The Conveyancing Process

Step 1: ID & Instruction

We will obtain your ID and instructions in order to start the process. ID checks are mandatory in order to be compliant with regulations and to ensure we are conducting our due diligence and preventing fraud.

Step 2: Solicitors Details / Request Searches

 

We will need to obtain the memorandum of sale form the Estate agent. This is a document which explains who all the parties are to the transaction, so we may contact the buyers/sellers solicitors. 

The searches will also be requested by the buyers solicitors. Please note some lawyers choose to request these on receipt of the contract pack and some clients prefer to await their mortgage offer before paying for the searches.

Step 3: Draft Contract Pack

The next step is for the buyers solicitors to send their 'initial letter' which confirms their instructions to the sellers solicitors. On receipt, the sellers solicitors will put together the draft contract pack for the buyers solicitors review.

Step 4: Contract Pack Review

On receipt of the draft contract pack, the buyers solicitors will the conduct their reviews of the same. This can take some time depending on the size of the pack. An example contract pack will include documents completed by the seller, the contract, a covering letter and the property title documents. These title documents can be lengthy, depending on the property. 

Leasehold: Management Pack

If the property is a Leasehold, we will also need to request the Management Pack and even a further Landlord Pack for review. this is in order to confirm information regarding the service charge, ground rent, if any works are due and other such information as building insurance, fire risk assessments and information on serving notice.

Step 5: Raising Enquiries

Once the contract Pack has been reviewed, enquiries will be raised with the sellers lawyers. Here is where the buyers lawyers ask questions about the property from their reviews. The position of the searches is usually checked at this point and reviewed if they have returned in order to raise any necessary enquiries. Once these have been raised, replies form the sellers solicitors will be awaited.

Step 6: Mortgage Offer

The offer can be recieved at any point during the transaction. On receipt, the buyers conveyancer will review the same and report in regard. the mortgage deed will be attached with the report and this will need to be signed and returned in readiness for completion

Step 7: Replies to Enquiries 

On receipt of replies to enquiries, these will be reviewed in order to confirm if they are satisfactory. Should they do not satisfy the buyers enquiries, then further enquiries will be raised in order to ensure enquires are satisfied. 

Step 8: Reporting

Once replies to enquiries are satisfied, the buyers conveyancer will then report to their client in order to confirm what they have found during their investigations and enquiries. The reports can be lengthy and the buyer is advised to review these thoroughly in order to ensure they are satisfied with the property.

Step 9: Exchange/Completion

Once you can confirm that you are happy with the property and you wish to proceed considering the reports and surveys completed, we then take instruction for a completion date and request your lenders funds (if you are having a mortgage). On receipt of their confirmation, we then proceed to exchange and set your required completion date!