Conveyancing FAQs

What is conveyancing?
This is the process of buying and selling property. The Sellers and the Buyers have separate solicitors that act on their behalf.

How long does it take?
On average a transaction can around 12-16 weeks. This timescale is an estimate and can vary on a number of factors, such as adverse search results, and issues with a valuation.

What are disbursements?
These are costs incurred on your behalf to third parties for things such as searches, land registry fees, and stamp duty. These will be included in your quote at the beginning of the conveyancing process.

What does “exchange of contracts” mean?
Upon exchange of contracts, the contract becomes legally binding. This means that neither party can withdraw from the transaction, and must complete on the completion date specified. Contracts are exchanged by the buyers’ and sellers’ respective solicitors over the phone. In order to exchange contracts the buyers’ solicitors must be in receipt of the deposit.

What does ‘’completion’’ mean?
Completion is the day that you get the keys if you are the buyer/hand over the keys if you are the seller. Completion takes place on a weekday.

We are unmarried and I am putting in a larger deposit into the property, can I protect it?
Yes. You can enter into a trust deed that records who paid what and what happens when the property is sold or if you separate.

Do I need a survey?
If you are taking out a mortgage then the mortgage provider will survey the property to see if it is suitable for them to lend against. This is not a survey that provides detailed information about the property or highlights any problems with the property that you should be aware of. We would advise you to conduct a detailed survey on the property you intend to buy.