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Conveyancing Process

STAGE ONE – Sale Agreed

Buyers Solicitor

Asks for a sum of money on account of expenses
Receive contract and other papers from seller’s solicitors and asks for any additional enquiries necessary
Carry out local authority searches (Land, water, etc)
Asks you to agree the property information form and home contents form
Receives mortgage offer from lender if applicable
Reports to you with contract for signature and requests deposit

Sellers Solicitor

Applies for your title deeds and land registry copies
Asks you to complete property information and home contents forms
Prepares a contract and sends it to the buyers solicitor and answers any further questions the buyers solicitor may have
Negotiates the move date (completion)

STAGE TWO – Exchange of contracts – after this the sale becomes legally binding

Buyers Solicitor

Sends contract and deposit to seller’s solicitor
Prepares transfer and mortgage deed before sending them to you to sign
Arranges final searches
Prepares final searches and requests any fees due

Sellers Solicitor

Confirms completion date
Receives the buyers deposit
Obtains a settlement figure from mortgage lender
Approves the transfer deeds and arranges for you to sign it

STAGE THREE – Completion

Buyers Solicitor

Sends the balance to sellers solicitor and receive deeds in return
Pays any stamp duty if required
Registers the transfer with the land registry
Sends the title deeds to the lender

Sellers Solicitor

Receives balance of purchase price
Pays off the balance of the mortgage
Hands the deeds to the buyers solicitor
Sends you the balance or uses it towards any purchase of another property

Each case is different, so if you’d like to discuss your own situation in a bit more depth, give us a call on 01273 677001 and one of our team will be able to help and advise you. We give friendly, sensible advice in plain English.

You’ll also find definitions for any terms you’re not familiar with in the Jargon Buster . Alphabetically listed, it explains the meaning of a number of expressions you are likely to come across during the conveyancing process.