Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from seller to buyer. It runs in the background of almost every purchase, and most of it is handled by your solicitor or licensed conveyancer rather than by you directly.

What your conveyancer actually does

They investigate the legal title, raise enquiries with the seller's solicitor, review the results of local authority searches, handle the exchange of contracts, and arrange for funds and the transfer deed to be sent on completion day.

Worth knowing: conveyancing timelines vary hugely — a straightforward purchase might take six to eight weeks, while a long chain can take several months.

The broad stages

  • Instruction — you appoint a solicitor or conveyancer once your offer is accepted
  • Searches — local authority, environmental and water searches are ordered
  • Enquiries — your solicitor raises questions with the seller's side about the property
  • Mortgage offer — if applicable, your lender confirms funding is in place
  • Exchange — contracts become legally binding and a completion date is fixed
  • Completion — funds transfer and you get the keys

Do I need a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer?

Both are qualified to handle the legal side of a purchase; the right choice usually comes down to cost, availability and personal preference rather than one being inherently better than the other.

What can slow conveyancing down?

Slow responses from other parties in the chain, delayed search results, and queries raised late in the process are among the most common causes of delay.

This guide is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always confirm the specific process and timeline with your appointed solicitor or conveyancer.