Conveyancing

Conveyancing is the legal and administrative process of transferring ownership of property from one party to another. In England and Wales, the process is carried out by solicitors or licensed conveyancers instructed by both the buyer and the seller.

The conveyancing process typically involves: reviewing and agreeing the draft contract and title documents, conducting property searches (local authority, drainage, environmental), reviewing survey reports and raising enquiries based on findings, obtaining and reviewing the mortgage offer (if applicable), exchanging contracts with payment of the deposit, and finally completing the purchase.

The process typically takes 8-16 weeks for a straightforward freehold purchase, longer for leasehold properties, properties with title complications, or purchases in chains. Auction purchases have fixed timelines (usually 28 days) which require the legal work to be substantially complete before the auction.

Choosing an experienced conveyancer matters. A specialist in investment property will understand the additional considerations relevant to BTL: leasehold covenants that affect lettability, licensing compliance, limited company purchase structures, and the issues that can affect a property's value or legal status.