The legal process of transferring ownership of property from seller to buyer in the UK, carried out by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer and culminating in registration at HM Land Registry.
Conveyancing is the legal process by which ownership of property is transferred in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate systems). It is carried out by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer and typically takes eight to twelve weeks from offer acceptance to completion.
The process has two critical milestones: exchange of contracts, when the transaction becomes legally binding and both parties are committed, and completion, when the purchase price is paid and keys change hands. Between these events, a deposit of typically 10% is held.
Before exchange, the buyer's solicitor conducts due diligence including property searches (local authority, drainage, environmental), reviewing the seller's title, raising enquiries about the property, and reviewing the draft contract. Any issues discovered must be resolved before exchange.
On completion the buyer's solicitor transfers the purchase funds to the seller's solicitor, the title deeds are released, and the buyer's solicitor registers the transfer at HM Land Registry. Registration must be completed within two months of completion.
Conveyancing costs include solicitor's fees (typically £1,000 to £3,000 plus VAT), search fees (£200 to £500), Land Registry fees (scaled by property value), and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Foreign buyers face the same process but may need additional identity verification.
Gazumping is when a seller accepts a higher offer from another buyer after already accepting yours but before exchange of contracts. It is legal but unethical in England and Wales.
You can legally do your own conveyancing (DIY conveyancing), but most mortgage lenders insist on a qualified solicitor or conveyancer. It is strongly inadvisable for first-time buyers.
A completion statement from your solicitor shows all the costs involved in the purchase — purchase price, stamp duty, solicitor fees, search fees, and Land Registry fees — so you know exactly how much to transfer on completion day.
Browse our verified directory of English-speaking law firms across United Kingdom. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 Seconds