A slow move is nearly always waiting on one specific thing. Find it, and you'll know whether to chase, help or sit tight.
Most moves take 8 to 12 weeks. Much of that is waiting on other people. If it's been a while since you heard anything, it's fair to ask.
Ask these two, not “why is this taking so long?”
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Which stage are we at?
Searches, enquiries, the mortgage offer, or getting ready to exchange. Our guide to how long conveyancing takes shows where yours fits.
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Who has the next step?
You, us, the other side, your lender, the council, a managing agent, or someone further along the chain. The answer decides what you do next.
What's usually holding things up
If it's with you
Fix it today.
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Paying for searches
Pay the day you're asked, so they're ordered on day one rather than a fortnight in.
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ID and source of funds
Have bank statements ready, plus a letter and statements from anyone gifting a deposit.
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Missing documents
Selling? Look now for building regulations sign-off, window certificates and guarantees.
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Answering enquiries
Answer fully and send documents straight away. A vague answer comes back as a new question.
If it's with someone else
Chase the right person.
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The council searchCouncil
Some councils are much slower than others. Ask us, not the council, for an update.
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The mortgage offerLender
Ring your broker or lender and ask whether they need anything from you.
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A leasehold management packManaging agent
Most won't start until they're paid, so check the fee has gone.
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ProbateProbate service
Nothing speeds it up, but knowing early lets everyone plan.
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Another moveThe chain
Once we say your side is ready, ask your estate agent what the other move is waiting for.
More on the slow parts: conveyancing searches and conveyancing enquiries.
When to ask the estate agent
We deal with the conveyancer on the other side of your own purchase or sale, not with people further along the chain. Estate agents know everyone in their part of it. Once we tell you your side is ready, ask your agent to find out exactly what the other move is waiting for.
Stuck, or just slow?
Just slow
You know what you're waiting for, someone has it in hand, and things keep moving, even if slowly. Sit tight.
Properly stuck
- Nobody can tell you what the hold-up is.
- The same question has gone unanswered for a long time, despite chasing.
- Someone in the chain has stopped replying to their agent or conveyancer.
- A buyer's mortgage has been declined, or their own sale has fallen through.
- The seller keeps putting off agreeing a date without a clear reason.
Talk to us and your estate agent together. Sometimes the answer is to wait. Sometimes it's time to look at other options.
Quick ones
Why has my conveyancer gone quiet?
Usually because they're waiting on someone else, such as the council, the other side or a lender. Ask which stage you're at and who has the next step.
Can I chase the council myself?
The search is ordered by your conveyancer, so the council will normally only deal with them. Ask us for an update instead.
Who is holding up my house sale?
We can tell you whether your side is ready. If it is, ask your estate agent to find out which other move in the chain is waiting, and on what.
Is it normal to take longer than 12 weeks?
It happens, especially with leasehold, long chains, probate or a slow council. Longer doesn't mean something has gone wrong, as long as you know what you're waiting for.
With us you get a named conveyancer and WhatsApp updates as things move, so you shouldn't have to ask. If your move falls through and it's not your fault, Fall-through Cover carries your deposit over to the next one.
