Buying or selling your home is a huge milestone. Exciting? Absolutely. A bit overwhelming at times? Very much so! One minute you’re picturing paint colours and furniture layouts, and the next you’re being asked about searches, contracts and legal titles.
That’s where conveyancing comes in. If you’re not familiar with the term, don’t worry.
Here’s a simple guide to what happens between an offer being accepted and reaching completion.
So, what is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. Your solicitor manages the process from start to finish. They’ll check the legal paperwork, deal with the other side’s solicitor, carry out searches, raise enquiries, answer enquiries, and make sure your lender’s requirements are met if you’re buying with a mortgage.
Think of it as a behind-the-scenes safety check. Your solicitor is making sure the property is legally sound and that there are no issues that could cause problems later, such as rights of way, planning restrictions, boundary disputes or obligations attached to the property.
What happens after your offer is accepted?
Once your offer is accepted, the legal work begins. Your solicitor will confirm how you’re funding the purchase. If you’re buying with a mortgage, they’ll receive your mortgage offer and check it complies with your lender’s requirements. They’ll also carry out anti-money laundering (AML) checks and ask for evidence showing where your deposit is coming from. This is a legal requirement for all property purchases. At this stage, searches will be ordered.
Exchange and Completion
Once your searches are back, enquiries have been answered, your solicitor is satisfied the property is suitable to buy, and you have no further questions, they will send you a full report on the property and all the legal documentation. You will then sign the documents and pay your deposit to your solicitor, ready for exchange of contracts. Once contracts are exchanged, the transaction becomes legally binding.
Your solicitor will request your mortgage funds, carry out final searches, and send you a completion statement showing any balance due before completion.
On the day of completion, the purchase funds are transferred to the seller's solicitor. Once received, the keys are released, legal ownership passes to you, and you can move into your new home.
Congratulations you have successfully completed your conveyancing journey!
FAQs
What’s the difference between freehold and leasehold?
Freehold means you own the property and the land it sits on. Leasehold means you own the property for a fixed number of years but not the land beneath it.
Why do I need to provide source of funds evidence to my solicitors?
Solicitors are strictly regulated and are legally required to verify the source of funds used in your purchase, preventing money laundering and financial crime, and is standard conveyancing practice. You will need to provide documents such as bank statements, savings records or evidence of gifted deposits.
What are property searches?
Searches help identify issues that could affect the property, including planning proposals, flood risk, drainage matters and environmental concerns.
How long does conveyancing take?
Every transaction is different, but most purchases take 8 to 16 weeks, depending on factors like search results, mortgage requirements, leasehold complexities, and length of the chain.
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