Conveyancing explained: a guide for homebuyers

Key takeaways

• Conveyancing is essential – it’s the legal process that safely transfers property ownership and protects both buyer and seller at every stage.
• The process follows clear steps – from offer acceptance and searches through to exchange, completion and registration, usually handled by a qualified professional.
• Timescales and costs can vary – most purchases take around 12–16 weeks, with fees depending on the property type, location and complexity of the transaction.

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. It ensures the transaction is lawful, secure and properly recorded. The process typically starts when an offer is accepted and concludes once the new owner is registered with HM Land Registry. It’s usually handled by a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to protect all parties involved.

All property purchases, including new builds, must go through conveyancing.

Who carries out conveyancing?

Conveyancing is carried out by qualified property law professionals who manage the legal checks needed to ensure a secure transfer of ownership.

• Licensed conveyancers are specialists in property law, regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). They typically focus solely on conveyancing and related property work.
• Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and often handle conveyancing alongside other legal services.
• Chartered legal executives may also handle conveyancing if they’re qualified in property law and working under the appropriate regulation.

An expert from DWH said:

‘Both solicitors and licensed conveyancers are fully qualified to handle conveyancing. The main difference is scope: licensed conveyancers specialise exclusively in property transactions, while solicitors may offer broader legal advice beyond conveyancing.’

All carry professional liability and carry out key checks such as verifying ownership, reviewing contracts, raising enquiries and confirming funds and identity.

The conveyancing process

The conveyancing process follows a series of legal and administrative steps designed to ensure a property transfer is lawful, accurate and secure. While the exact details can vary depending on the property and your circumstances, the process generally moves from offer acceptance through legal checks, contracts and exchange, finishing with completion and registration. Below, we break down each stage.

1. After your offer is accepted

Once your offer is accepted, the legal conveyancing process officially begins. The seller’s solicitor issues a draft contract pack, which usually includes details of the property, title documents from HM Land Registry and standard property information forms.

At this stage, your conveyancer will also carry out identity and source‑of‑funds checks. These are required under UK Money Laundering Regulations and are a standard part of all property transactions. They help prevent fraud and ensure the purchase complies with the law before any legal work progresses.

2. Draft contract and initial checks

Your conveyancer will receive and review the draft contract pack from the seller’s solicitor. This typically includes the contract itself, the title plan and register. If the property is leasehold, details of the lease, ground rent and service charges will also be included. It may also contain planning permissions, building regulations information and property information forms.

Your conveyancer checks these documents for accuracy and raises any initial enquiries before explaining the key points to you.

3. Property searches

Your conveyancer will order a set of legal searches to identify any risks or restrictions affecting the property. Some searches are required by mortgage lenders, while others are recommended based on the property’s location. Common searches include:

4. Enquiries and legal review

Once the searches and contract papers have been reviewed, your conveyancer raises enquiries with the seller’s solicitor to clarify any legal, practical or financial issues. These may cover boundaries, rights of way, planning permissions, disputes, lease terms or compliance with building regulations.

Following the Law Society’s Conveyancing Protocol, your conveyancer assesses legal risks and ensures all issues are resolved or clearly explained before you proceed. If any concerns arise, they can advise you on your options and whether further action or negotiation is needed before moving towards the exchange of contracts.

5. Mortgage offer and final checks

Before contracts can be exchanged, a formal mortgage offer must be in place. Your lender sends a copy of the offer to your conveyancer, who checks that all conditions have been met and that the loan details match the purchase price and property.

Your conveyancer must confirm to the lender that you’re financially ready to proceed, including verifying the deposit, purchase funds and legal title. They’ll then provide you with a final report summarising the legal and financial position and ask you to sign the mortgage deed.

6. Exchange of contracts

The exchange of contracts is the stage at which a property transaction typically becomes legally binding for both the buyer and the seller. At this point, the signed contracts are formally exchanged by the conveyancers acting for each party and a completion date is usually agreed.

Around the time of the exchange, a deposit is often paid. Once contracts have been exchanged, withdrawing from the transaction can involve financial consequences for either party. This stage is generally intended to provide a greater level of certainty that the purchase will progress towards completion on the agreed date.

7. Completion day

Completion day is the stage at which legal ownership of the property usually passes to the buyer. Before this happens, the conveyancer acting on your behalf typically carries out final checks, including confirming that mortgage funds have been received from the lender. A completion statement is normally provided in advance, setting out any remaining balance that needs to be paid before completion can take place.

On the day itself, the conveyancer generally transfers the purchase funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once these funds are received, the seller can authorise the release of the keys, allowing access to the property. After completion, the conveyancer attends to the remaining legal formalities, such as submitting documentation and registering the change of ownership.

How long does conveyancing take?

Conveyancing typically takes 12 to 16 weeks, according to guidance from the HomeOwners Alliance. However, timescales can vary depending on several factors, including local authority search turnaround times, whether the property is leasehold or freehold, the complexity of the chain and whether you’re buying a new build.

Some common reasons for delays include:

• Slow local authority searches
• Long or unstable property chains
• Unresolved enquiries or missing documents
• Delays in securing a mortgage offer

Conveyancing costs explained

Conveyancing costs are made up of legal fees and disbursements (payments your conveyancer makes to third parties on your behalf). While exact costs vary, the table below shows typical price ranges.

* Fees can vary depending on property location, price, leasehold or freehold status and transaction complexity.

Common conveyancing issues

Conveyancing can be delayed or complicated by several common issues. Most are routine and your conveyancer will follow established industry processes to resolve them.

• Missing or incomplete documents. If key paperwork is unavailable, such as title documents, planning permissions or property information forms, your conveyancer can request replacements or clarification from the seller’s solicitor before progressing.
• Search delays. Local authority searches can take longer in some areas. Where delays occur, conveyancers can monitor progress, chase results and may discuss search insurance as a temporary solution if appropriate.
• Title issues. Problems such as unclear boundaries, restrictive covenants or rights of way are reviewed carefully. Your conveyancer can raise enquiries and advise whether the issue can be resolved, insured against or renegotiated.
• Leasehold queries. Leasehold properties often involve extra checks, including lease terms, ground rent, service charges and managing agent information. Conveyancers can seek full details early to avoid delays.
• Unanswered enquiries. If the seller takes time to respond to legal questions, your conveyancer can follow up regularly and keep you informed of any impact on timescales.

Conveyancing for new build homes

Conveyancing for a new build home can involve additional legal checks and a different timeline compared with existing properties. Your conveyancer will confirm that the development has the correct planning permissions and building regulation approval.

They’ll also review the new build contract, which may include tighter exchange deadlines and clauses around completion dates, known as ‘notice to complete’. Your conveyancer also checks the property’s structural warranty, such as an NHBC Buildmark warranty and insurance policy, ensuring you’re protected after completion.

Ready to start your homebuying journey? At David Wilson Homes, we have a range of new build properties available. Browse our current offers and schemes or speak to our Sales Advisers to find out how we could help you get on the property ladder.

Disclaimer:

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We would always recommend that advice is taken from a regulated financial adviser regarding your specific circumstances.