Property & Conveyancing
What it is: Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of residential property in England and Wales when you buy, sell, or remortgage a home. It covers everything from investigating title and carrying out searches to exchanging contracts, completing the purchase, paying any Stamp Duty Land Tax, and registering ownership at HM Land Registry. When it applies: You will need conveyancing whenever you buy or sell a house or flat, transfer ownership, or remortgage. Leasehold properties involve additional steps, such as reviewing the lease, ground rent, and service charge provisions, and dealing with the freeholder or managing agent. How a solicitor helps: A conveyancing solicitor investigates the legal title, raises and reviews enquiries, orders local authority and other searches, and checks the contract and mortgage conditions. They explain any issues affecting the property, hold and transfer funds securely, coordinate exchange and completion, and handle post-completion registration and tax filing. First steps: Obtain your mortgage in principle, agree the sale or purchase, and instruct a conveyancer early so searches can begin without delay. Have your identification and proof of funds ready, as anti-money-laundering checks are required. Scotland has a completely separate system involving 'missives', home reports, and the Land Register of Scotland.
