How Project 28 Could Transform Home Sales in South London
If you’ve ever sold or bought a home in South London, you’ll know the process can test anyone’s patience. You accept an offer, start dreaming about your next chapter, and then… nothing seems to move. Weeks roll into months, and all the while paperwork circles between agents, solicitors, and lenders.
At Urban Village, we see this frustration every day, which is why the launch of Project 28: A Charter for Faster, More Certain Property Transactions is such a welcome step forward. The initiative aims to cut the time between offer accepted and exchange of contracts from an average of 109 days to just 28, according to Landmark Information Group. For South London movers, that could mean a much smoother, more predictable experience.
Why do property transactions need reform?
UK, home sales currently take an average of 109 days from offer to exchange. It is stressful, uncertain, and around one-in-three transactions fall through.
Here in South London, timing matters even more. Properties in areas like Camberwell, Herne Hill, and Brixton often attract multiple buyers and, when a sale stalls, the ripple effect can break whole chains, meaning prolonged uncertainty for sellers, and the risk of buyers losing their dream home.
What does Project 28 actually mean?
Project 28 is an industry-wide commitment to faster, more transparent home sales. It brings together estate agents, conveyancers, mortgage lenders, and technology firms under one shared goal: to streamline property transactions from ‘sale agreed’ to exchange in 28 days.
The charter sets out eight commitments to achieve this, from early legal instruction to digital data sharing and better coordination across all parties.
Instead of waiting for documents to arrive midway through a sale, sellers and agents would provide key information upfront (including title deeds, planning permissions, and lease details), making it easier for buyers and solicitors to progress without delay. As TwentyCi notes, this focus on early data and shared visibility could help tackle one of the biggest causes of slow completions: the late discovery of information.
How faster, tech-led home sales could work in practice
Currently, the legal process only begins after an offer is accepted. By the time searches are ordered and lease queries are answered, weeks (sometimes months) have passed. It’s no wonder buyers lose momentum or chains collapse.
Under the new model, your conveyancer is instructed as soon as your property hits the market, while legal documents and property details are uploaded to a secure digital hub.
This means that, when an offer comes in, both parties already have much of the groundwork complete, enabling solicitors to move directly into due diligence and contract drafting.
Why does this matter for South London sellers and buyers?
For sellers:
- Faster exchanges mean less time waiting and less chance of the buyer pulling out.
- You gain confidence knowing your property is legally ready and your sale is progressing efficiently.
- A smoother process strengthens your position when planning your next move.