A Guide To The Conveyancing Process

To help you understand the many stages of conveyancing and how long each stage is likely to take, the experienced solicitors at Wilson Browne have created this ultimate guide to the typical conveyancing timeline.

Set out in easy-to-follow steps, our conveyancing experts have answered a wide range of frequently asked questions related to this crucial property-buying and selling process.

From “how long does conveyancing take?” to “which stage takes the longest?”, you’ll find everything you need to know about the conveyancing process here.

What are the steps in the conveyancing process?

To give you a clearer idea of how long the various stages of conveyancing can take, we’ve created this handy conveyancing timeline. Alongside outlining each stage, we also explain the typical timescales involved.

Several stages of conveyancing can happen simultaneously, meaning solicitors do not always need to complete one step before progressing to another. This can help speed up the transaction and support a smoother process for everyone involved.

Instruct a conveyancer or solicitor (0–2 weeks)

Regardless of whether you choose a licensed conveyancer or solicitor to handle your property transaction, you will need to provide them with details of the transaction once your offer has been accepted or you’ve accepted an offer.

Your solicitor or conveyancer will then confirm their instructions in a client care pack and provide a breakdown of estimated costs.

This pack will include all necessary forms, requests for proof of identity and source of funds evidence, together with payment information. Once completed and returned, your conveyancer can begin the legal process.

Draft contract papers (2–10 weeks)

For sellers, the solicitor will prepare the draft contract papers detailing the terms and conditions of the transaction and send them to the buyer’s conveyancer.

These documents usually include:

• Property Information Forms
• Fixtures and Fittings Forms
• Title documentation
• Any additional documents relevant to the property

The buyer’s solicitor will review the contract pack, begin searches, and raise any enquiries relating to the contract, title, or property.

For buyers, this is the stage where the draft contracts are received and legal investigations begin.

Carry out conveyancing searches (2–8 weeks)

For buyers, conveyancing searches are an essential part of the process, helping uncover information that cannot be identified from Land Registry documents alone.

These searches help identify potential legal or environmental issues affecting the property or surrounding area before contracts become legally binding.

Typical searches include:

• Local Authority Search
• Water and Drainage Search
• Environmental Search

Searches are often one of the longest stages of conveyancing and can take up to 8 weeks depending on the local authority and search providers.

Arrange funding (0–6 weeks)

Once searches are underway, the buyer’s conveyancer will liaise with the mortgage lender and review the mortgage offer.

Additional mortgage documentation may need to be signed before exchange can take place.

For cash buyers, this stage is usually much quicker as no lender approvals are required.

At the same time, the seller’s solicitor will obtain a mortgage redemption statement if there is an existing mortgage secured against the property.

Send and sign contract documentation (0–2 weeks)

Once enquiries have been answered satisfactorily and all parties are ready to proceed, both buyer and seller will receive documents to sign.

Before exchange can take place:

• Signed contracts must be returned
• The buyer’s deposit must be provided
• A completion date must be agreed by all parties

Exchange of contracts (0–1 week)

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding.

Before exchange takes place, your conveyancer will ensure:

• All searches and enquiries are complete
• Mortgage arrangements are in place
• Identification and compliance checks are satisfied
• Signed contracts are held
• You are happy to proceed

Once all parties in the chain are ready, the conveyancers will formally exchange contracts, usually over the telephone, and agree the completion date.

At this stage:

• The buyer’s deposit is transferred
• Neither party can withdraw without financial penalties
• Buildings insurance should usually be in place for buyers

If there is a long property chain, exchange can take longer as each linked transaction must exchange in sequence.

In some cases, exchange and completion can happen on the same day, although there is often a short gap between the two to allow practical moving arrangements to be made.

Completion

Completion is the day ownership of the property officially transfers from the seller to the buyer — often referred to as “moving day”.

On the day of completion:

• The buyer’s conveyancer transfers the purchase funds
• The seller’s conveyancer confirms receipt
• Keys are released via the estate agent
• The buyer can move into the property

Where there is a chain, funds must move between multiple transactions, which can sometimes cause delays throughout the day.

Both parties should ensure all moving arrangements are in place in advance, including:

• Removals
• Utilities and meter readings
• Change of address notifications
• Cleared completion funds

Sellers should ensure the property is vacated, clean, and that all agreed fixtures and fittings remain in place.

Delays on completion day can result in financial penalties if contractual completion deadlines are missed.

After completion

Following completion, the seller’s conveyancer will:

• Redeem any outstanding mortgage
• Pay estate agent fees
• Transfer the remaining sale proceeds to the seller

The buyer’s conveyancer will:

• Pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax due
• Register the buyer’s ownership at the Land Registry
• Notify landlords or management companies if the property is leasehold

Land Registry registration can take several weeks or even months depending on the complexity of the application, so delays at this stage are normal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)