How Long Does It Take to Move House?

Ethan Brooks

Aug 24

6 min read

Moving house is an exciting milestone, but it's also a process that requires careful planning and patience. One of the most common questions people ask is, "How long does it take to move house?" The answer depends on whether you're buying or renting, as well as factors such as mortgage approvals, property chains, legal work, and the availability of removal services.

In the UK, buying a home typically takes 8 weeks to 6 months, while renting a property usually takes 2 to 6 weeks. Although every move is different, understanding each stage can help you set realistic expectations and avoid unnecessary delays.

This guide explains the average moving timeline, the key stages involved in buying and renting, ways to speed up the process, and the best time to book a removal company.

Typical Moving Timeline

The time it takes to move house varies depending on the type of move.

Moving Type	Average Timeline
Buying a Home	8 weeks to 6 months
Renting a Home	2 to 6 weeks

Buying a property generally takes longer because several legal and financial checks must be completed before ownership can transfer. Renting is often quicker since there are fewer legal steps involved, however referencing and tenancy agreements can still take time.

Buying a Home (8 Weeks to 6 Months)

Buying a property involves several stages, each with its own timeline. While some purchases complete within two months,Others can take considerably longer, especially if there's a property chain or unexpected legal delays.

Finding the Right Property (2–12 Weeks)

The first stage is finding a property that suits your needs and budget. Some buyers find the right home after only a few viewings, while others spend more time exploring the market before finding the right home.

Factors that can influence this stage include:

Property availability in your preferred area
Your budget
Competition from other buyers
The number of viewings required
Whether you're willing to compromise on certain features

If you're selling your current property, you may also need to accept an offer before moving forward with your purchase.

Making an Offer and Mortgage Application (2–4 Weeks)

Once you've found a suitable property, you'll make an offer to the property owner . If your offer is accepted, the next step is arranging your mortgage.

This stage usually includes:

Agreeing on the purchase price
Applying for a mortgage
Mortgage affordability checks
Property valuation by the lender
Receiving your formal mortgage offer

This stage is usually completed more quickly if your finances are organised and you've already secured a mortgage agreement in principle.

Conveyancing and Surveys (8–12 Weeks)

Conveyancing is often the longest part of buying a home. During this stage, solicitors handle the legal work required to transfer ownership of the property.

Typical tasks include:

Property searches
Reviewing contracts
Addressing legal enquiries
Checking planning permissions
Confirming property boundaries
Arranging surveys
Assessing survey results
Finalising mortgage documents

A home survey may also identify issues that require further investigation or negotiation with the seller. This can extend the timeline, especially if repairs or price adjustments are discussed.

Delays during conveyancing are common, particularly when waiting for property search, responses from the seller's solicitor, or mortgage documentation.

Exchanging Contracts and Completion (1–4 Weeks)

Once all legal work is complete, both parties exchange contracts. At this point, the transaction becomes legally binding, and neither side can withdraw without financial consequences.

After exchange, you'll agree on a completion date. On completion day:

The remaining purchase funds are transferred.
Ownership officially changes hands.
You'll receive the keys to your new home.

Some buyers exchange and complete on the same day, while others leave a gap of one to four weeks to allow time for packing and organising the move.

Moving Day

Moving day is the final step in the buying process. If you've planned ahead, everything should run smoothly.

Your moving day checklist may include:

Collecting the keys
Meeting your removal company
Taking final meter readings
Checking that utilities are working
Unpacking essential items first
Confirming your change of address with relevant organisations

Starting early and keeping important documents close at hand can make the day much less stressful.

Buying with a Chain vs. Chain-Free

One of the biggest factors affecting your moving timeline is whether your purchase is part of a property chain.

Buying in a Property Chain

A property chain occurs when several buyers and sellers depend on one another to complete their transactions.

For example:

You buy from someone.
They buy another property.
That seller buys another home.

Every transaction must progress together. If one purchase is delayed, the entire chain can be held up.

Common causes of delays include:

Mortgage approval issues
Survey problems
Slow legal responses
Buyers withdrawing
Delays in selling another property

As a result, chain transactions often take several months.

Buying Chain-Free

A chain-free purchase is generally much quicker because there are fewer people involved.

Examples include:

Buying a new-build property
Purchasing an empty home
Buying from a first-time seller with no onward purchase

Without multiple transactions relying on each other, legal work and completion can often progress more efficiently.

Renting a Home (2–6 Weeks)

Renting is generally much faster than buying because there is no property transfer or conveyancing process.

However, landlords and letting agents still need to complete several checks before you can move in.

Finding a Rental Property

The first step is choosing a suitable property and arranging viewings.

Once you've found the right home, you'll usually:

Submit an application
Pay a holding deposit if required
Agree on the proposed move-in date

Demand for rental properties can vary significantly depending on the location and time of year, so acting quickly often improves your chances of securing your preferred property.

Tenant Referencing and Contracts

Before you can move in, the landlord or letting agent will typically carry out several verification checks.

These may include:

Employment verification
Income checks
Credit history
Previous landlord references
Right to Rent checks

Once these checks are complete, you'll receive your tenancy agreement to review and sign. You'll also pay your tenancy deposit and the first month's rent before collecting the keys.

Moving In

After the paperwork is complete, you're ready to move into your new home. Moving into a new home is exciting, but taking care of a few important tasks first can help everything go more smoothly.

Check the property's inventory
Record meter readings
Report any existing damage
Set up your utility accounts
Update your address with banks, employers, and service providers

Completing these tasks early helps avoid disputes later and makes the transition smoother.

How to Speed Up Your Move

Not every delay can be avoided, but a little planning can help keep your move on schedule.

Get Your Documents Ready

Having identification, proof of address, bank statements, mortgage documents, and other paperwork prepared in advance can prevent unnecessary hold-ups.

Respond Quickly

Solicitors, mortgage lenders, estate agents, and landlords often need additional information throughout the process. Responding promptly helps keep everything moving.

Book Surveys Early

Surveyors can become busy, particularly during peak moving seasons. Booking your survey as soon as your offer is accepted can save valuable time.

Stay in Regular Contact

Keeping in touch with your solicitor, estate agent, mortgage broker, or letting agent allows you to monitor progress and resolve issues before they become major delays.

Be Flexible

If possible, remain flexible with completion or move-in dates. This can make it easier to coordinate everyone involved and reduce waiting times.

Start Packing Early

Packing little by little before moving day reduces stress and avoids last-minute rushing. Labeling boxes clearly will also make unpacking much easier.

When to Book a Removal Company

Booking your removal company at the right time can save money and help secure your preferred moving date.

If You're Buying

If you're buying a home, it's generally best to book your removal company once contracts have been exchanged, as your completion date is confirmed at this stage. If your moving date is becoming clearer beforehand, you can still contact a few removal companies to compare quotes and check availability. This is especially helpful if you're moving during a busy time of year, when slots can fill up quickly.

If You're Renting

Once your tenancy agreement is signed and your move-in date is confirmed, you can confidently arrange your removals. If you're moving during weekends, school holidays, or at the end of the month, booking as early as possible is recommended because these are often the busiest times for removal companies.

Conclusion

The time it takes to move house depends largely on whether you're buying or renting. Buying a property usually takes 8 weeks to 6 months due to mortgage applications, conveyancing, surveys, and property chains. Renting is generally much quicker, with most moves completed within 2 to 6 weeks.

While every move is unique, staying organised, preparing your paperwork early, responding quickly to requests, and booking your removal company at the right time can help keep everything running smoothly.

By understanding each stage of the moving process, you'll know what to expect and can plan your move with greater confidence, making the transition into your new home as straightforward as possible.