Conveyancing explained, step by step

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a home from one owner to another. It starts once an offer is accepted and ends when the property is legally yours. It usually takes eight to twelve weeks, though it can be quicker or slower.

First, you instruct a conveyancer or solicitor. The seller’s side prepares a contract pack, and your side begins searches, checks with the local authority, water company and environmental agencies for anything that might affect the property, from planning to flood risk.

Next come enquiries. Your solicitor raises questions about anything unclear in the pack or the searches, and the seller’s side answers them. This back-and-forth is often where time goes, so responsive people on both sides speed everything up.

In parallel, your mortgage lender values the property and issues a formal offer. When searches, enquiries and the mortgage are all satisfactory, you’re ready to exchange contracts. At exchange, the sale becomes legally binding and a completion date is set.

On completion day, the money moves, the keys are released, and the home is yours. Your solicitor then registers you as the new owner and pays any Stamp Duty due. It sounds involved, but a good conveyancer carries the load, you mostly wait, sign, and stay reachable.