Conveyancing guides

Plain-English help for your home move

This is where we explain how conveyancing actually works, from your first quote to the day you get the keys. Whether you are buying, selling or remortgaging in England or Wales, the guides here walk you through each step in everyday language.

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26 guides England & Wales Practical guides for buyers and sellers

Moving home throws a lot of legal jargon at you very quickly. These guides break it down into things you can actually use, covering what conveyancing involves, how long it usually takes, what it costs and how to choose a firm you trust. Read what you need, then compare fixed-fee quotes from SRA-regulated solicitors and licensed conveyancers when you are ready.

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Conveyancing basics

Start here to understand what conveyancing is, who does it and how the legal side of a move fits together.

What is conveyancing?

A plain-English explanation of conveyancing: what it is, where it fits in a home move, what a conveyancer does, and who can legally do it.

What is a conveyancer?

A conveyancer is the qualified legal professional who handles the property transfer when you buy, sell or remortgage a home in England or Wales.

The conveyancing process, step by step

A numbered walk through the whole conveyancing journey, from offer accepted to exchange, completion and final registration in England and Wales.

Exchange and completion explained

Exchange of contracts makes the deal legally binding and the deposit is paid; completion is when ownership transfers and you get the keys.

Timing

How long a sale, purchase or remortgage usually takes, and what tends to speed things up or slow them down.

How long does conveyancing take?

Conveyancing usually takes around 8 to 12 weeks. Learn the stages, what slows it down, and why no-chain and freehold moves complete faster.

How to speed up your conveyancing

Practical, doable steps to avoid conveyancing delays: prepare early, sort your mortgage and ID, order searches, reply fast and pick a responsive firm.

Costs & tax

What you can expect to pay, from legal fees and searches to Stamp Duty, with realistic ranges to plan around.

No move, no fee: what would I still pay?

Check the costs left after a failed move, account for money already paid and confirm the terms before starting again.

How to compare conveyancing quotes

Put written quotes on the same basis with a comparison worksheet, a worked example and wording to ask about missing costs.

How much does conveyancing cost?

Understand the full conveyancing price, compare separate sale and purchase costs, and check payments and terms if either transaction stops.

Conveyancing disbursements explained

What conveyancing disbursements are, the common ones from searches to Stamp Duty and leasehold packs, and why these third-party costs vary between quotes.

Stamp Duty explained

What Stamp Duty (SDLT) is, what changes your bill, the Wales and Scotland taxes, and how your conveyancer files and pays it.

Buying a home

A step-by-step look at the buyer's journey, including offers, searches, surveys and what happens before completion.

Is your conveyancer on your mortgage lender's panel? How to check

Check the exact firm and lender, compare permitted representation options, and keep a written record of costs and outstanding conditions.

Offer accepted: when should you instruct a conveyancer?

Your first conveyancing decisions after an accepted offer: compare the scope, prepare the information and agree which costs to authorise.

A first-time buyer's guide to conveyancing

A plain-English conveyancing guide for first-time buyers, covering jargon, mortgage in principle, proof of funds, Stamp Duty relief and what your solicitor needs.

Property searches explained

What property searches are, the core three every buyer needs, the location extras, why lenders require them, and what they typically cost.

Home surveys explained

How home surveys work in England and Wales, the RICS Level 1, 2 and 3 options, which to choose, and how findings can affect your purchase.

Selling a home

What sellers need to prepare, the paperwork involved and how to keep your sale moving towards exchange.

Conveyancing when you are selling

The seller's conveyancing journey, from instructing a conveyancer and proving your title through TA6, TA10, enquiries, exchange and completion.

What you must disclose when selling

What sellers must tell buyers via the TA6 form, from disputes to flooding and knotweed, and why honest disclosure protects you from claims.

Property types

How freehold, leasehold and new-build homes change what the legal work involves.

Leasehold and freehold explained

The real difference between leasehold and freehold, the extra costs to check on a flat, and why leasehold conveyancing usually takes longer.

Buying a new-build home

New-build conveyancing runs on the developer's timetable. Understand reservation fees, fast exchange deadlines, warranties, snagging, long-stop dates and estate charges.

Remortgage & ownership

Guidance on remortgaging, transfers of equity and adding or removing someone from the deeds.

Conveyancing for a remortgage

How conveyancing works when you switch your mortgage: lighter legal work, no chain, free legals or cash incentive, and why it is usually cheaper.

Transfer of equity explained

How a transfer of equity changes property ownership without a sale, covering adding or removing a name, the lender's role, possible Stamp Duty and ownership types.

Choosing & problems

How to pick the right firm, what good service looks like, and why some moves stall.

Online or local conveyancer: which suits your move?

Work out whether remote conveyancing will suit you, what may need an in-person step and which arrangements to confirm before instructing.

Do I have to use my estate agent's solicitor?

You can choose your own conveyancer. Here is how to assess an estate agent's recommendation, ask about referral fees and compare the alternatives.

How to choose a conveyancer: checks before you instruct

Check the firm, the full quote and who will keep you informed. A practical comparison checklist for buyers and sellers in England and Wales.

Why property deals fall through

Most house moves complete, but some collapse late. Here are the common causes, why timing matters, and practical steps to protect your move.

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