Whether you’re buying your first home, moving up the property ladder, or selling a much‑loved family property, the conveyancing process can feel like a maze of forms, checks, and legal jargon. As solicitors, we see every day how overwhelming it can seem, so in honour of National Conveyancing Month, here’s a clear and friendly guide to what happens behind the scenes.
Understanding the steps can not only reduce stress but also help your transaction run more smoothly. If you find yourself asking ‘what is conveyancing?’, what is the conveyancing process?’ and ‘how long does the conveyancing process take?’, we’re here to break it down for you.
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. It begins the moment your offer is accepted (if you’re buying) or you accept an offer (if you’re selling), and it ends on the day you complete and move.
It involves checks, due diligence, financial arrangements, and lots of communication between solicitors, estate agents, mortgage lenders, and you.
What is the conveyancing process for buyers?
- Instruction & early steps
Once your offer has been accepted, you’ll formally instruct a solicitor. At this stage:
- You’ll receive initial paperwork to verify your identity and set out the terms of the retainer and complete the initial paperwork required such as source of funds and our purchaser questionnaire.
- Your solicitor will contact the seller’s solicitor to request the contract pack.
Tip: Instruct early: don’t wait for a mortgage offer. The sooner the legal work begins, the quicker you’ll move.
- Reviewing the contract pack
The seller’s solicitor will provide:
- The draft contract
- Title documents (usually from HM Land Registry unless it is unregistered)
- Property information forms
- Fixtures and fittings forms
- Any guarantees or compliance certificates (e.g., FENSA, boiler servicing)
Your solicitor reviews all of this carefully to ensure the property is legally sound and that no issues affect your intended use.
- Property searches
Searches help uncover essential information about the property and its surroundings. Typically, you’ll have:
- Local authority search – planning, building control, restrictions
- Drainage and water search
- Environmental search
- Any additional location‑specific searches (e.g., mining)
These searches protect you from nasty surprises later, like planned road schemes or drainage problems.
- Raising enquiries
Once the paperwork and searches have been reviewed, your solicitor will raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor. These are detailed questions to clarify anything unclear or potentially problematic.
Common examples:
- Is there evidence of building regulation approval?
- Is the boundary accurate?
- Who maintains shared areas or private roads?
Your solicitor won’t be able to exchange until all enquiries have been satisfactorily answered.
- Mortgage offer & final preparations
If you’re using a mortgage, your lender will send the mortgage offer to you and your solicitor. They’ll check the conditions, ensure the lender’s interests are protected, and report fully to you with a mortgage deed and occupier consent form (if applicable) to sign and return.
Your solicitor is also acting for the lender and has to protect both interests and will need to report certain matters to them as per the lenders instructions.
You’ll then receive:
- A report on title on the property
- Contract and Transfer for signing
- Financial statement showing what funds you need for exchange/completion
- Information about how to send your deposit in readiness for exchange.
- Exchange of contracts
This is the big moment: both sides are legally committed.
Once contracts are exchanged:
- Your completion date is fixed
- You can start organising removals, utilities and insurance with confidence
- Your solicitor will send a final completion statement to you
- Completion day
On completion:
- Mortgage funds and any balance you are paying arrive at your solicitor’s account
- Your solicitor sends the purchase money to the seller’s solicitor
- The keys are released via the estate agent once the seller’s solicitor has your funds
- You can move in!
Afterwards, your solicitor will:
- Pay Stamp Duty Land Tax
- Register your ownership with HM Land Registry
- Send you final documents once registration is complete
If you would like more information on this process, read our clear guide here.
What is the conveyancing process for sellers?
- Instruction & seller forms
Once you’ve accepted an offer, you’ll complete:
- Property Information Form (TA6)
- Fixtures & Fittings Form (TA10)
- Leasehold Information Form (TA7), if applicable
Your solicitor will obtain title documents and prepare the contract pack for the buyer’s solicitor.
- Responding to enquiries
Buyers often have questions; your solicitor works with you to provide accurate responses and supply supporting documents where needed.
The quicker and more complete your replies, the smoother the transaction.
- Exchange & completion
You’ll sign:
- The contract
- The transfer deed
Once contracts are exchanged, you’re legally committed to sell on the agreed completion date. On completion:
- Your solicitor receives the purchase money
- Your mortgage (if any) is redeemed
- Estate agent fees are paid
- The net proceeds are transferred to you
- The buyer can collect the keys from the agent
How long does the conveyancing process take?
The average transaction takes around 12–16 weeks, but timelines vary depending on:
- The length of the chain
- How quickly documents are completed
- Mortgage and search turnaround times
- Complexity of the property, this is seen especially in leasehold properties
Good communication and early instruction can make a big difference.
If you would like more information on this process, read our clear guide here.
Final thoughts
Buying or selling a property is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. The conveyancing process may feel complex, but a proactive and approachable solicitor can guide you through each step clearly and confidently. If you’re ready to take the first step, our guide on cohabitation is the perfect starting point, and why not generate an instant conveyancing quote with our conveyancing quote calculator?
If you’re planning to move this National Conveyancing Month, now is the perfect time to understand the process and to reach out for advice tailored to your circumstances.
How can we help?
Sasha Coburn is a Solicitor in our Residential Conveyancing team. Sasha specialises in Equity Release and works alongside clients and brokers to assist in this area.
If you have any queries on the above subject, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Sasha on 01206 835225 or complete our online enquiry form.