This week is National Conveyancing Week (NCW) in England and Wales, a campaign led by the Conveyancing Foundation that aims to “inform, educate, assist and inspire” people about property sales and purchases.
The now-annual event hopes to raise the profile of the conveyancing profession and highlight the important role conveyancers and property lawyers play in the home-moving process.
Instructing a specialist conveyancer is essential when you are buying or selling your home. A residential property solicitor has extensive experience of property sales and purchases, and it is our job to guide you through the process, making sure everything runs smoothly so that you are prepared and comfortable at every stage.
To show our support for NCW2025, in this blog, our experienced Residential Conveyancers consider the main stages involved in buying a new home.
1. Property search. The first step towards buying your dream home is finding it.
Once you have narrowed down your preferred location, it is worth looking at a range of different properties in your price range in that area. New builds, flats, and older houses all have certain advantages and disadvantages. By viewing as many as possible you can work out what best suits you.
2. Instruct a solicitor. Once you have had an offer accepted on your chosen property, you should speak to a solicitor who specialises in residential conveyancing.
Even the most basic property transactions will include several complex legal procedures that need to be completed carefully. Without proper legal advice, you could miss something crucial, so instructing an experienced property solicitor or licensed conveyancer is essential.
At Langley Wellington LLP, we have provided exceptional residential conveyancing services in Cheltenham and Gloucester and to clients across the UK for many years.
Our outstanding levels of customer care ensure you are kept informed throughout the sale or purchase, and our specialist and communicative conveyancers will assist with all your requirements as the transaction progresses.
We also offer a no-move, no-fee service.
For more information, or to speak to one of our conveyancers in Gloucester, please call 01452 545 678, email lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk or fill in this contact form.
3. Survey. A survey flags any defects or possible risks to the structural integrity of a building.
Although a survey is not a legal requirement of the conveyancing process, it is strongly recommended. Research has shown that around 20% of buyers who failed to get a survey on a property purchase have gone on to find issues with it.
4. Pre-contract matters. The estate agent will issue a memorandum of sale setting out the terms of the agreement before the parties legally commit. The seller’s solicitor will also return a draft contract, the property information form (TA6) and the fixtures and fittings form (TA10) which your conveyancer will send to you for review.
5. Searches and enquiries. Searches are the series of enquiries made by your solicitor to various public authorities that give you more information about a property.
A conveyancer undertakes three main searches:
- Local Authority Search. This is designed to uncover any potential issues relating to roads, rail and building work that might be planned or already underway.
- Environmental Search. This surveys historical and current land records to show contamination of the land, flood and subsidence risk, and any development constraints.
- Water and Drainage Search. This reveals whether the property is connected to a mains water supply and the location of the public sewer.
6. Exchange of contracts. Once the search results have been received and any queries from the contract papers and survey have been answered satisfactorily, a report can be sent to your lender, and contracts exchanged.
Buyers pay a deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) and the deal becomes legally binding.
7. Completion. This is the point when a property officially transfers ownership. On the agreed completion date, the buyer pays the remaining purchase price and receives the keys to their new home.
8. Post-completion. After completion, your conveyancer registers the change of ownership with HM Land Registry and will take care of any other matters, including paying stamp duty land tax (SDLT) and supplying you with the title deeds.
Buying a house in England and Wales typically takes between two and three months.
For tips on how to speed up conveyancing, read our previous blog by clicking here.
Residential Conveyancers Gloucester and Cheltenham
At Langley Wellington, our experienced residential conveyancing solicitors have extensive experience helping first-time buyers take their first steps on the property ladder and we offer an exclusive first-time buyers’ rate for conveyancing transactions.
We will work closely with you, ensuring you are aware of what needs to be done at every stage of the process, and overseeing the transaction to ensure it runs smoothly.
Langley Wellington has a dedicated department that specialises in buying and selling residential property called Cotswold Conveyancing Centre.
From here, our experienced conveyancers provide you with market-leading services and adopt a pragmatic and straightforward approach that puts you at the heart of your property purchase.
By instructing our knowledgeable and professional team, you can be confident that we will do all we can to deliver a truly efficient, cost-effective, personal conveyancing service.
To speak to us today, please call 01452 545 678, email lawyers@langleywellington.co.uk or fill in this contact form.
This blog is not intended to be taken as advice or acted upon. If you are seeking legal advice, please get in touch with our team of solicitors.
