What Is Conveyancing and How Does It Work?

If you've bought or sold a property before, you've probably heard the word conveyancing approximately 400 times.

But if it's your first move, you might still be wondering what it actually means.

In simple terms, conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a property from one owner to another.

It's the part of the transaction that happens largely behind the scenes.

Who does it?

A solicitor or licensed conveyancer normally handles the process.

For a buyer, they'll investigate the property you're purchasing.

For a seller, they'll prepare the legal information needed to transfer the property to the new owner.

Buying a property

For buyers, the process can involve quite a lot.

Your solicitor will look at the property's legal title, arrange searches, review documents, raise enquiries and work with your mortgage lender where applicable.

This is why choosing a solicitor who communicates well can make such a difference.

Searches

Property searches are designed to uncover information about the property and its surroundings.

Depending on the transaction, these can include:

• Local authority searches

• Environmental searches

• Drainage and water searches

They can reveal things that wouldn't necessarily be obvious from simply viewing the property.

Then come the enquiries

This is often the stage buyers hear the least about but can involve a lot of communication.

The buyer's solicitor may ask questions about the property based on the documents and searches.

The seller's solicitor then needs to provide answers or additional information.

Sometimes this is straightforward.

Sometimes it isn't.

Why can a simple question cause a delay?

Because the answer might require another document, another person or further investigation.

If a solicitor asks a question that the seller can't immediately answer, it can take time to track down the information.

This is one reason why property transactions don't always move in a perfectly straight line.

The estate agent's role

You might assume that once solicitors are instructed, the estate agent disappears.

Quite the opposite.

A good agent should remain involved.

We're often speaking to buyers, sellers and solicitors to find out where things are up to, identify delays and keep everyone moving in the same direction.

We're not doing the solicitor's job — but we can help keep the communication flowing.

Exchange of contracts

Once the legal work is complete and everyone is ready, contracts can be exchanged.

This is the point when the transaction becomes legally binding.

A completion date will normally be agreed at this stage.

Completion

Completion is the moment the money changes hands and ownership transfers.

For the seller, the sale proceeds are transferred.

For the buyer, it's the point at which the property becomes theirs and the keys can be collected.

Why does conveyancing take so long?

There's no universal timeframe.

Some transactions are relatively straightforward.

Others involve chains, leasehold properties, missing information, complicated titles or issues raised by searches.

The best thing you can do is respond quickly when your solicitor asks for something and keep them updated if your circumstances change.

The important bit

Conveyancing might not be the most exciting part of moving home.

But it is one of the most important.

Understanding what is happening behind the scenes can make the process feel considerably less confusing — especially when you're wondering why everyone is still waiting for "just one more thing."