Conveyancing Milestone Tracker UK

Tick every milestone that's been completed.

1. Offer accepted — typical week 0 Memorandum of sale issued by the estate agent. 2. Instruct solicitor or licensed conveyancer — typical week 1 Money laundering ID checks, terms of business, deposit on account. 3. Receive draft contract pack from seller — typical week 2 TA6 property information, TA10 fixtures and fittings, title register and plan. 4. Searches ordered — typical week 2 Local authority, water and drainage, environmental, and chancel as needed. 5. Mortgage offer issued — typical week 4 Lender issues formal offer after valuation. Cash buyers skip this stage. 6. Survey completed — typical week 4 RICS Level 1, 2 or 3 depending on instruction. 7. Enquiries raised on the contract pack — typical week 5 Solicitor reviews searches and seller pack and writes to seller solicitor. 8. Replies to enquiries received — typical week 8 Most chains slow down here. Chase weekly if needed. 9. Exchange of contracts — typical week 10 Deposit transferred. Completion date now legally binding. 10. Completion — typical week 12 Funds transferred, keys released. You own the property. 11. SDLT return filed — typical week 12 Stamp Duty Land Tax return filed and paid within 14 days of completion. 12. Registered at HM Land Registry — typical week 14 Solicitor lodges AP1 and Title Information Document is issued.

Frequently asked questions

What are the standard conveyancing milestones in England?

Twelve stages: offer accepted, instruct solicitor, contract pack received, searches ordered, mortgage offer, survey, enquiries raised, replies received, exchange, completion, SDLT filed, and registration at HM Land Registry.

Where do most purchases get stuck?

Replies to enquiries — typically weeks 5 to 8. Slow seller solicitors, missing leasehold packs, and complex title queries are the most common causes.

When is SDLT due?

The SDLT return must be filed and the tax paid within 14 days of completion. Your conveyancer normally does this on your behalf using funds held on completion.

How long does HM Land Registry take to register a sale?

Simple registrations take 4 to 6 weeks. Complex registrations involving new titles, lease extensions, or first registrations can take several months.

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Sources & references

Cost ranges, timeframes, and checklist items shown on this page are drawn from the following authoritative sources.

This is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. For decisions affecting a specific purchase, sale, or move, consult a qualified solicitor, conveyancer, or surveyor.

Conveyancing milestone tracker

Frequently asked questions

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Sources & references