Few things test a person’s patience quite like waiting for a property transaction to complete. You have found the right house, agreed a price, and told everyone the good news, and then weeks pass with very little apparent movement. The conveyancing team here understands how frustrating that silence can feel, particularly when a mortgage approval clock is ticking or a rental notice period is running down.
The good news is that much of the delay is avoidable. It usually comes down to paperwork that could have been gathered earlier, questions that could have been answered sooner, and third parties who could have been chased from day one.
How long should the conveyancing process take?
The honest answer at present is longer than it should. The Housing for All Expert Group on Conveyancing and Probate found that the average transaction takes around 22 weeks, and it recommended a national target of eight weeks. Government has accepted that target, and a programme of reform is now underway, with eConveyancing due to be fully implemented by the end of 2027.
Progress is already visible. The Central Bank of Ireland has amended the Consumer Protection Code to oblige lenders and credit servicing firms to release title deeds within ten working days of a valid request, a change that took effect in March 2026. Local authorities have been given a target of ten working days to respond to requests for roads and services certificates, and statutory declarations are being replaced by Statements of Truth. The Law Society of Ireland has set out these reforms in detail, and we have written previously about the latest developments with eConveyancing. Reform helps, but the biggest factor in any individual sale remains preparation.
Where the time actually goes
Understanding the usual bottlenecks makes it far easier to avoid them. The most common causes of delay we encounter are:
- Title deeds held by a lender that have not yet been requested or released.
- Missing planning permissions, certificates of compliance, or building regulation documentation.
- Slow replies to pre-contract enquiries and requisitions on title.
- Mortgage approval in principle that has lapsed, or a loan offer with conditions still outstanding.
- Outstanding Local Property Tax, or an unresolved Residential Zoned Land Tax position.
- Management company documentation for apartments, which can take weeks to obtain.
- Registration backlogs at Tailte Éireann affecting the seller’s title.
- Chains, where a related sale and purchase must complete together.
Key advice for sellers
The most valuable thing a seller can do is instruct a solicitor before the property goes on the market rather than after a buyer is found. That allows your solicitor to request the title deeds, review them, and identify problems while there is still time to fix them quietly. Practical steps include:
- Instruct your solicitor early and provide identification documents for anti-money laundering purposes straight away.
- Ask your lender to release the title deeds at the outset and follow up in writing if the ten working day deadline passes.
- Gather planning permissions, grants, drawings, and any existing Certificates or Opinions of Compliance.
- Engage an architect, engineer, or building surveyor if any works may fall outside what was permitted or exempt.
- Confirm that Local Property Tax is fully paid and that returns are up to date.
- For an apartment, request the management company pack and service charge statement immediately.
- Order a Building Energy Rating certificate before marketing, as it is a legal requirement.
The Law Society publishes a helpful consumer guide, Speed up Your Property Sale, which is well worth reading before you list.
Key advice for buyers
Buyers often assume that the legal work is the slow part. In practice, financing is just as frequently the culprit.
Secure full mortgage approval rather than approval in principle before you bid and be alert to expiry dates. Read the conditions attached to your loan offer carefully, because items such as life assurance, home insurance, or a satisfactory valuation can hold up a drawdown. Have your deposit funds available in an accessible account and be ready to evidence the source of those funds. Anti-money laundering checks are mandatory and gathering that paperwork in advance saves days.
If you are relying on a scheme such as Help to Buy or the First Home Scheme, apply early, as approvals are not instant.
Communication is the cheapest accelerator
Most delays are not caused by any single dramatic problem. They are caused by small queries sitting unanswered in inboxes for a week at a time.
At McCarthy + Co, our conveyancing team strives to answer client queries quickly and to keep you updated at each stage rather than leaving you guessing. We ask the same of our clients in return. When your solicitor requests a document or a signature, replying within a day or two rather than a fortnight can take weeks off a transaction. It is also worth agreeing a realistic closing date at the outset, and being open with your estate agent, your lender, and your solicitor if anything changes.
Be realistic, and build in a buffer
Even a well-run transaction depends on parties you do not control, including banks, local authorities, management companies, and, for an inherited property, the Probate Office. Avoid committing to a moving date, giving notice on a tenancy, or booking a removal firm until contracts have been signed by both sides.
Need help with a purchase or sale?
At McCarthy + Co Solicitors LLP, we act for buyers and sellers across Ireland, and we know that the difference between a smooth closing and a stressful one is usually made in the first fortnight. Whether you are preparing to go to market, have just gone sale agreed, or feel that your transaction has stalled, our conveyancing team will be glad to help. Arrange a consultation with a solicitor by completing our quick online form.
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