How often should I hear from my solicitor when buying a house?
Asked by: Daisy Trantow I | Last update: February 15, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (47 votes)
You should expect to hear from your solicitor at key stages, but don't hesitate to chase them weekly, especially if things go quiet, as proactive communication (at least weekly) keeps things moving and prevents delays, although sometimes there's genuinely nothing new to report while they wait on searches or contracts. A good solicitor will update you when there's news, but you're paying for the service, so short, regular check-ins are reasonable and often prompt action.
How often should you hear from your solicitor?
There is no limit on how often you can contact your solicitor. However, it's important to note that contacting them on a daily basis could annoy them and cause delays in their progress. Most people check in with their solicitors on a weekly basis.
What is the 6 month rule for property?
The "6-month rule" in property generally refers to a guideline from mortgage lenders (especially in the UK) requiring you to own a property for at least six months before taking out a new mortgage or refinancing, preventing quick flips, fraud, and ensuring financial stability, with the period starting from land registry registration, not just purchase. It helps lenders control risks like "day one remortgages" (cash purchase followed by immediate mortgage application) and ensure stable home residency, affecting cash-out refinances and property sales.
Why is my buyer's solicitor taking so long?
Conveyancing and Paperwork Slowdowns
Solicitors handling multiple transactions may take time to respond, and complex title issues or leasehold properties can require extra checks. Delays can also come from incomplete property information forms or missing planning documentation.
Can I chase my buyer's solicitor?
Anyone can chase anyone but it will have variable effectiveness. After all, a solicitor is only answerable to their client.
Buying and Selling a House - What the Solicitor Does
How often should you chase solicitors?
How often should I chase my solicitor? There's no right or wrong answer as to how often you should contact your solicitor, and it depends on how you're feeling and if you need anything from them. If you're constantly keeping an eye on your solicitor, it's one way to ensure they don't slack off.
Which is cheaper, a conveyancer or a solicitor?
In general though, licensed conveyancers are more cost-effective than solicitors when it comes to a conveyancing matter. Conveyancers have a narrower focus and specialist knowledge in conveyancing law, so they may be better able to provide tailored advice for you.
What is a red flag in a mortgage?
Risky spending habits
But frequent and large transactions to betting shops or gambling sites can be a major red flag. It suggests risky spending habits, which may raise concerns on whether you'll prioritise mortgage repayments.
How long do solicitors take to process a mortgage?
Conveyancing: 6 to 12 weeks
You'll need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal aspects of the property purchase. If there are no issues or hold-ups, the conveyancing process can take around 6 weeks. But it could take a few months, particularly if you end up in a chain.
Can I sue my solicitor for taking too long?
Making a Claim for Professional Negligence
Clients considering suing a solicitor for a missed time limit have six years from the date of the event constituting negligence – or three years from the date they first realised negligence had occurred – in which to make a professional negligence claim.
What is the hardest month to sell a house?
The hardest months to sell a house are typically November, December, and January, during the winter holiday season, due to fewer active buyers, cold weather, and holiday distractions. Homes listed in these months often take longer to sell and command lower premiums compared to spring and summer listings, with December often cited as the slowest.
How long should you live in a house to avoid capital gains?
Living in a home cumulatively for two out of the five years before selling can qualify one for capital gains tax exclusions of $250,000 per person or $500,000 per couple.
What is the 373 rule for mortgages?
The "3-7-3 Rule" in mortgages refers to federal disclosure timing under the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) rule, ensuring borrower protection: lenders must provide the initial Loan Estimate within 3 business days of application, require a 7-day waiting period before closing from that delivery, and trigger another 3-day waiting period if the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) changes significantly (over 1/8% for fixed loans) before closing. This rule, stemming from the Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act (MDIA), provides crucial time for borrowers to review and compare loan terms, preventing rushed decisions.
How to hurry up solicitors?
Consider a Solicitor Switch: If things really aren't going well, you can change solicitors during the process. Just telling your solicitor that you're considering a switch may be enough to make things happen quickly. It is possible that the switch could further slow the process, but it may also speed things up as well.
What is the quickest a house purchase can go through?
Regulated cash buying companies can typically complete the entire sale process in as little as 7 to 14 days. Once an offer is accepted, they proceed directly to contract exchange and completion without waiting on financing or third-party approvals.
Is it worth getting a solicitor?
The value of having a solicitor cannot be overstated, especially when emotions run high. Their objective viewpoint and legal knowledge prevent you from making impulsive decisions that might harm your case in the long term.
What are the common red flags for underwriters?
Common red flags for underwriters involve inconsistencies, unexplained large deposits, unstable income/employment, poor credit history, and discrepancies in the loan file (like altered documents or mismatched signatures). These signs suggest potential fraud, misrepresentation, or an increased risk of default, making underwriters question the applicant's financial stability and honesty.
What can fail a mortgage application?
What stops you from getting a mortgage includes poor credit history, high debt-to-income ratio, low income or unstable employment, insufficient funds for a down payment, and issues with the property itself, all signaling risk to lenders who look for financial stability and reliability in borrowers. Even small details like recent big purchases or unexplained deposits can derail an application.
Should I accept the first mortgage offer?
If the terms are solid and the buyer is serious, accepting the first offer can be a smart move—especially if your timeline or financial goals are tight.
What not to tell a mortgage lender?
You should not tell a mortgage lender about major new debts (like new credit cards), risky spending (gambling), plans to quit your job, or anything that isn't truthful, as lying is fraud; also avoid asking overly basic questions like "how much can I borrow?" or mentioning side deals, as this shows a lack of preparation and raises red flags. Keep financial habits stable and transparent, don't move assets, and avoid mentioning insurance/inspection issues to maintain a smooth approval process.
What is the $3000 rule in banking?
The "3000 bank rule" refers to U.S. Treasury regulations under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requiring financial institutions to record specific information for certain transactions over $3,000, primarily to combat money laundering; this includes collecting details like customer ID, transaction amounts, and beneficiary info for wire transfers and purchases of monetary instruments (like money orders) with currency, with records kept for five years. It ensures banks verify identity and maintain records for large cash-based transactions or fund transfers, with different rules for purchases of instruments vs. electronic transfers.
What will make an underwriter deny a loan?
Common reasons for mortgage denial include missing information on your loan application and not meeting minimum mortgage requirements. If your loan is denied in underwriting, you can double-check your paperwork, talk to your lender, explore other loan programs or find a cosigner.
Should I use a solicitor recommended by a mortgage broker?
You may feel encouraged into using the recommended Conveyancer/Solicitors suggested by an agent, broker or developer but are not obliged to do so and people often prefer to use their own family Solicitor.