A conveyancing solicitor handles the legal work involved in buying or selling a home. This includes checking the legal title, carrying out searches, dealing with contracts and mortgage paperwork, and arranging the transfer of ownership. Their role is to make sure the legal requirements are met and that any issues with the property are identified before the transaction is completed. 

This guide explains what a conveyancing solicitor does for buyers and sellers, how long the process usually takes and what costs to expect. 

What does a conveyancing solicitor do? 

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property. When it involves a home, it is known as residential conveyancing. Your solicitor manages the process from start to finish and advises you on any legal issues that arise. 

If you are buying, your solicitor checks the legal title, raises enquiries with the seller’s solicitor, arranges searches, deals with your mortgage paperwork once your mortgage offer has been issued and deals with exchanging contracts and completing your purchase. After completion, they will complete any Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) formalities and register you as the new owner with the Land Registry. 

If you are selling, your solicitor prepares the contract pack, responds to the buyer’s enquiries, arranges repayment of your existing mortgage and deals with the transfer of ownership on completion. 

In both cases, your solicitor needs to identify potential problems and explain how they could affect the transaction. Our conveyancing solicitors act for buyers and sellers throughout the process. 

The conveyancing process, step by step 

The process starts when you appoint your solicitor, provide identification and complete the initial paperwork.

If you are selling a property, your solicitor will prepare the contract documents to be sent to your buyer’s solicitors and deal with any enquiries that your buyer’s solicitors may ask.

If you are buying a property, when the draft contract documents are received from the seller’s solicitor, your solicitor will review the documents, carry out any necessary searches and send any enquiries they have to the seller’s solicitor.

Searches are an important part of the process because they can reveal issues that may not be apparent from a viewing. Checks with the local authority and other organisations can identify planning restrictions, environmental risks and proposed road schemes, for example. Whether the property is freehold or leasehold also affects the legal work involved. Our guide to freehold and leasehold property explains the main differences. 

Once all enquiries have been dealt with, and the contract terms have been agreed and both sides are ready to proceed, contracts are exchanged and the deposit is paid. The transaction is then legally binding. On completion, the remaining purchase money is transferred, the keys are released and the buyer takes ownership.

How long does conveyancing take? 

A straightforward purchase often takes around eight to twelve weeks, although some transactions take longer. Property chains, delays with searches, mortgage arrangements and outstanding enquiries can all affect the timescale. These delays can also contribute to sales falling through. Property data firm TwentyCi reports that nearly a quarter of agreed sales fall through before completion. 

You can help avoid unnecessary delays by returning paperwork promptly, responding to your solicitor’s questions and arranging your mortgage early. Your solicitor will also need to keep in contact with the other parties and follow up on outstanding matters. Our guide to buying and selling explains what to expect at each stage. 

What conveyancing costs and what a quote should include 

Conveyancing costs usually include three main elements: your solicitor’s legal fees, disbursements and any Stamp Duty Land Tax due on the purchase. 

Legal fees cover the solicitor’s work. Disbursements are payments to third parties, such as property search fees and Land Registry fees. Stamp Duty Land Tax may also apply, depending on the purchase price and your circumstances. 

Your quote should set out these costs clearly and explain whether any additional charges may apply. This makes it easier to compare firms and understand the likely overall cost before proceeding. You can request a conveyancing quote from our team. 

Can you do your own conveyancing? 

Theoretically you can handle your own conveyancing in some circumstances, particularly if you are a cash buyer. However, in respect of a purchase, you would need to manage the legal paperwork, searches, enquiries and registration yourself. In respect of selling a property, you would need to issue the contract yourself. If you are using a mortgage to purchase a property, your lender will require you to use a solicitor or licensed conveyancer who meets its requirements. Even if you are buying a property without a mortgage, a seller’s conveyancer is unlikely to deal with you without you being legally represented.

Buying or selling a home involves significant sums of money, so professional legal advice can help you understand your obligations and deal with potential issues before they become more difficult to resolve. Our conveyancing solicitors in Winchester act for clients nationally and can handle the legal work from start to finish.

Speak to our residential property team 

Although most property transactions follow the same broad stages, the work involved will depend on the property and the circumstances of the sale or purchase. A conveyancing solicitor can explain what is required, deal with the legal paperwork and keep you informed if any issues need your attention. 

We act for buyers and sellers nationally. Get in touch to request a quote or discuss your move. 