This page focuses on residential property in England and Wales. The buying and selling process is different in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
What does a conveyancer do?
Conveyancing is the legal work needed to transfer ownership of a property. A solicitor, licensed conveyancer or another authorised legal professional can handle it. The work differs depending on whether you are buying, selling, remortgaging or dealing with leasehold or newly built property.
For a purchase, the legal professional reviews the title and contract, orders searches, raises enquiries, works with the mortgage lender where relevant, explains important findings and manages exchange, completion and registration. For a sale, they prepare the contract information, answer the buyer's legal enquiries, redeem any mortgage and transfer the proceeds.
Common matters in conveyancing
Buying a home
Title review, searches, enquiries, mortgage requirements, the contract, exchange, completion, tax filing and registration.
Selling a home
Preparing title and property information, responding to enquiries, agreeing the contract, redeeming a mortgage and completing the transfer.
Leasehold property
Lease terms, service charges, ground rent, management information, planned works and restrictions can add work and third-party costs.
New-build purchases
Reservation deadlines, the construction timetable, warranties, estate arrangements and completion on notice may require specialist experience.
Joint ownership
How co-owners will hold the property and what that means for their shares. Separate advice may be relevant if contributions or intentions differ.
Remortgage or transfer of equity
Lender requirements, title checks, repayment of an existing mortgage and changes to the registered owners without a standard sale.
The usual route through the issue
Offer accepted and legal work opened
In England and Wales, an accepted offer is not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. Identity, funding and source-of-funds checks usually begin early.
Contract, title, searches and enquiries
The buyer's legal professional reviews the legal documents and searches, then asks questions needed to understand the title and transaction. A survey is a separate check of condition.
Report, signatures and exchange
Before exchange, the buyer should understand the contract, search and title findings, have suitable funding in place and agree the completion date. Exchange makes the transaction legally binding.
Completion and registration
On completion, the purchase money is transferred and the buyer can normally collect the keys. The legal professional then deals with tax formalities and registration where applicable.
What to prepare for a first conversation
You do not need to diagnose the law yourself. A concise, accurate account and the key documents will help a professional understand what needs attention.
Transaction details
- The property address, agreed price and estate-agent details
- Whether the property is freehold, leasehold, shared ownership or a new build
- Your preferred timing and whether another sale or purchase forms part of a chain
Money and mortgage
- How the purchase is funded and the mortgage-lender details
- Evidence of the source of funds and any gifted contribution
- Funds for searches and other payments requested during the transaction
Documents
- Photo identification and proof of address
- For sellers: title papers, guarantees, permissions and property forms
- For leasehold property: lease and managing-agent or freeholder information where available
Questions to ask before you instruct someone
- Is the legal fee fixed or estimated, and which assumptions does it rely on?
- Which searches and third-party payments are included or shown separately?
- Are leasehold, new-build, mortgage, gifted-deposit or other supplements included?
- Who will handle the file day to day and how can I contact them?
- How will important title, search or contract issues be explained to me?
- Is there a referral fee, and am I free to choose another provider?
This page cannot assess your circumstances, confirm eligibility or tell you what to do. A regulated professional can explain how the law applies to you.
When prompt advice may matter
Bank details arrive by email or appear to change. Independently verify payment instructions using a trusted phone number before transferring money.
Someone is pressing you to exchange before you understand the contract, searches, survey findings or mortgage position.
A lease is short, key management information is missing, or significant building or service-charge work is proposed.
The property, ownership arrangement or source of funds is more complex than the assumptions in the original quote.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between exchange and completion?
Exchange is when buyer and seller become legally committed to the transaction. Completion is when the money is transferred and ownership changes, usually allowing the buyer to collect the keys.
Are searches, a mortgage valuation and a survey the same?
No. Legal searches reveal information held by authorities and other bodies. A mortgage valuation helps the lender decide whether to lend. A survey assesses the property's condition for the buyer.
Do I have to use the conveyancer recommended by an estate agent?
No. GOV.UK says you do not have to use a recommended company, and you must be told if the estate agent or lender receives a referral fee.
Why can the first quote change?
A quote usually relies on assumptions about the property and transaction. Leasehold work, new-build requirements, extra title issues or unexpected third-party payments can change the scope, so ask when and how changes will be approved.
Can I do the conveyancing myself?
HM Land Registry notes that conveyancing can be complex, and a mortgage lender may insist on professional representation. DIY applicants remain responsible for the legal work and application requirements.
Official sources and further reading
These links were checked on 15 September 2026. External guidance can change, so read the current page before relying on it.