Conveyancing FAQs

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person(s) to another. This process is usually carried out by a conveyancing solicitor.

The average length of time is 12-16 weeks, though it is common for transactions involved in longer chains to take 6 months or more.

A conveyancing solicitor will:

    • Advise their clients: provide insights on the conveyancing process, and keep them informed about any progress. 
    • Arrange searches: uncover any potential issues with the property itself or local area. 
    • Draft contracts: ensure both sides are happy with the arrangement before exchanging.
    • Liaise with other professionals: these might include estate agents, mortgage advisors, and the solicitors advising other parties in the ‘chain’. Deal with the finances: review financial records and facilitate the eventual transfer of funds when the sale is complete.

 

A property survey is not compulsory, but strongly encouraged when purchasing a property. It is a check carried out by a licensed professional which identifies any issues with the building’s condition prior to the new owners finally committing to purchase it. This is so that any risks or future expenses don’t come as a surprise.

The conveyancing solicitor for the seller creates a draft contract which outlines the terms of the sale of the property. It is called a draft contract as it is not legally binding until the contracts are exchanged.

Completion day is the final stage in conveyancing and is when the buyer takes possession of the property. It is when the funds are transferred across, and usually takes place anywhere between a week and a month from contracts being exchanged. This length of time can be affected by many things:

  • Delays in the money being transferred 
  • How proactive the solicitors and estate agents are in pushing through each stage of the proces
  • Other transactions in the chain
  • The mortgage lender
  • Building delays with newbuild properties

For an update regarding your completion date, ask your conveyancing solicitor.

An exchange of contracts is when the contracts become legally binding and both parties are from that point on, legally obligated to proceed with the property purchase and sale. Completion, meaning the transfer of funds in exchange for ownership of the property, usually happens less than a month later.

The exchange of contracts takes place once each party is happy with the terms set out and all legal checks, property searches and building surveys have taken place.  

A ‘chain’ means that there are several properties that need to change ownership on the same day. A chain will have one person(s) who are only buying at one end of the chain (first-time buyers and investors, for example) and one person(s) at the other end of the chain who are only selling (a company selling newbuild homes, or someone moving into long-term care). Between these two parties will be person(s) who need to both buy and sell a property.

When there is a long chain, conveyancing can take much longer because it can take a while for the ‘chain’ to be ‘complete’. There is also a higher potential for one ‘link’ in the chain to pull out of the purchase, thus, everyone has to wait while the parties involved have to find new buyers/sellers.

Property searches are legal enquiries that a solicitor will make with the relevant authorities in order to gather information about a property that their client is in the process of purchasing. Property searches are required for buyers with a mortgage, but it is still recommended for cash buyers too. 

Property searches will uncover any potential issues like risk of flooding, future developments in the local area, and planning permission restrictions.

Whether you will have to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) when you buy a property depends on its value. From 1st April 2025 in England and Northern Ireland, if you buy a freehold, leasehold, or shared ownership property above £125,000 in value, you will pay SDLT. If you are a first time buyer, you will only pay SDLT if buying a property worth £300,000 or more.

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Excellent

Based on 597 reviews
04 Sep 2026

Vicki is the best out there!

Vicki is just wonderful. She has so much knowledge and her communication is fantastic. She made our whole conveyancing process a delight. Thanks again!


Ally Windsor
28 Aug 2026

Incredible, professional, helpful, easy, quick & simple!

We had a great experience with Eric Robinson from start to finish. If we called, we got answered to straight away, we got answers straight away. If we emailed, it was always replied to the same day. Eric Robinson were amazing from start to finish, we have always used them and would happily continue to and always recommend them to friends and family. We have had to use different services with them and they have always been 10/10! Thank you Chantelle & Joseph for being incredible and making our purchase a smooth easy process. Thank you.


Yoanna Zachariou
27 Aug 2026

Ben Smith conveyancing at Eric Robinson Solicitors

Ben at Eric Robinson Solicitors in Lymington recently carried out conveyancing services for my late parent’s property. Ben was absolutely brilliant throughout the whole process, always ready to answer any questions and provide assurance when doubts crept in. I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ben to anyone looking for open and transparent conveyancing. Thank you Ben!


Phil Sheldrake
25 Aug 2026

I recently used Michelle Parker as my…

I recently used Michelle Parker as my conveyancer and couldn’t be happier with the service she provided. From start to finish, she was extremely proficient — always on top of the details, quick to respond to queries, and clearly very experienced in navigating the conveyancing process. She kept me informed at every stage, explained things clearly when legal jargon could have been confusing, and made what can often be a stressful process feel straightforward and well managed. Nothing was too much trouble, and I always felt I was in safe hands. I’d have no hesitation recommending Michelle to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable conveyancer. Thank you for all your hard work!


peter.doncomsky.com
12 Aug 2026

Highly recommended

Highly recommended, responsive and easy communication the whole way through buying and selling our property. Have had mixed experience with other firms in the past and this was a pleasure!


Emma Chard
06 Aug 2026

excellent service

excellent service. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly. Good communication. Would 100% recommend and use again.


Lisa .A
04 Sep 2026

Vicki is the best out there!

Vicki is just wonderful. She has so much knowledge and her communication is fantastic. She made our whole conveyancing process a delight. Thanks again!


Ally Windsor
28 Aug 2026

Incredible, professional, helpful, easy, quick & simple!

We had a great experience with Eric Robinson from start to finish. If we called, we got answered to straight away, we got answers straight away. If we emailed, it was always replied to the same day. Eric Robinson were amazing from start to finish, we have always used them and would happily continue to and always recommend them to friends and family. We have had to use different services with them and they have always been 10/10! Thank you Chantelle & Joseph for being incredible and making our purchase a smooth easy process. Thank you.


Yoanna Zachariou
27 Aug 2026

Ben Smith conveyancing at Eric Robinson Solicitors

Ben at Eric Robinson Solicitors in Lymington recently carried out conveyancing services for my late parent’s property. Ben was absolutely brilliant throughout the whole process, always ready to answer any questions and provide assurance when doubts crept in. I really wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Ben to anyone looking for open and transparent conveyancing. Thank you Ben!


Phil Sheldrake
25 Aug 2026

I recently used Michelle Parker as my…

I recently used Michelle Parker as my conveyancer and couldn’t be happier with the service she provided. From start to finish, she was extremely proficient — always on top of the details, quick to respond to queries, and clearly very experienced in navigating the conveyancing process. She kept me informed at every stage, explained things clearly when legal jargon could have been confusing, and made what can often be a stressful process feel straightforward and well managed. Nothing was too much trouble, and I always felt I was in safe hands. I’d have no hesitation recommending Michelle to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable conveyancer. Thank you for all your hard work!


peter.doncomsky.com
12 Aug 2026

Highly recommended

Highly recommended, responsive and easy communication the whole way through buying and selling our property. Have had mixed experience with other firms in the past and this was a pleasure!


Emma Chard
06 Aug 2026

excellent service

excellent service. Professional, knowledgeable, friendly. Good communication. Would 100% recommend and use again.


Lisa .A
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