The Conveyancing Process: Step by Step

Last updated: May 2026 · 7 min read

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. Whether you are buying or selling, you need a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle it. Understanding the process helps you spot delays early and keep your transaction on track.

Choosing a Conveyancer

You can use a solicitor (qualified lawyer who can handle other legal matters too) or a licensed conveyancer (specialist in property law only). Both are regulated and insured. Get at least three quotes and check reviews. Local firms may be easier to visit in person, but many transactions are now handled remotely. Expect to pay 1,000 to 2,000 pounds including disbursements (the fees they pay on your behalf for searches).

The Buyer's Conveyancing Process

Week 1-2: Your solicitor receives the draft contract and title deeds from the seller's solicitor. They review these documents and raise initial enquiries (questions about the property).

Week 2-4: Your solicitor orders searches — local authority search (planning, building control, roads), environmental search (flood risk, contamination), water and drainage search, and potentially a mining search or chancel repair search depending on location. These cost 250 to 400 pounds in total.

Week 4-8: Enquiries go back and forth between solicitors. Your mortgage offer arrives. Your solicitor reviews the offer conditions and reports to you on the title.

Week 8-12: When all enquiries are resolved, you sign the contract and transfer your deposit (usually 10%) to your solicitor. Exchange of contracts happens — this is the point of no return for both parties. A completion date is set.

Completion day: Your solicitor transfers the purchase funds. You collect the keys. Your solicitor pays stamp duty (calculate yours at CalcPad) and registers the property with the Land Registry.

Common Causes of Delay

Chains: if anyone in the chain has a problem, everyone waits. Slow search results from the local authority (some take 6-8 weeks). Outstanding enquiries that the seller is slow to answer. Mortgage offers expiring. Missing documents (especially on leasehold properties where the management company is slow to respond). The single best thing you can do is respond quickly to requests from your solicitor and keep chasing.

Leasehold Conveyancing

Leasehold purchases are more complex and expensive. Your solicitor must review the lease, check the remaining term (anything under 80 years is a concern), examine service charge accounts, obtain a management pack from the freeholder and check for any planned major works. The management pack alone can cost 200 to 500 pounds and take weeks to arrive. See our leasehold vs freehold guide for more detail.