Why Solicitors Take So Long

Buying a house, managing a leasehold or dealing with any other legal matter and you wonder why solicitors take so long? The process feels slow and frustrating especially when buying a house. But the delays are often due to the complexity of the process, the number of parties involved and the time it takes to complete certain stages. Here we explain why and how to avoid the delays.
1. The Conveyancing Process
Conveyancing involves many intricate stages from local authority searches to exchange and completion. Solicitors have to get everything right to protect both buyer and seller. If the property is part of a chain or probate sale the whole chain can be delayed due to problems with other parties.
Delays in Conveyancing
- Property Searches: Local searches by the local authority can take weeks or even months depending on the workload of the area.
- Leasehold Property: Leasehold transactions require additional documentation from the management company such as property information forms and service charge details.
- Mortgage Lender Delays: Waiting for a mortgage offer or mortgage agreement from the lender adds to the timeline.
- Draft Contract and Enquiries: Drafting and negotiating the contract pack requires back and forth communication between the buyer’s solicitor and the seller’s solicitor.
2. Multiple Parties
Property transactions involve many parties: conveyancing solicitors, estate agents, mortgage brokers, local authorities, surveyors and management companies. Any delay from one party can impact the whole process. For example:
- The buyer’s solicitor is waiting for required documents or responses to enquiries.
- Seller issues like incomplete property information forms can hold up progress.
- The estate agent has to co-ordinate with solicitors to get communication between buyer and seller right.
3. Paperwork
Conveyancing firms deal with a lot of paperwork to make the transaction legally valid. This includes:
- Reviewing the survey report and planning permission.
- Doing property searches.
- Preparing and reviewing the draft contract.
- Registering the property with the Land Registry.
Getting all the documents right takes time but is worth it to avoid future legal problems.
4. Unrealistic Expectations
Many buyers and sellers underestimate the time it takes to buy a house. Some transactions are straightforward, others are complex like a property chain with multiple buyers or unresolved planning permissions. Setting realistic expectations will help reduce the frustration.
5. How to speed up Conveyancing
Some delays are inevitable but here’s how to speed up conveyancing and avoid the delays:
- Choose a Good Conveyancing Solicitor Early: Work with an experienced firm like Darwin Gray from the start. Their solicitors will handle your case quickly whether you’re buying a house, a leasehold property or a probate sale.
- Be Prepared: Get all the required documents in advance such as ID, proof of funds and any property related paperwork.
- Communication: Respond to your solicitor and estate agent quickly to avoid delays.
- Coordinate with Others: Make sure your mortgage broker, management company and estate agent are all singing from the same hymn sheet.
- Don’t Switch Solicitors: Switching solicitors mid process can cause big delays. Work with a trusted conveyancing solicitor from the start.
Due Diligence
Solicitors are responsible for making sure every part of a property transaction is legal. This means doing due diligence such as verifying the property’s title, checking for any restrictions or disputes and making sure planning permissions or building regulations have been complied with. These checks may seem like delays but are essential to protect both buyer and seller from future legal problems.
Delays caused by Third Parties
Conveyancing often involves third parties such as surveyors, mortgage lenders and other solicitors. For example a delay in getting a survey report or waiting for the seller’s solicitor to sort out outstanding issues can bring progress to a standstill. In some cases the involvement of management companies for leasehold properties can add weeks to the timeline as these organisations can be slow in providing the necessary information.
Technology in Conveyancing
Although many solicitors have adopted digital solutions to streamline their process the legal industry as a whole is still transitioning. Some conveyancing firms still use old methods like postal communication which can add weeks to the timeline. Choosing a solicitor who uses modern technology like electronic signatures and online portals can speed up the process and keep you informed every step of the way.
Probate Sales
If you’re buying a probate property the process is even longer. Probate sales require extra legal steps such as getting a grant of probate and making sure the property is free of any claims from heirs or creditors. While these steps are necessary to ensure a smooth transfer of ownership they can add months to the overall timeline.
The Property Chain
In a property chain the speed of your transaction is often dependent on others in the chain. If another buyer or seller has a delay with their survey, mortgage offer or completion date the whole chain can be affected. A break in the chain like a buyer pulling out can cause big delays. While these delays are frustrating your solicitor will work to keep the chain as intact and efficient as possible.
Unrealistic Completion Dates
Many buyers and sellers set unrealistic completion dates thinking the process will be quick and easy. However legal processes often throw up unexpected complications such as property information forms not matching or additional enquires. Solicitors need time to deal with these issues thoroughly to make sure the transaction is legally sound and risk free.
