Planning a Move for a Specific Date? How long does the UK conveyancing Process take?

If you are planning to move home by a specific date—whether for a new school term in September, Christmas, Easter, or the summer holidays—it’s crucial to understand the timescales involved in the legal conveyancing process.

On average, the conveyancing process in the UK takes 8 to 12 weeks and in most cases possibly longer.  The conveyancing process takes place after an offer is accepted and proof of funding and source of wealth is obtained (which can often take up to a week).  However, various factors can delay this timeline, including mortgage approvals, property chains, local searches, and legal paperwork, not to mention the workload of your solicitor.

For those aiming to move by key dates planning ahead is essential, some popular dates for people are listed below:

• September (School Term Start) – To move before the school year, aim to have an offer accepted by April-May to allow enough time for the process.
• Christmas Move – If you want to be settled by mid-December, aim to have an offer accepted by September-October.
• Easter Move – Plan for an accepted offer by January-February to move by April.
• Summer Move – For a July-August move, aim to secure a buyer by March-April.

A key factor in ensuring a smooth transaction is working with a proactive estate agent who provides effective sales progression.  Sales progression is the process of managing the transaction after an offer is accepted, helping both the vendor and purchaser navigate potential delays and communicating milestones, problems and progress to all parties.  A good estate agent will regularly liaise with solicitors, mortgage lenders, and surveyors, identifying and resolving issues before they can cause a major setback.

For vendors, this means keeping the sale on track, reducing the risk of the buyer pulling out. For buyers, it ensures that paperwork and legal checks are completed efficiently.  Without an agent actively managing the process, sales can stall, increasing the likelihood of missing key moving deadlines.

To achieve a stress-free, timely move, it is essential to choose an estate agent with a strong record not just in sales but in sales progression, this is something Armitstead Barnett is renowned for ……..just read our reviews!