Homebuyers face longer buying timelines
The latest research from Lyons Bowe suggests the homebuying process could become even slower in 2026: as the number of conveyancers operating across the UK is thought to have fallen by almost -13% while transaction volumes rise, placing further pressure on completion timelines.
Lyons Bowe has analysed data on the number of active conveyancers in the UK, and the number of residential transactions taking place each year, to see how the level of strain on the buying and selling industry is developing.
The research has found that multiple sources are reporting significant declines in conveyancer numbers over recent years.
For example, the IRN UK Residential Conveyancing Market Report* estimates that as of January 2026, there are 5,904 conveyancers in the UK, down from 6,763 in 2021, marking a five-year decline of -12.7%.
This is further supported by data from the Land Registry* which shows a -3.2% decrease in the number of HMLR-registered conveyancers in England & Wales over the past year, and a-10.8% over the past three years.
At the same time, the number of property transactions remains healthy and on the rise.
Lyons Bowe’s analysis of government data* shows that the UK saw a 10% increase in the number of residential transactions between 2024 and 2025, with 2025’s total standing at more than 1.2 million. This follows on from an 8.1% increase the previous year (2023-24).
Paul Lyons, Managing Director at Lyons Bowe Solicitors, comment:
“With the number of conveyancers falling while transaction volumes continue to rise, legal professionals across the industry are inevitably facing heavier workloads. That has the potential to stretch the homebuying timeline which, in theory, should take around 12 weeks: circa 90 days.
These demands are also in part the reason why the conveyancing industry is becoming a less attractive career option.
Of course, anyone who has recently bought or sold a home knows that this timeline is often optimistic and the process can take considerably longer. When conveyancers are managing larger caseloads, delays can easily build and the overall process slows further.
However, increased demand does not have to mean longer timelines. The key lies in how conveyancing work is structure and putting in place the correct technology. Delays often arise when firms operate under the traditional model where a single solicitor manages a case from start to finish. While this approach is familiar, it can be highly inefficient, as that solicitor is constantly switching between different stages of multiple transactions such as onboarding, searches, title checks, contracts, exchanges, completions and registrations.
A more efficient approach is to structure the process. Law firms could take the opportunity to evaluate how they structure their conveyancing departments, so the conveyancing process has a more modern and streamlined approach. This creates efficiency and improves customer service levels and ultimately reduces transaction times.
At Lyons Bowe Solicitors we have put in place a structure within our conveyancing department which creates a client and partner journey and is focused on re-engineering how conveyancing is completed. This is achieved by having dedicated specialists who work solely on each stage of the conveyancing process being New Enquiries, New Instructions, Legal, Exchange and Completions. This makes for a journey that customers and partners enjoy, it allows us to control file numbers so no member of staff is over burdened and they can have a better work / life balance.
While the industry may be heading towards heavier workloads, that should not come at the expense of homebuyers or associated businesses who deserve a process that allows them to move within a reasonable timeframe.”
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