FAQs & Glossary of Terms

In the UK, conveyancing typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks from the point your offer is accepted to completion day. However, timescales can vary depending on several factors.

Delays are often linked to the length of the property chain, mortgage offer turnaround times, leasehold enquiries or how quickly information is provided by both parties and, if applicable, freeholders or managing agents.

Freehold transactions are generally more straightforward while leasehold purchases can take longer due to additional management pack enquiries and service charge documentation.

Instructing your solicitor early can allow you to get a head start on onboarding and form filling which can save 1-2 weeks at the beginning of the process.

Conveyancing costs are usually made up of two parts:

1. Your solicitor’s legal fee.

2. Disbursements, such as searches, Land Registry fees and bank transfer charges.

Early costs for buyers would be search pack fees, ID and anti-money laundering checks. Sellers will usually pay up front for their ID checks, obtaining title documents and, where applicable, ordering their management information pack.

Some firms offer a “no sale, no fee” arrangement, meaning you won’t pay the legal fee if your transaction falls through, although third-party disbursements will still be payable.

Costs most commonly vary depending on property value, whether it is leasehold or freehold, and if there is a mortgage lender involved. 

Once your offer is accepted, you will need to provide the estate agent with details of your conveyancer or solicitor.

Your estate agent will send sales memorandums to the seller and buyer and both their solicitors notifying them of the agreed sale.

For buyers:

• If not already done so, you will onboard with your solicitor.

• You will need to pay for your searches and submit your mortgage application as soon as possible.

• Your solicitor will receive the draft contracts from the seller’s solicitor.

• They will order your property searches.

• Raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor, report to your lender

• Review your mortgage offer.

For sellers:

• You should complete your protocol forms if not done prior to the offer.

• Your solicitor can then send the draft contract pack to your buyer’s solicitor.

• Pay for your management pack (if applicable).

• Your solicitor will liaise with the buyers’ solicitor on their enquiries.

Once all enquiries are satisfied and your mortgage offer is in place (if applicable), a completion date agreed and contracts are exchanged. 

No. You are not required to use the solicitor recommended by the estate agent.

Estate agents often have commercial referral arrangements with certain firms. While some recommended solicitors provide good service, you are entirely free to choose a solicitor who suits your needs and communication preferences.

It’s important that you feel confident in the professional handling your transaction and understand how they will manage your file.

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding.

Before exchange, either party can withdraw from the sale without penalty. After exchange, both the buyer and seller are committed to completing the transaction on the agreed date.

At exchange, a completion date is agreed and the buyer usually pays a deposit (commonly 10% of the purchase price) to their solicitor. Completion then takes place on the agreed completion date. This is when funds are transferred and ownership changes.

Property searches are carried out by your solicitor to uncover issues that may not be visible during a viewing. They are required when buying with a mortgage.

The main searches include:

Local Authority Search: Shows planning history, building regulation records, conservation area status and any proposed road schemes or developments that may affect the property.

Water & Drainage Search: Confirms the property is connected to mains water and sewerage and shows the location of nearby public sewers.

Environmental Search: Checks for potential risks such as contamination, flooding, subsidence or proximity to landfill or hazardous sites.

Chancel Repair Liability: Identifies whether the property could have a historic obligation to contribute towards repairs of the local parish church. If relevant, indemnity insurance is usually arranged.

Additional searches may be required depending on the location of the property, such as mining or detailed flood risk assessments. Search results help you understand potential risks before you exchange contracts.

A winning move would be to instruct a conveyancing solicitor before your property goes on the market, or as soon as you decide to sell. It’s as important as instructing your estate agent.

Early instruction allows your solicitor to prepare key documents in advance, including:

• Official title documents from HM Land Registry

• The draft contract pack

• The TA6 Property Information Form (recently updated with more detailed disclosure requirements)

• The TA10 Fittings & Contents Form

The updated TA6 form requires clearer disclosure about disputes, notices, planning matters, building works, guarantees and other property related issues. Completing this carefully before marketing helps avoid delays, renegotiations or last-minute complications once a buyer is found.

If your buyer is ready but your paperwork is not, valuable time can be lost. Being prepared from the outset allows the contract pack to be issued promptly after an offer is accepted. This keeps momentum in the chain and reducing unnecessary stress.

As a buyer, you should instruct a conveyancing solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted and ideally before, if you are actively house hunting.

Benefits of instructing early:

• Allows your solicitor to verify your identity and open the file. Onboarding can take time.

• You can gather required anti-money laundering documents in advance.

• Shows estate agents you are a serious buyer.

• Understand your legal costs for confident budgeting.

For buyers, having a solicitor lined up means there is no lost time once your offer is agreed.
For sellers, instructing before your property goes on the market can prevent delays later in the transaction.

Early instruction helps maintain momentum and reduces the risk of unnecessary hold-ups - particularly in competitive or chain-dependent transactions.