If you’re a first-time buyer looking to get your foot on the property ladder, you’ve probably heard the term ‘conveyancing’ or ‘the conveyancing process’ by now. But what exactly does it mean? Simply put, conveyancing is the legal work that is carried out when property is being bought or sold. It involves 3 main stages as seen below from the buyer’s perspective:

• The pre-contract stage
  The pre-contract stage involves all the work that is carried out before contracts are exchanged. The seller will send you a contract package: this includes a draft contract, evidence of their legal ownership and the results of their pre-contract property searches. It is then our job as conveyancing solicitors to thoroughly check these documents as well as raising queries or ‘requisitions’ regarding the property searches that have been conducted (learn more about property searches below). Once you have confirmed a mortgage offer and we are satisfied with the final results from the searches, the draft contract will be returned to the seller. Then, it’s time for the contract exchange.

• The post-contract stage
  We will send the draft purchase deed to the seller’s solicitor, and, once approved, both buyer and seller will sign a copy of the purchase deed. This will activate the terms in the contract. We will then need to obtain the mortgage loan from your mortgage lender, and meanwhile, the seller’s solicitor will confirm with their lender the exact amount of money needed to discharge their mortgage. Finally, your money is transferred to the seller’s solicitor, and the deeds are sent to us.

• The post completion stage
  You’re practically done! After the seller’s solicitor has sent us a receipt of their mortgage once it’s been discharged, it’s up to us to pay the stamp duty land tax for the property on your behalf. Then, we’ll help you apply to the Land Registry for your legal title on the property to be registered.

There is a fourth and final stage, but it doesn’t require our help. We’ll leave you to get the keys, pack your boxes and start making plans to turn your house into a home.

A conveyancer, or conveyancing solicitor, deals with all the legal aspects of buying or selling a property. Their role includes:

• Reviewing contracts and title deeds

• Carrying out property searches with local authorities and other bodies

• Managing payments, deposits, and mortgage funds

• Liaising with the other party’s solicitor throughout the transaction

• Exchanging contracts and completing the purchase or sale
  By using professional conveyancing solicitors, you can be confident the transaction is handled correctly, securely, and with your interests protected.

On average, the conveyancing process takes between 8 to 12 weeks from your offer being accepted to completion. The exact timescale depends on whether you are buying, selling, or both, and whether a chain is involved. Working with experienced conveyancing solicitors can help keep things on track and reduce the risk of unnecessary delays.

There are several factors that can slow down the conveyancing process, such as:

• Delays in property searches from local authorities

• Issues with title deeds or missing documentation

• Mortgage approval delays from lenders

• Complications in the property chain where one delay affects multiple transactions

• Survey results leading to renegotiation
  Choosing proactive conveyancing solicitors and responding quickly to requests for information can help reduce the chances of delays.

Searches are carried out during the conveyancing process in order to gain vital information about the property. The searches carried out normally include:

• Local Searches
  This involves contacting the council to obtain information on any future plans that may affect the value of the property, such as a new by-pass or superstore just by the property.
• Environmental Searches
  This search is essential and is carried out to make sure the land where your property is built is not contaminated in any way.
• Water Search
  This vital query is raised to ensure the property has mains water and a drainage system and whether they are in perfect working order.