5 Common Conveyancing Challenges and How to Avoid Them in 2026

Conveyancing, the transfer of legal title of property from one person to another is a complex and often lengthy process. From instructing a solicitor and completing the initial paperwork, to the exchange of contracts and completion, there are many challenges that can arise.

As buying or selling a property is likely to be one of the largest and most important transactions you’ll ever be involved in, it’s vital that you’re informed on the stages of the process and aware of the common issues you may face. Being prepared is key, so read on to discover five common modern conveyancing challenges and what you can do to prevent them. 

1. Delays in Property Searches and Local Authority Checks 

Local authority searches, or property searches, are an essential part of the property buying and conveyancing process, required by mortgage lenders and often affecting and sometimes completely preventing a sale.  

• To help speed up property searches, ensure you instruct a solicitor to conduct local searches as soon as your offer has been accepted, and pay them upfront to show how committed you are to the purchase. Property information forms should be completed quickly and correctly to prevent any delay in the searches process. 
• Many local authorities offer expedited services for a fee. It’s also possible to conduct personal searches with a private search company if official searches are slow, but be sure to check that your lender accepts them and be aware that these are not covered by the statutory compensation scheme if there’s any error. 
• To further prevent delays, stay informed on where the searches process is at currently, ask your conveyancer or solicitor to chase the local authority if you’re experiencing delays, and use online portals for typically faster turnarounds. Keep in mind that searches’ validity typically expires after 6 months. 

2. Mortgage Offer Expiry Before Completion

Mortgage offers are typically preceded by a ‘mortgage in principle’, which is subject to further checks, and it typically takes two to four weeks to receive a formal offer after an application. Your firm mortgage offer may have an expiration date, after which your mortgage is no longer valid if you haven’t completed on the purchase. Preventing mortgage offers from expiring is therefore vital to ensure you can purchase the property you want.  

There are several ways you can prevent a mortgage offer from expiring: 

• Keep track of your expiry date: write it down on a calendar and check how many days you have left on the offer. 
• Communicate often: keep your solicitor and mortgage lender informed of any potential delays, and ensure your conveyancer remains proactive to keep the process moving along. 
• Complete any paperwork straight away: stay on top of any documents that need signing and submitting. 
• Avoid major financial changes: don’t start a new job or take out a credit card, for example, until the sale is completed.  
• If delays are unavoidable, you can request an extension, but be sure to get confirmation in writing. Note that your lender may request new financial checks before granting an extension.  

3. Leasehold Complications 

Leaseholding issues are common, typically because there are usually three parties involved in the sale: the buyer, the seller and the freeholder (landlord). The leaseholding process can be fraught with legal, administrative and logistical complications, and they often take longer, are more expensive and have a higher fall-through rate than freeholding sales.  

However, there are ways you can mitigate the risk of issues with a leasehold sale: 

• Choose an expert legal professional: enlist a solicitor with proven experience to help you navigate the complexities of leaseholding. They can explain your rights and the leasehold restrictions. They can also negotiate terms with the freeholder and potentially arrange a freehold purchase. 
• Understand the ground rent and service charges: although the Leasehold Reform Act 2022 has eliminated many concerns regarding ground rent, be sure to check for any rent clauses and how future service charge increases will be calculated, then budget accordingly. 
• Check the lease length: a lease of over 80 years typically makes it easier for you to get a mortgage and can significantly increase the property’s value. Extending a lease can be a complex and expensive task, so it’s advisable to budget for a lease extension or to buy a property with a long lease remaining. 
• Research the freeholder: look into their history and read testimonials to establish their reputation.  

4. Missing or Incorrect Documentation 

Avoiding documentation problems is essential to ensure a timely conveyancing process and mitigate the risk of a property transaction failure. Here are the most common documentation issues and how to avoid them: 

• Incomplete or missing information: be sure to take the time to thoroughly complete all information required to avoid further questions and delays. Failing to answer the questions on the TA6 (property information) form, for example, can cause a buyer to pull out.  
• Incorrect information: ensure you provide accurate information to prevent delays, withdrawal, or future compensation claims being made against you. You could be accused of negligence of fraud if you fail to provide all and truthful information. Be sure to communicate with your conveyancer or solicitor if you are unsure about any part of the paperwork. 
• Signature and date issues: missing signatures and incorrect or missing dates can cause significant delays, so be sure to double-check all paperwork and ensure witness details are provided if required.  
• Missing information: documents such as property deeds, financial records or identification should be produced promptly to prevent delays in the process.  

5. Communication Gaps Between Parties

Communication between all players is key to ensuring a timely and successful conveyancing process. Communication breakdowns lead to confusion, stress, delays and even property purchase failures, so whether you’re buying or selling a property, you should communicate regularly and effectively with your solicitor or conveyancer, as well as your mortgage lender and estate agent if applicable. Here’s some tips for smoother communication: 

• Be proactive: reach out to your conveyancer to ask questions, check time scales and track progress. Ensure you complete necessary documentation promptly and request a communication schedule so you’re not left wondering when you’ll hear back.  
• Use online platforms: email or client portals are an effective way to communicate quickly, without the need for paperwork exchanges and thus potential delays. You can often check the status of your purchase or sale in real time, as well as identify what tasks you have left to complete your end. 
• Provide clear instructions: if there are personal circumstances that may affect the process (e.g. a gifted deposit), be sure to provide an update immediately to anticipate potential delays. 
• Respond quickly: act promptly to complete your designated tasks, and reply to communication in a timely manner, ensuring you address any issues directly.  

Conclusion 

The modern conveyancing process is invariable lengthy, often complex and sometimes fraught with legal setbacks. To ensure you can navigate the process as smoothly and efficiently as possible, enlisting the help of a legal professional with a good reputation and proven experience is vital.  

Conveyancers and solicitors can guide you through each stage, answer any questions you have, explain your rights and responsibilities and help you reach a timely and successful completion while mitigating the risk of future issues.