How Long Does It Take to Buy a House in the UK? Timelines, Tips & Key Steps

Buying a home is one of the most exciting and significant financial decisions you’ll make — but it’s also one of the most complex. One of the most common questions from home buyers is: How long does it take to buy a house in the UK?

While every purchase is different, the process typically takes 8 to 22 weeks from start to finish. However, with the right preparation and professional support, you can streamline your experience and avoid common delays.

This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown, outlines typical timelines, and answers key questions to help you confidently plan your home-buying journey.

Average timeline to buy a house in the UK

Most buyers complete their home purchase in 2 to 5 months, though the timeline varies depending on several factors, including whether you're a first-time buyer, part of a chain, or paying in cash.

Here’s a general breakdown of the process:

🔍 Buying without a chain? Your timeline could be reduced to 6–10 weeks.

Step-by-step house-buying process in the UK

1. Prepare your finances (1–2 weeks)

Before you even start house-hunting, it's vital to:

• ✅ Check your credit score (use Experian or CheckMyFile)
  
  

• ✅ Use mortgage calculators to estimate your budget
  
  

• ✅ Save for upfront costs: deposit, Stamp Duty, solicitor fees, and surveys
  
  

💡 Tip: A larger deposit (15–25%) can help you secure better mortgage rates and reduce loan-to-value (LTV) ratios.

2. Get a mortgage agreement in principle (1–5 days)

A Mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP) is a statement from a lender showing how much they’re willing to lend you based on your current financial situation.

• It’s not a binding offer, but it demonstrates you're a serious buyer
  
  

• Improves your negotiation position
  
  

• Required by most estate agents before they’ll take you seriously
  
  

🏦 Use a whole-of-market mortgage broker to compare rates and improve your approval odds.

3. Start your property search (4–12 weeks)

Now it’s time to find your ideal home. Search on platforms like Rightmove, Zoopla, or OnTheMarket, and register with local estate agents.

🏡 If you’re selling simultaneously, try to secure a buyer for your current property before making offers.

4. Make an offer (1–2 weeks)

Once you’ve found the right home:

• Submit your offer through the estate agent
  
  

• Be prepared to negotiate on price and conditions
  
  

• If multiple buyers are interested, you may be asked to submit a sealed bid
  
  

✅ Always ask what's included (e.g., white goods, fixtures & fittings)

5. Instruct a conveyancer (immediately after the offer is accepted)

A licensed conveyancer or solicitor handles the legal work, including:

• 📑 Drafting contracts
  
  

• 🔍 Ordering local authority searches
  
  

• 💬 Liaising with the seller’s legal team
  
  

• 🕵️‍♂️ Checking for planning permissions, access rights, boundaries, etc.
  
  

This phase usually takes 8 to 12 weeks, but delays are common due to search backlogs or legal issues in the chain.

6. Book a property survey (2–4 weeks)

A survey is your chance to understand the condition of the property. Types of surveys include:

• RICS HomeBuyer Report – for newer, conventional homes
  
  

• Building Survey – for older or unusual properties
  
  

• Mortgage Valuation – mandatory for lenders, but limited in detail
  
  

⚠️ If serious issues arise (e.g., damp, roof damage), you may want to renegotiate or walk away.

7. Finalise your mortgage (1–3 weeks)

Your lender will now:

• Review the property valuation
  
  

• Request documents (ID, bank statements, payslips)
  
  

• Run affordability and credit checks
  
  

Once satisfied, they will issue your formal mortgage offer, valid for up to 6 months.

8. Exchange contracts (1–2 weeks)

This is the point where the transaction becomes legally binding.

• You’ll pay your deposit (usually 5–10% of the purchase price)
  
  

• Sign the contract
  
  

• Arrange buildings insurance — required from the moment of exchange
  
  

📅 At this point, your solicitor will agree a completion date with the seller.

9. Completion and moving in (1–2 weeks)

🎉 On completion day, the remaining funds are transferred, and the keys are released.

You’ll need to:

• Pay Stamp Duty (if applicable)
  
  

• Settle any remaining legal fees
  
  

• Register ownership with the Land Registry
  
  

• Receive your title deeds via your solicitor
  
  

🏠 You’re officially a homeowner!

Common delays in the house-buying process

Even with good planning, delays happen. Here are common causes:

• ⛓️ Long or complex property chains
  
  

• 🕒 Slow local authority search returns
  
  

• ⚠️ Survey issues (damp, subsidence, etc.)
  
  

• 📑 Paperwork errors or delays
  
  

• 💸 Mortgage underwriting issues
  
  

📌 First-time buyers and cash buyers generally complete faster as they're chain-free.

How long does it take to buy a house with no chain?

Buying without a chain (e.g., a new-build or vacant property) can shorten your timeline considerably:

✅ Total: 6 to 10 weeks
📈 This is the ideal scenario for speed and simplicity.

Tips to speed up buying a house

🚀 Get your AIP before viewing properties
📝 Choose a conveyancer with online case tracking
📂 Submit ID and financial documents promptly
📞 Keep communication open with your agent and solicitor
⛓️ Avoid long property chains if possible

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to buy a house after an offer is accepted?

Typically 8 to 12 weeks, depending on mortgage approval, surveys, and legal work. Delays can occur in the chain or during conveyancing.

Can you speed up conveyancing?

Yes — choose an efficient solicitor, avoid incomplete paperwork, and respond quickly to queries. Some firms offer fast-track conveyancing for an additional fee.

Do mortgage brokers speed up the buying process?

Often yes. Brokers can help you secure a quicker mortgage decision and deal with lender queries more efficiently than going direct.

How long after the survey do you exchange contracts?

Usually 2–4 weeks, assuming there are no major issues and your mortgage offer is in place.

Is it faster to buy as a first-time buyer?

Yes. First-time buyers are typically chain-free, which removes a major source of delays.

Final thoughts

So, how long does it take to buy a house in the UK? While the average timeline is around 2 to 5 months, being well-prepared and chain-free can reduce this significantly.

From checking your credit score to collecting your keys, each step matters. With the right advice and support, your home-buying journey can be smoother, quicker, and far less stressful.