New data reveals disparity in Local Authority Search wait times

One silver lining of the past year’s cooling housing market conditions and reduced buyer demand is that the time taken for England & Wales’ local planning councils to return Local Authority Searches has reduced by an average of four days, or a drop of 22.5%.

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But, as is revealed by new research from up-front information platform, Home Sale Pack, this reduction is a hollow victory based on reduced demand, not improved process, with some councils seeing wait times increase by as much as 933%.

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Home Sale Pack has analysed the most recent data around the time it takes for England & Wales’ local planning councils to turnaround Local Authority Searches (LA Searches) – an essential part of the conveyancing process – to see how the expected turnaround time has changed between January 2023 and February 2024.

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The analysis reveals that today, the average turnaround time for an LA Search in England & Wales is 13 days. This is four days less than the 2023 average of 17 days, marking an annual reduction of 22.5%.

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OneAgency ensure a smooth transaction process when it comes to sale progression. We ensure all parties are updated along the way to ensure timescales are met. Get in touch today to find out how we can secure your dream move!

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