Managing Client Expectations
Solicitors also spend a lot of time managing client expectations. Clients get frustrated when things take longer than expected especially if they are under pressure to meet a deadline. A good solicitor will communicate with you about potential delays and keep you updated throughout the process so you’re informed and prepared every step of the way.
Accuracy and Compliance
Accuracy is not negotiable in legal matters. A small mistake in the documentation can have big consequences such as invalid contracts or issues with the Land Registry. Solicitors take the time to double check every detail to make sure all the paperwork involved in the transaction meets the legal standards and your interests are fully protected.
The Value of Experience
An experienced solicitor can often spot potential issues and deal with them before they cause delays. Whether it’s finding missing documents, resolving disputes or liaising with other parties their experience will make the process as smooth as possible. Choosing an experienced firm like Darwin Gray can make a big difference to the timeline of your property transaction.
Long Term Peace of Mind
While delays are frustrating in the short term a thorough and managed process gives long term peace of mind. Cutting corners or rushing the process can lead to costly mistakes or disputes down the line. By giving your solicitor the time they need you’re protecting your investment and getting a legally sound outcome.
Incomplete Information
Delays often arise when buyers or sellers provide incomplete information. For example missing identification documents, inaccurate information on property information forms or unresolved disputes can all stall the process. Solicitors need to verify and resolve these issues to prevent problems later. This is why it’s so important to be proactive and provide all the necessary documents as soon as possible.
Seller Issues
Sellers can also contribute to delays in the conveyancing process. Common issues include incomplete or outdated property details, not responding to enquires or unresolved planning permission issues. Sellers may also need to deal with problems highlighted in a survey report such as repairs or boundary disputes before the sale can progress. A good solicitor will help navigate these issues while keeping the sale on track.
Lender Requirements
Mortgage lenders have specific requirements that need to be met before they release the funds. These can include valuations, additional surveys or satisfying conditions in the mortgage agreement. Any delays in meeting these requirements will impact the whole process. Solicitors liaise with the lender to ensure all conditions are met but this can take time especially if there are communication gaps.
Land Registry Issues
The Land Registry is the final piece of the jigsaw in the property transaction. If there are any discrepancies in the title deeds, unresolved ownership disputes or outdated information on the register solicitors need to deal with these issues before completion. While these can take time they are essential to ensure a secure transfer of ownership.
Local Authority Delays
Local authority searches are an important part of the conveyancing process, revealing any planning, environmental or infrastructure issues with the property. However the speed of these searches can vary greatly depending on the local authority. Some councils will process the search quickly while others will take weeks or even months especially during busy periods. Solicitors have no control over these delays but will monitor the situation and follow up when necessary.
Unexpected Legal Issues
Occasionally unexpected legal issues arise that need more time to resolve. This could be disputes over boundaries, restrictive covenants or rights of way. These issues often involve liaising with other solicitors or third parties to negotiate a solution which will add to the overall timeframe. While frustrating dealing with these matters thoroughly is essential to avoid future problems.
The Human Factor
The legal process is not just about paperwork and procedures but also people—buyers, sellers, estate agents and other solicitors. Human error, miscommunication or personal circumstances can all cause delays. For example a seller may not respond to enquires quickly or a buyer may need more time to get a mortgage offer. Solicitors act as intermediaries to resolve these issues and keep things moving.
Negotiation
Negotiations between buyers and sellers, particularly over survey reports or changes to the contract can also cause delays. For example if a survey report reveals structural issues the buyer may request a reduction in price or ask the seller to do the repairs. These negotiations will involve solicitors on both sides and take time to conclude.
Post Completion
Even after exchange of contracts solicitors need to prepare for the post completion phase, including registering the property with the Land Registry and paying any Stamp Duty Land Tax. These tasks are not visible to the client but are crucial to the process and need to be done before the transaction is fully complete.
Time and Preparation
While conveyancing can take time it’s designed to protect both buyers and sellers. Being patient and prepared makes a big difference. Choosing a solicitor who is experienced, proactive and communicative—like the team at Darwin Gray—means you have a trusted partner to guide you through even the most complex of property transactions.
Choose a Solicitor
Darwin Gray is a leading law firm with a proven track record of handling property transactions efficiently. Their solicitors specialise in minimising conveyancing delays, dealing with enquires quickly and helping buyers and sellers navigate the whole process. Whether you need help with local authority searches, a draft contract or a complex leasehold property case Darwin Gray has the expertise to help.
Conclusion
Property transactions involve legal matters that take time but with the right solicitor you can avoid many of the headaches. Choose a reliable conveyancing solicitor, be proactive and communicate clearly and you’ll get things moving and reduce the stress. Contact Darwin Gray today.