65% of homebuyers blame slow process on conveyancers
The latest research from Lyons Bowe reveals that 65% of recent homebuyers say the conveyancing process was the slowest part of their buying process, with a quarter saying the legal back and forth took more than 16 weeks to complete.
Lyons Bowe commissioned a survey of 1,000 UK homeowners who made a purchase in the past year*, to understand how long the buying process took, which parts of the process took the longest, and these timelines compared to their expectations going in.
The survey begins by revealing that for 72% of buyers, the process from having an offer accepted to completion of sale took more than 12 weeks.
Indeed, for a quarter (25%) it took longer than 16 weeks to complete, and for more than a fifth (22%), it took longer than 24 weeks – pushing the timeline close to, and often beyond, six months.
Unsurprisingly, this leads to 63% of recent buyers saying the buying process took longer than they expected.
When asked which specific parts of the buying process took the longest and contributed most heavily to this inflated buying timeline, by far the most common answer is conveyancing – as attested to by 65% of respondents.
Meanwhile, 27% say chain-related issues took the longest to complete, followed by mortgage approvals (4%) and valuations (4%).
While a quarter of respondents say that the conveyancing process was all wrapped up in a reasonable 12 weeks, 21% were waiting up to 16 weeks, and 24% were waiting more than 16 weeks.
Not only do buyers find conveyancing to be the slowest part of the buying journey, but according to 54%, it’s also the most complicated and difficult to navigate.
This might be due to the fact that 74% say conveyancing is also the stage of the process that required the most back and forth with communications, documentation, and repeated requests for information.
All in all, over half of buyers (55%) agree with the statement: “the conveyancing process slowed down my homebuying journey”.
Paul Lyons, Managing Director at Lyons Bowe Solicitors, comment:
“It’s not surprising that so many homebuyers feel conveyancing slows things down. The process sits at the centre of a property transaction and involves multiple parties, including solicitors, lenders, agents, buyers and sellers, all of whom are working to different timelines. Delays often stem from fragmented communication, repeated information requests, and a lack of visibility, which can leave buyers feeling out of control and uncertain about progress.
At Lyons Bowe, we’ve built what we call The Lyons Bowe Way specifically to address these challenges. By combining technology with a genuinely client-focused approach, we aim to simplify what has traditionally been a complex and opaque process. Real-time case tracking, proactive communication, and clear, upfront information help reduce unnecessary back-and-forth and give clients a clearer understanding of where they stand at every stage.
Importantly, while technology improves efficiency, it doesn’t replace the human element. We place a strong emphasis on personal support and accountability, ensuring clients feel guided rather than processed. The result is a conveyancing experience that is more transparent, more predictable, and ultimately less stressful. We believe that this helps to keep transactions moving and expectations aligned from start to finish.”
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