The legal stages of buying a house

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Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from the seller to the buyer. This stage of the home-buying process typically involves the following steps:

1. Appoint a conveyancer: You can appoint a conveyancer, also known as a conveyancing solicitor, to handle the legal aspects of the transaction on your behalf.


2. Review the contract: Your conveyancer will review the contract of sale to make sure that it accurately reflects the agreed-upon terms of the sale. They will also carry out searches and checks to ensure that there are no outstanding issues with the property, such as planning restrictions or unsettled debts.


3. Exchange of contracts: Once the contract has been reviewed and any necessary negotiations have been completed, both the buyer and the seller sign the contract. At this point, a binding agreement has been formed and the exchange of contracts has taken place.


4. Pay the deposit: After exchange, the buyer is usually required to pay a deposit, typically 10% of the purchase price.


5. Prepare for completion: During this time, your conveyancer will complete any necessary legal paperwork, such as registering the transfer of ownership with the Land Registry. They will also arrange for the payment of stamp duty and other fees associated with the transaction.


6. Completion: On the agreed completion date, the balance of the purchase price is transferred to the seller, and the keys to the property are handed over to the buyer. The conveyancer will then transfer the ownership of the property to the buyer and register it with the Land Registry.


7. Post-completion: After completion, your conveyancer will carry out any final tasks, such as registering the transfer of ownership with the local authorities and dealing with the payment of any outstanding bills.

The conveyancing stage of the home buying process can take several weeks, depending on the complexity of the transaction and the speed of the various legal processes involved. However, a skilled and experienced conveyancer can help ensure that the process runs smoothly and that you have a successful completion.

Buying a home is likely to be the biggest financial commitment you will make and choosing the right solicitor will help your purchase go through smoothly with as little stress as possible.

We have a few solicitors that we have worked with over the years who we trust and know give a great service. Give us a call and we can point you in the right direction.