what slows things down and what is being done to make the process faster and more efficient.

A major factor is the growing regulatory burden on conveyancers. Today’s transactions involve far more than preparing contracts. Lawyers must carry out detailed anti‑money‑laundering checks, investigate the source of funds, complete sanctions screening, verify identity, and meet strict lender‑compliance requirements. These steps are compulsory and carry serious consequences if not completed properly, so every file requires meticulous and time‑consuming attention.

The system itself also contributes to delays. Much of the conveyancing framework is still based on structures created under the Law of Property Act 1925. While there are ongoing efforts to modernise, only around 30% of Land Registry applications are currently automated, meaning most still have to be reviewed manually by caseworkers. This can slow things down significantly, especially when titles are complicated or documents are missing.

Many delays arise simply because conveyancers must rely on third parties. Local authority searches can sometimes take several weeks. Mortgage lenders may have their own backlogs. Managing agents dealing with leasehold properties can be slow to respond. Missing title documents, or situations where probate has not yet been granted, can halt progress entirely. In a property chain, even one slow link can affect every connected transaction.

Communication challenges add to the frustration. Buyers and sellers often say they feel unclear about the stage of the process, or that they need to chase for updates. Reports such as Santander’s Fixing the Broken Chain highlight that more than half of consumers find the process too slow and difficult to navigate. In a chain‑dependent system, these communication gaps become even more significant.

The good news is that the government and industry bodies, including the Law Society, are working on reforms designed to speed up the process. One key area is increasing the amount of upfront information provided when a property is first marketed. Sellers may be required to supply more material details early on - such as leasehold information, planning permissions, parking arrangements, and key documents - so buyers can make informed decisions from the start and avoid delays later.

Technology is also playing a bigger role. The industry is steadily moving towards the wider use of property logbooks, digital ID verification, electronic signatures, and smarter automated forms. Further digitalisation at HM Land Registry is expected to reduce administrative delays and streamline processes.

Another growing trend is encouraging sellers to instruct solicitors before their property goes on the market. Preparing legal documents early - such as gathering title deeds, addressing missing paperwork, and completing initial questionnaires - means that once an offer is accepted, much of the groundwork is already done. Many experts believe this alone could shave weeks off the timeline.

Better communication across all parties is also being emphasised. More regular updates, clearer explanation of responsibilities, and more predictable timelines can make the experience smoother and more transparent, even where the overall structure has not changed.

The broader push for modernisation continues. Industry groups are advocating for greater automation at the Land Registry, improved systems that allow conveyancers, lenders, agents and surveyors to work together more efficiently, and a move towards standardised digital property data that can be easily shared. Over time, these changes aim to reduce the “weakest link” effect that currently slows down chains.

Overall, conveyancing takes time because it remains a highly regulated, document‑heavy and interdependent process rooted in centuries‑old frameworks. However, meaningful improvements are on the way. With government‑backed reforms, better technology, and earlier legal preparation, the home‑moving process is gradually becoming more transparent, digital and efficient. No single change will solve all issues immediately, but together they represent real progress towards a more streamlined experience for everyone involved.