Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one party to another. It involves managing the legal and administrative tasks necessary to ensure a property sale is valid under law, from the acceptance of an offer to the finalization of the sale.

What is Conveyancing?

In the property market, conveyancing is an essential legal service performed by solicitors or specialized conveyancers. The conveyancing process begins once an offer on a property is accepted and concludes when the final contracts are signed and the transaction is completed. It encompasses a series of steps including conducting property searches to check for any issues that might affect the current or future value of the property, negotiating contract terms, managing the exchange of contracts, and the transfer of funds.

The conveyancer's role is to ensure their client's interests are protected throughout the transaction. They will also liaise with mortgage lenders, estate agents, and the other party's conveyancer to gather information, arrange for payment of stamp duty land tax, and register the new owner with the Land Registry. The process can vary in duration based on the complexity of the transaction, the type of property being bought or sold, and the efficiency of all parties involved.

Effective conveyancing is crucial to a smooth property transaction, providing both buyers and sellers with peace of mind that all legal aspects of the transfer of ownership are correctly managed and that their rights are upheld.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conveyancing is a term that you may have heard before, but you might not be sure what it means. Here are some common questions and answers to help you understand what it means.

The length of the conveyancing process can vary, but it typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks from the acceptance of an offer to the completion of the sale. Delays can occur due to complex property chains, slow responses from various parties, or unexpected issues arising from property searches.
A solicitor is a qualified lawyer who can offer a broad range of legal services, including conveyancing, whereas a conveyancer is a specialist licensed to provide conveyancing services exclusively. While both are legally authorized to conduct conveyancing, solicitors can also offer legal advice on more complex matters that may arise during the process.
While it's legally possible to handle your own conveyancing, it is highly risky if you are not experienced in property law. Mistakes in conveyancing can have significant legal and financial consequences. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to hire a professional solicitor or conveyancer who is insured against such risks.