What does the conveyancing process actually involve?

The average conveyancing process takes around eight weeks, although it can be a little less or a great deal longer. Any number of problems can cause a delay, and the larger the chain, the greater likelihood of a problem arising.

Conveyancing involves a great many stages and a tremendous amount of paperwork. However, the process can be summarized in the following steps:

Receipt of draft contract
Drawn up by the seller's solicitor, this contract in principle contains the particulars of sale and the conditions of sale. This base contract is usually altered by both sides over the coming weeks.

Preliminary enquiry
The buyer's solicitor sends a set of standard enquiries to the seller's solicitor covering issues such as restrictive covenants and boundary disputes.

Property information form
The seller then receives a property information form to allow her to confirm exactly what she's buying, eg fixtures and fittings and so on.

Land charges and registry searches
The title deed and the Land Registry certificate is checked to ensure the seller actually owns what she is tyring to sell.

Local searches
Checks are then made on any new developments planned near the property. Searches are also made of the drainage systems and other service issues. Searches can take several weeks to complete, so this is a good time to organize a survey on the property.

Draft contract approved
The draft contract is then agreed and signed by both parties.

Formal mortgage offer
The buyers mortgage offer will then be checked and confirmed.

Arrange for completion
A completion date for everyone in the chain is agreed. This is usually the moving day.

Exchange
Both parties then sign the final contract and copies are exchanged. It's at this time that your deposit is paid, and you are committed to the purchase.

Completion
On the previously agreed upon date, funds will be sent from your mortgage company to your solicitor, and ownership of the property will be formally transformed. The conveyancing process is now complete and you can now move into your new home!

Using a conveyancing solicitor

More conveyancing advice

What does the conveyancing process involve and how do I go about choosing a conveyancer?

Is it better to use a licensed conveyancer when moving house or is a conveyancing solicitor just as good?

And finally, is DIY conveyancing recommendable, and how has the introduction of HIPs effected conveyancing?