Residential Conveyancing
When you are buying or selling a property you need a conveyancer who is efficient, diligent and dependable. At FSP that is exactly what you will get.
Our Residential Conveyancing specialists are here to help you get your deal done as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Whether you are selling or buying (or doing both), we will do everything we can to ensure that the transaction proceeds smoothly and that you are kept fully informed at all times.
We would never pretend that every transaction runs exactly to plan but the test of a good lawyer is how he or she negotiates the bumps along the way. There is no getting away from the fact that your lawyer needs to be technically competent as well as having a good helping of common sense. That is what you will get at FSP. The other key ingredient is an efficient partnership between lawyer and client and we work very hard to ensure that this is achieved.
The group works closely with the firm’s wills, trusts and estates team and the divorce, family and civil partnership team to assist clients needing to transfer property following death or relationship breakdown.
In addition, the group offers specialist advice on rural, commercial, and development matters affecting Landed Estates & Country Homes, drawing on the combined experience of our Agriculture & Rural Land, Wills, Trusts & Estates and Real Estate teams to support high-value transactions and complex estate planning.
- Acting for clients selling a large town house in central London for just under £10 million
- Acting for the receiver appointed by a mortgage lender to sell a portfolio of properties that had been repossessed
- Acting for clients buying a country manor house with substantial land and buildings in need of complete renovation
- Acting for the buyers of high value apartments in Central London, including compliance with landlords’ requirements
- Acting for banks offering secured lending to individuals and companies
- Acting for local and national development companies in relation to the sale of newly-built properties.
- Assisting investment purchasers with the acquisition of a number of properties bought “off plan”
- Preparing documentation required to dispose of a large portfolio of properties at auction
- Arranging for properties to be transferred to various family members following the death of the owner
- Transferring ownership of properties pursuant to a Court Order made in divorce proceedings and documenting the resulting beneficial interests of the parties
- Advising a client in relation to the first registration of land where the title deeds had been lost
- Assisting clients with an application to register a right of way acquired by long use
- Assisting clients in the release of restrictive covenants imposed for the benefit of adjoining land
Conveyancing FAQ’s (England and Wales)
- What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. It involves carrying out legal checks, reviewing and preparing documents, dealing with mortgage lenders, handling funds, and registering the new owner and mortgage with HM Land Registry.
- How long does the conveyancing process take?
Most transactions take 8–12 weeks from the date an offer is accepted to completion. Timescales can vary depending on mortgage arrangements, search results, enquiries, and whether there is a chain of related sales and purchases.
- What searches are carried out when buying a property?
Standard searches include:
- Local Authority Search
- Water and Drainage Search
- Environmental Search
Depending on the location, additional searches may be recommended, such as mining or flood‑risk searches.
- Do I need a survey as well as conveyancing searches?
Yes. Searches provide information about legal and environmental matters, while a survey checks the physical condition of the property. A survey is strongly recommended, especially for older properties or those that have been extended or altered.
- When do I become legally committed to the purchase or sale?
You become legally committed at exchange of contracts. Until exchange, either party can withdraw from the transaction without legal penalties (other than their own costs). After exchange, both parties must complete the transaction on the agreed completion date.
- What is the difference between exchange and completion?
- Exchange of contracts: Both parties sign the contract, the buyer pays their deposit to their solicitor and once the contracts are exchanged, the agreement becomes legally binding. A completion date is fixed.
- Completion: The remaining funds are transferred, the keys are released by the estate agent to the buyer, and legal ownership passes to the buyer.
- What is the difference between a mortgage deposit and a contract deposit?
Mortgage Deposit
This is the amount you put towards the purchase price when taking out a mortgage. It reduces the amount you borrow. For example, with a 90% mortgage, your mortgage deposit is 10% of the price. This is provided to your solicitor before completion.
Contract Deposit
This is the amount paid on exchange of contracts to make the agreement legally binding. The amount required under the Standard Conditions of Sale is 10% of the purchase price.
How they relate
They are not separate payments — the contract deposit normally forms part of the overall mortgage deposit. At completion, the rest of your funds are paid to make up the full deposit required for your mortgage.
- What is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)?
You must pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) if you buy a property, or land, over a certain price in England. The tax payable in Wales differs and is known as Land Transaction Tax (LTT).
As of the 1st April 2025, the thresholds where Stamp Duty Land Tax is payable have been reduced. How much Stamp Duty Land Tax you pay will differ depending on whether the land or property you are purchasing will be used as residential property, non-residential or mixed-use.
If you are purchasing a residential property there are different rates of Stamp Duty Land Tax applicable if you are a First Time Buyer, purchasing at higher rates or are not considered to be a UK-resident for Stamp Duty purposes.
- What documents will I need to provide?
You may need:
- Proof of identity
- Bank statements or evidence of funds
- A formal mortgage offer
- For sellers: Property Information Form (TA6), Fittings and Contents Form (TA10), and the Leasehold Information Form (TA7) if applicable
- What happens on completion day?
The buyer’s solicitor transfers the completion funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once received, the estate agent is authorised to release the keys to the buyer. The buyer’s solicitor then deals with any SDLT due and registers the property in the buyer’s name with HM Land Registry. The seller’s solicitor normally settles the seller’s mortgage redemption (if any) and estate agent fees on behalf of the seller from the sale proceeds, before deducting the solicitor’s own fees and sending the balance to the seller.
- Can I buy or sell a property without using a solicitor?
While it is legally possible, it is strongly advised to use a qualified solicitor or licensed conveyancer. Property transactions involve complex legal issues, strict regulations, and large financial risks and you may face difficulties with mortgage lenders and HM Land Registry without the involvement of a professional.
- What is a property chain and how can it affect my transaction?
A chain occurs when several linked property transactions rely on one another completing on the same day. Delays in any part of the chain can affect all parties. Your solicitor and estate agents will help manage the process and keep you informed.
- Do I need a solicitor if I’m a cash buyer?
Yes. Even without a mortgage, legal checks and searches (or advice on whether to waive them) are important to protect you against issues such as title defects, boundary issues, planning breaches, or fraud.
- What are disbursements?
Disbursements are third‑party fees your solicitor pays on your behalf. These may include search fees, Land Registry fees, bank transfer fees, and management information fees for leasehold properties.
- What happens if my purchase or sale falls through?
If a transaction collapses before exchange, you will not owe the full legal fee but you may still need to pay for any work already completed, such as searches or obtaining Office Copies from HM Land Registry.
- Do you act on leasehold properties?
Yes. However, leasehold transactions involve additional work, including reviewing the lease terms, management company information, service charge accounts, ground rent provisions, and any required compliance certificates. Leasehold transactions require involvement from third parties, and this can impact the time it takes to reach exchange and completion.
- Do you act for buyers and sellers?
Generally, we would only act for either the seller or the buyer during a transaction. This is to make sure we act in our client’s best interests. The majority of high-street mortgage lenders will require separate representation for each party to avoid any conflicts of interest. Even when representing only one party, we continue to liaise with other parties to progress the transaction smoothly and efficiently.
Contact us
Complete the form or speak to our Head of Residential Conveyancing
