Conveyancing Process

What Conveyancing Involves

Your conveyancer will: verify your ownership and right to sell, investigate and resolve any legal issues with the title, prepare the contract of sale, answer the buyer's solicitor's enquiries, manage the exchange of contracts, arrange repayment of your mortgage, handle the financial transaction on completion, and transfer the title deeds to the buyer.

Costs

Conveyancing fees for sellers typically range from £250–£500 plus disbursements (additional charges for searches, Land Registry fees, etc.). Shop around and get quotes from multiple conveyancers. Online conveyancing services often offer competitive rates. However, don't choose solely on price — poor conveyancing can delay or derail sales.

Finding a Conveyancer

Ask for recommendations from friends, family, or your estate agent. Compare quotes from at least three conveyancers. Check online reviews. Ensure they're regulated (solicitors by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, conveyancers by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers).

Ask about their experience, average completion times, and communication methods. Responsive communication is crucial — delays in conveyancing are a common complaint and can put your sale at risk.

DIY Conveyancing

While legal, DIY conveyancing is not recommended for most sellers. The process is complex, paperwork intensive, and mistakes can have serious legal and financial consequences. However, if you're confident, organised, and the sale is straightforward (freehold, no chain, no complex issues), it's possible. You'll save solicitor fees but need to invest significant time.

Timeline

Conveyancing typically takes 8–12 weeks from offer acceptance to completion, though this varies significantly based on chain length, property complexity, and efficiency of all parties involved. Chase your conveyancer regularly for updates — proactive communication can speed things up. For advice on timing, see our guide on when to sell your house.