"How long before I can move in?" is one of the most common questions we hear once a client has had an offer accepted — and it's a completely understandable one. The unknown can cause a lot of anxiety, especially for first-time buyers, until you physically have the keys in your hand.
Below is a stage-by-stage breakdown of the mortgage timescales you can typically expect, and the factors that can speed things up or slow them down.
At a glance
Rough rule of thumb: Around 8 to 10 weeks from the moment your full mortgage application is submitted to the day you get the keys.
Every case is different, and the timeline below is a guide rather than a guarantee. Your adviser will give you a more accurate estimate once they understand your specific situation.
Decision in Principle (24–48 hours)
A Decision in Principle (DIP) usually takes 24 to 48 hours to come back from your adviser. It confirms the level of borrowing you can potentially get and is what you'll show estate agents when making offers.
A DIP is typically valid for 1 to 3 months, depending on the lender. Once you get an offer accepted on a property, you move on to the full application.
Full mortgage application (around 1 week to pick up)
Once your adviser has received your supporting documents (payslips, bank statements, proof of deposit), they'll submit a full mortgage application to the lender best suited to your circumstances.
Every lender has its own service levels, which depend on how busy they are. As a rough guide, expect around 5 working days for a lender to pick up your case — but this can be quicker, or significantly longer if a particular lender is being inundated with applications.
Underwriting and valuation (3–5 working days)
Once your case is picked up, it goes through pre-underwriting where your documents are checked, then on to full underwriting. This typically adds 3 to 5 working days to the timeline.
The lender will also arrange a valuation of the property. If everything is in order and the valuation has been completed, the lender will issue your formal mortgage offer.
Mortgage offer (valid for 6 months)
Once issued, your mortgage offer is typically valid for 6 months. At this point your file is passed to your solicitor to begin the legal work.
Legal work and completion (2–6 weeks)
Your solicitor's timescales will vary depending on factors like:
- How busy the firm is
- Communication with the seller's solicitor (especially if there's a chain)
- Property searches that need to be carried out
- The 2 to 5 days needed to receive funds from the lender and pass them to the seller's solicitor
The legal process can be as quick as 2 weeks, but more commonly takes 4 to 6 weeks from mortgage offer to keys. Your solicitor will keep you updated and confirm your exact date of entry as they work through it.
The bottom line
The 8 to 10 week ballpark is a useful starting point, but the real answer for your specific case will depend on your lender, your solicitor, and whether you're part of a chain. The good news is that your mortgage broker will keep you informed throughout — so you're never in the dark about where things stand.
If you'd like to talk through your situation, get in touch with the team. You may also find our guides to the mortgage process and what documents you'll need useful for the wider picture.