London property deals taking longer than ever

Buying or selling a home in London now takes over 200 days on average

By Benham and Reeves

Aug 08, 2025, 7:58 AM  IST

Local council search delays

Some boroughs like Camden and Redbridge take over 40 days to return local searches

Shortage of conveyancers

There are fewer professionals handling more caseloads, causing legal delays

High-rise sales impacted by Building Safety Act

Many law firms avoid leasehold flats in towers due to complex safety checks

Low-cost legal services can slow deals

Cheaper conveyancers may lack experience and delay transactions

Lack of coordination among parties

Estate agents, solicitors and mortgage brokers often don’t work in sync

Over one-third of deals fall through

Buyer indecision, slow progress and chain breaks are key reasons for failure

The industry needs a digital upgrade

A centralised, tech-enabled system could speed up the process for all parties

Our experienced team ensures smoother purchases with trusted solicitors and seamless coordination every step of the way