Council search delays reach 92 days in some areas
Original Article Summary
Property transactions across England and Wales are facing delays of up to three months due to extended Local Authority search turnaround times. Bracknell Forest Borough Council recorded the longest average wait at 92 working days, an increase of 85 working days compared with two years ago. The post Council search delays reach 92 days in some areas appeared first on PropertyWire.
PropMatch Curated Analysis
Local Authority search delays across England and Wales have reached up to 92 working days in some councils, with widespread increases since 2024, significantly raising the risk of transaction fall-throughs due to mortgage offer expiry and chain breakdowns. Investors in affected areas face heightened completion uncertainty.
Investor Relevance
For investors acquiring or selling property, extended search delays raise the probability of deal collapse through expired mortgage offers or chain breakdown — directly affecting deal certainty, refinancing timelines, and exit strategies. Knowing which councils are worst-affected allows investors to price in risk or adjust timescales accordingly.
Original Source:
PropertyWireStay Updated
Subscribe to our weekly briefings for curated property news and insights