Property sales hit by three-month council search delays
Original Article Summary
New figures show Local Authority search delays are becoming a growing obstacle to completing property sales
Investor Analysis
Local authority search delays are now exceeding 92 working days in some councils, with significant increases recorded across London boroughs, South East, and other regions, materially increasing fall-through risk and transaction uncertainty. This is a growing structural bottleneck in the conveyancing process that affects both buyers and sellers.
Investor Relevance
For investors acquiring or disposing of residential property, extended search delays raise the probability of mortgage offer expiry, chain collapse, and wasted legal costs — especially relevant in the named boroughs and councils. Investors should factor longer transaction timelines into planning, financing arrangements, and exit strategies, and may increasingly favour cash buyers or off-market routes for speed and certainty.
Original Source:
Property Industry EyeStay Updated
Subscribe to our weekly briefings for curated property news and insights