The Conveyancing Process Buying a Home – The Conveyancing Process

Buying a house, flat or property in the UK can be a daunting process, with many different legal processes to go through before the sale can be classed as completed. The following guide outlines the conveyancing part of the process you’ll go through when buying a house in the UK. We’ll discuss exactly what a solicitor specialising in conveyancing will do to make your house purchase run as smoothly as possible.

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is classed as the legal transfer of a house, flat or property from one owner to another. The main reason to employ a conveyancing solicitor is to ensure that the title deeds to the land are passed on properly. As the buyer, it is important that you are involved from the beginning of conveyancing, to ensure that none of the legal process are overlooked as part of the property purchase.

Signing the letter of engagement

At the very start of the conveyancing process, you will be required by your conveyancing solicitor to sign a ‘Letter of Engagement’ which confirms that you are wishing to use their services.

Property Searches

You will be asked to raise funds to cover searches on the property you wish to buy. These searches will be organised by the conveyancing solicitor and will cover a number of factors:

• Local Authority Searches
• Title and Registry Searches
• Flood Risk Survey
• Environmental Search
• Mining Searches

The conveyancing solicitor will provide the results of all searches and highlight if there are any issues that you should be aware of as a buyer.

Mortgage Valuation and Approval

You will be required to get a mortgage in place and ensure that you have the deposit funds available for transfer to the seller’s solicitor. A mortgage valuation will take place, which is where the lender will confirm that the property you’re looking to buy is worth the amount of money that you’re borrowing with the mortgage.

Buildings Insurance

Your conveyancing solicitor will ask you to get buildings insurance for your home, as responsibility will switch to you as soon as funds and contracts have been exchanged at the point of sale.

Conveyancing solicitors for first time buyers

Choosing a conveyancing solicitor is particularly important if you’re a first time buyer with little knowledge of the process. The conveyancing solicitor will manage the house purchase, and ensure that all deeds and documents are Top Tip: Ask for a full checklist or outline of all of the key conveyancing processes that will take place. This way you can be sure of what you will be responsible for as the buyer of the property.