Understanding Residential Conveyancing: Your Property Journey Explained

As solicitors, we’re frequently asked: “what exactly is residential conveyancing?”

Simply put, residential conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. It is very important that we clearly understand your desired needs as every transaction is different.

The Conveyancing Process

The conveyancing process can be very daunting, whether you are a first time buyer or even if you are a property developer, but we are here to help!

The process time can vary depending on each transaction. However, the average freehold conveyance can take between 8-10 weeks and 10-12 weeks for leasehold conveyance.

Step One: Providing Your Personalised Quote

The conveyancing process begins with a quote. We will provide you with a custom quote, fitted to your transaction so you know what you’re paying for. No surprises, no hidden costs.

For example – A freehold sale or purchase without a mortgage is relatively simple,

A leasehold sale or purchase with a mortgage is more complex (but we’ve got you covered)

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Step Two: Let’s Meet

Once you have the quote from the solicitor, we will arrange a face-to-face meeting with all potential buyers or sellers. Since every journey is unique, we want to understand your needs and expectations. Then the conveyancing process can begin!

Step Three: Initial Paperwork

We will then send all the necessary paperwork to be completed. This usually includes:

• Introductory letter - setting out who has conduct of the matter (Fee Earner, Supervisor and any Assistants)
• Who the estate agent is. This will require their details are so we can start correspondence with them.
  • Usually the client would have given the details over to the estate agent already
• Proof of ID/ proof of funds
• Payment of Account
• Completed Sale Questionnaire - this just gives the Solicitor a little more detail about the property
• Sale forms (if a sale is being deducted)
  
  • FormsTA6 Property Information form
  • TA7– Leasehold Information form
  • TA10Fittings and Contents form

Once we have received the payment and all forms for the account, we will start liaising with the other side’s solicitor and estate agent - starting with the exchange of initial letter.

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Step Four: Contract Papers

The next step of the process is contract papers. These will include the initial paperwork, shown above, along with:

• Transfer Deed - a legal document that enables the Land Registry to transfer proprietorship of the property
• Land Registry Register -  The Register sets out who owns the property, any previous Transfers, old Leases and conveyances these can be as old as when the property was first made along with any charges (mortgage or Loans) attached the property
• Title Plan - this sets out the boarders (edges) of the property so show what the client maybe buying or selling.

Once the contract pack has been received, purchase enquiries, (questions on the property), and seller responses will start and continue until every enquiry is satisfied and the draft paperwork is approved.

Step Five: Checks, Checks, Checks

Now that paperwork has been completed and questions have been answered we move forward to reviewing the property. We would recommend the buyer to arrange a survey to be done for the property being purchased. Additionally, if the buyer requires a mortgage, we would now request the mortgage offer to add to our reporting.

Step Six: Save the Date!

We are almost done! When everyone is happy with the reports, it is time to get ready for and set your completion date. We will arrange for contract, transfer deeds and mortgage deeds, with additional leasehold documents to be completed and returned, all prepped for exchange.

Step Seven: The Big Day Exchange and Completion

You have gone through this process step by step, you are all set and you just want to explore your new area of Brighton and Hove. Well, today is the day. The solicitor will ensure all parties are kept up to date throughout the day and is on call for your concerns.

Buyer: On the day of completion we will arrange for funds to be drawn, in the morning, from the mortgage provider. Send completion monies to the seller’s solicitor, to confirm completion and to arrange for the keys to be released by the estate agent. The solicitor then contacts their client to confirm and completion has taken place.

Seller: We await for completion monies to be sent, received and confirmed safe receipt. We contact you to confirm completion funds are sent and completion has taken place.

Chain: Selling your property to buy another property

In the event of a chain, the process can be a little longer, this is normal. We will need to wait for the initial funds on your property sale before we can then send funds to the third-party for purchase.

Residential conveyancing is a complex process. At Acumen Law, our Brighton & Hove conveyancing solicitors are here to support you from initial consultation to the final property transfer, addressing every detail with precision and care. If you are buying or selling a property, get in touch today, and we'll help you move into your new home without the stress.

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