Buying your first home is an exciting milestone but it also comes with a lot of legal jargon and unfamiliar processes.

One of the most crucial aspects is conveyancing, the legal transfer of property ownership from seller to buyer.

This FAQ guide will help you understand what conveyancing involves, why it matters, and what to expect along the way.

What Is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a property from one person to another. It starts after your offer is accepted and ends when you get the keys and become the legal owner.

What Does a Conveyancer do?

They will handle legal paperwork, conduct property searches, liaise with the seller’s solicitor, and deal with your mortgage lender.

What Are Property Searches, and Why Are They Important?

Your conveyancer will carry out searches with local authorities and other bodies to check for things like planning issues or restrictions, environmental risks (like flooding or contamination), whether the property is subject to a public right of way and water and drainage connections.

These searches give you information to prevent you having any nasty surprises further down the line.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take?

Typically, it can take around 8 to 12 weeks from offer acceptance to completion. However, timescales can vary depending on many factors including the efficiency of both parties' solicitors, whether you're in a chain (other buyers/sellers involved) and how quickly documents and searches are returned.

What’s the Difference Between Exchange and Completion?

  • Exchange of Contracts: You’re legally committed. You pay a deposit (usually 10%), and a completion date is fixed.
  • Completion: The property legally becomes yours. You pay the remainder of the money and receive the keys.

What Are the Costs Involved?

Costs vary but typically include legal fees, search fees, stamp duty (if applicable - first-time buyers get relief up to £425,000) and Land Registry fees.

Conveyancing might feel overwhelming, especially the first time around—but with the right support and a clear understanding of the process, you’ll be in your new home before you know it.

At Timms, your conveyancer is there to guide you so don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek clarification along the way.

If you would like a no-obligation quote from us please use our online calculator or call us on 0800 011 6666 to speak to our friendly and knowledgeable team. For more information, visit our website here.