Conveyancing Process and Timeline: Your Complete Guide to Buying and Selling a Property

Coordinating a sale and purchase doesn’t need to be stressful. With ConveyQuote, everything is handled seamlessly, keeping your move simple and stress-free from start to finish.

Our trusted award-winning conveyancing firms handle both sides of your transaction with efficiency and care, supported by the latest industry technology to keep you informed and updated at every stage of the buying and selling process.

Whether you are upsizing, downsizing, or moving for a fresh start, this guide explains the process, what your conveyancer does, how long things take, and how to make your move as smooth as possible. If you need advice, our friendly team are always here to help on 02081 584466.

When you request a quote through ConveyQuote, we compare conveyancing quotes from award-winning property experts that are carefully selected for their exceptional client service, clear communication, and ability to achieve some of the fastest transaction timelines in the UK.

When you are selling a property, your Conveyancer will prepare the contract pack, respond to enquiries from the buyer’s Conveyancer, redeem your mortgage, pay your estate agent, and transfer the remaining proceeds to your account.

When you are buying, your Conveyancer will handle all the legal work required to transfer ownership, including reviewing contracts, carrying out property searches, checking the title, liaising with your mortgage lender, and ensuring all funds are transferred securely on completion.

Having one Conveyancer manage both sides of your move saves time, reduces paperwork, and simplifies communication, giving you peace of mind that your sale and purchase are moving forward smoothly and on schedule.

On average in the UK buying and selling transactions take between 16 and 20 weeks to complete, though every transaction is unique. Timelines can vary depending on the number of parties in the chain, the type of property, and how quickly information is shared between all parties.

Our conveyancing experts are chosen for their ability to deliver an exceptional service to their clients but also achieve some the fastest transaction timelines in the UK.

Your conveyancer will keep both transactions aligned to avoid delays between your sale and purchase. You can help speed things up by completing all forms quickly, sending proof of funds promptly, and responding to any questions as soon as they arise.

At the start of your transaction, your Conveyancer will request the essential details and documents needed to begin work on both properties. Your proof of identification will be essential as part of our Anti-Money Laundering processes and will include:

• Your passport
• Drivers Licence
• Bank Statements
• Utility Bills
• Or other identification documents as needed

Your Conveyancer will request these documents from you at the outset of your transaction.

For your sale, you will need to provide:

• The Seller’s Property Information Form
• Fixtures, Fittings and Contents Form
• Leasehold Property Information Form (if applicable)

You may also be asked to provide supporting documents such as your Energy Performance Certificate, planning permissions, building regulation certificates, or guarantees for works or installations.

For your purchase, you will need:

• Proof of Funds & Source of Wealth information
• Mortgage details (if applicable)

Your Conveyancer will guide you through every step of the process but the key to speeding up your transaction is providing your documents as soon as possible at the start of your Sale and Purchase.

As part of the initial onboarding process, you’ll need to provide confirmation that you have the funds available to complete your purchase. If you are buying with a mortgage, you must also show that your deposit is ready to be transferred before exchange of contracts.

At ConveyQuote, our firms make this step quick and secure through their secure online client portal. You’ll be asked to connect your bank using a secure link so your Conveyancer can verify your proof of funds safely and efficiently. Alternatively, bank statements will be required and must be within your name. Any gifts from family or friends to assist with your deposit must also be declared and additional checks will be required on the gift or who provides these funds to you.

In addition to providing the funds exist in your account, we may request additional information or documents to verify how your funds were obtained. This is referred to as the Source of Funds and forms part of your Conveyancer’s legal responsibility under anti-money laundering regulations.

To comply with legal and regulatory requirements, we must confirm where your funds originated. You may need to provide documents such as recent bank statements showing savings built up over time, proof of a property sale, payslips, or evidence of other assets being liquidated.

During your onboarding stage, you’ll be asked to provide a breakdown of all the funds being used for your purchase and upload the relevant supporting documents for each source. Supplying this information early helps your Conveyancer progress your transaction smoothly and avoid delays.

Your Conveyancer will be unable to exchange contracts or complete your purchase until all proof of funds and source of wealth checks have been completed. To prevent any delays your Conveyancer, please ensure all of this information is requested at the outset of your transaction.

If you are purchasing a property, your Conveyancer will carry out several searches to uncover key details about the property and its surrounding area. These typically include Local Authority, Water and Drainage, and Environmental checks, with additional reports such as Flood or Mining searches where necessary.

If you are buying with a mortgage, these searches are required by your lender, although cash buyers are also strongly advised to complete them. Once the results are received, your Conveyancer will review the findings, explain to you any issues that may need attention, and provide a clear summary of the outcomes.

If you have a mortgage on the property you are selling, your Conveyancer will contact your lender to obtain a redemption statement showing the amount needed to repay your loan on the day of completion.

If you are taking out a new mortgage for your purchase, your Conveyancer will review your mortgage offer ensure all lender conditions are satisfied before exchange. They will also review your mortgage deed and transfer deed in readiness for completion.

It is important to continue making your mortgage payments until your Conveyancer confirms completion has taken place.

Exchange is the stage where both your sale and purchase become legally binding. Your Conveyancer will confirm all details are correct and ensure both transactions are ready to exchange on the same day.

At this point, you will:

• Pay your deposit for the new property (usually around 10%)
• Agree a completion date for both transactions
• Confirm that buildings insurance is in place for your new home

Once exchange is complete, you can finalise your moving arrangements and feel confident your move is secured.

Completion is the day everything comes together. Your conveyancer will receive funds from your buyer and send the money for your purchase to the seller’s conveyancer.

Once the payments have cleared and completion has been confirmed between the conveyancers on each side of the transaction, you can collect the keys to your new home. Your old mortgage is redeemed, your sale proceeds are distributed, and your conveyancer will confirm once both sides are complete.

It’s always a good idea to keep in touch with your Conveyancer and estate agent on completion day so you know exactly when to hand over and collect keys.

Following completion, your conveyancer will take care of post-completion matters such as paying Stamp Duty Land Tax, registering your new ownership at HM Land Registry, and confirming that your previous mortgage has been redeemed.

If you are selling a property that isn’t your main residence, such as a buy-to-let or second home, you may need to report and pay Capital Gains Tax. Your conveyancer will guide you through every stage of the process.

Buying and selling both involve large financial transfers, so it’s vital to stay protected during the process.

Our trusted conveyancing experts here at ConveyQuote use secure systems and verification checks to safeguard your funds and personal information.

Your Conveyancer will NEVER email you to inform you of new or changed bank details. Always confirm payment information by phone using a verified number. Avoid sharing details about your move on social media to reduce the risk of online fraud.

The best way to ensure your move stays on track is to:

• Complete and return all forms promptly
• Provide proof of funds/source of wealth documents early
• Respond quickly to your conveyancer’s requests
• Arrange your mortgage in advance
• Communicate clearly with your conveyancer and estate agent

With ConveyQuote, you benefit from the expert guidance of our trusted, award-winning conveyancing professionals who are recognised for achieving the fastest transaction speeds in the UK. You can feel confident knowing you are in safe hands, with professionals dedicated to guiding you to completion as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Get a free instant conveyancing quote today with ConveyQuote. Compare trusted, regulated, award-winning conveyancing firms and choose the right expert to guide you through every step of your house move.