Conveyancing Solicitors Liverpool

Key Steps in the Conveyancing Process

The conveyancing process differs slightly depending on whether you are buying or selling a property. At each stage, there will be information and decisions required from you, while your solicitor handles the legal work, communicates with the other parties and keeps the transaction moving.

Key Steps for Buyers

1. Search for properties and attend viewings
   If you will need a mortgage, you should obtain a Decision in Principle from a mortgage lender for the amount you want to borrow.
2. Make an offer on a property you like
   Submit an offer through the seller’s estate agent.
3. Once it is accepted, instruct a conveyancing solicitor
   Provide identification, proof of funds and details of any mortgage arrangements. Your solicitor will contact the seller’s solicitor and confirm that they are acting for you.
4. Commission a survey
   Though optional, it is a good idea to have a survey carried out on your new home through a surveyors firm. You may want a Home Buyer’s Report, or for older properties, a Full Structural Survey.
5. Sign documents and exchange contracts
   Once all enquiries have been answered, your mortgage arrangements are complete and everyone in the chain is ready, your solicitor will report to you on the purchase. You will sign the contract, agree a completion date and transfer the required deposit. At exchange of contracts, the purchase becomes legally binding.
6. Complete the purchase
   Before completion, you will send any remaining purchase funds to your solicitor. Your solicitor will transfer the money to the seller’s solicitor, after which the estate agent can release the keys to you.

Meanwhile, your solicitor will:

1. Contact the seller’s solicitor and confirm that they are acting for you.
2. Review the contract and legal title
   The seller’s solicitor will issue a draft contract pack. Your solicitor will review the contract, title documents, property information forms and any relevant leasehold documents to identify restrictions, rights, obligations or potential legal issues.
3. Arrange searches and a property survey
   Your solicitor will order the necessary searches, which commonly include local authority, drainage and water, and environmental searches. You should arrange an independent survey to assess the property’s physical condition, as this is separate from the legal conveyancing work.
4. Raise enquiries and finalise your mortgage
   Your solicitor will raise questions with the seller’s solicitor about matters identified in the contract papers, searches or title documents. You will need to review your survey results, confirm that you are satisfied with the property and ensure that your formal mortgage offer is in place.
5. Deal with post-completion requirements
   Following completion, your solicitor will submit any Stamp Duty Land Tax return and arrange payment where tax is due. They will also register you as the new owner, together with your mortgage lender’s legal charge where applicable, at HM Land Registry.

We will explain what is required from you at each stage and provide regular updates as your purchase progresses.

Key Steps for Sellers

1. Instruct a conveyancing solicitor
   As soon as you decide to sell, you should instruct a solicitor and provide identification, details of any mortgage secured against the property and information about the estate agent handling the sale.
2. Complete the property forms
   You will usually need to complete a Property Information Form and a Fittings and Contents Form. Leasehold sellers may also need to provide additional information about the freeholder, managing agent, service charges and ground rent. Your solicitor will help you understand what information and documents are required.
3. Agree a completion date and exchange contracts
   Once the buyer is satisfied with the legal information, has received their mortgage offer and the property chain is ready, both parties can agree a completion date. You will sign the contract and transfer deed before contracts are exchanged, making the sale legally binding.

1. 1. 1. Prepare and issue the draft contract
         Your solicitor will obtain the title documents, prepare the draft sale contract and send the contract pack to the buyer’s solicitor. They will also request any additional documents needed for leasehold, shared ownership or other more complex properties.
      2. Respond to the buyer’s enquiries
         The buyer’s solicitor may raise questions about the property, its title, alterations, guarantees, boundaries or information provided in the forms. Your solicitor will deal with the legal enquiries and contact you where further details or supporting documents are required.
      3. Complete the sale
         On completion, the buyer’s solicitor will send the purchase money to your solicitor. Your solicitor will repay any outstanding mortgage, settle the estate agent’s fees where authorised and transfer the remaining sale proceeds to you. The keys are then released to the buyer.
      4. Finalise the legal paperwork
         Your solicitor will send the signed transfer documents to the buyer’s solicitor and provide confirmation that any existing mortgage has been repaid and discharged.

Our conveyancing team works proactively with buyers, solicitors, estate agents and mortgage lenders to help your sale progress efficiently, including where several linked transactions form part of a property chain.