Your conveyancer is a solicitor or licensed conveyancer who looks after the legal side of your move.
Searches with the council, water company and more, plus a close look at the title, boundaries and any rights or restrictions.
Raises enquiries with the seller's side about anything unclear, from planning permission to service charges.
Checks your mortgage offer, reports to your lender and makes sure the money is ready on completion day.
Handles exchange and completion, pays stamp duty (or Land Transaction Tax in Wales) and registers you as the owner.
You choose a conveyancer, sign their terms and complete ID checks. Do this as soon as your offer is accepted.
Searches are ordered and questions are raised with the seller's side. This is usually the longest stage.
Contracts are swapped and your deposit is paid. From this point the deal is legally binding.
The money moves, you get the keys, and your conveyancer registers you as the new owner.
A typical freehold purchase with no big problems, from offer accepted to completion.
Leasehold flats and long chains usually take longer, because there are more people and paperwork involved.
Your conveyancer must be approved by your mortgage lender. We'll make sure they are.
Disbursements include searches, the Land Registry fee and stamp duty (Land Transaction Tax in Wales). We'll make sure you get a clear quote up front that shows the legal fee and every disbursement, so you know the full cost.
Lenders only work with conveyancers they've approved. Using one who isn't on the panel can mean paying for a second firm to act for the lender. We'll check before you instruct anyone.
Sellers can instruct as soon as they put their home on the market, so the paperwork is ready. Buyers should instruct the day the offer is accepted. Every week counts.
If we receive a payment for introducing you to a conveyancer, we'll tell you how much before you agree to anything. You're always free to choose your own.
Pop your details in and we'll call you back. The first chat is free, with no obligation.
The legal bit
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
We don't charge a fee for mortgage advice.
Bridging, will writing, equity release and conveyancing are provided through our network of approved business partners.