What is conveyancing? A Complete Guide for Home Buyers and Sellers
Conveyancing can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Our comprehensive guide breaks down the conveyancing process and explains the key concepts you need to know.
Your guide to conveyancing
Conveyancing is a key part of buying or selling a home but it’s often misunderstood. If you’re asking what is conveyancing and do I need it?, this guide will walk you through everything from searches and contracts to final completion.
Whether you’re stepping onto the property ladder or moving up it, understanding conveyancing is essential. And with OneDome, it’s simpler, faster, and more connected than ever.
What is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal and administrative process of transferring a property from one owner to another. It happens whenever you:
- Buy a home
- Sell a home
- Transfer equity or remortgage
The process ensures everything is above board from checking legal ownership and restrictions to handling contracts and moving funds securely.
Related: How to get your first mortgage
Who does the conveyancing?
You’ll need to appoint a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to manage the process. They’ll:
- Handle contracts and legal paperwork
- Liaise with your mortgage lender
- Raise and resolve enquiries
- Register ownership with HM Land Registry
Step-by-step: How conveyancing works
3. Instructing a conveyancer
You’ll begin by choosing and instructing a solicitor or conveyancer to act on your behalf. You’ll receive a terms of engagement contract and be asked to provide ID and an upfront payment for searches.
4. Draft contracts and legal documents
- Your conveyancer will request key documents from the seller’s solicitor, including:
Draft contract - Property title
- Standard property forms
They’ll review everything and raise any enquiries such as boundaries, shared access, or building permissions.
5. Property searches
These ensure there are no nasty surprises hiding behind the scenes. Common searches include:
- Environmental Search – this is where the conveyancer will search for any potential environmental hazards, such as ground stability issues or the aforementioned floods. You’ll also receive information on other nearby environmental issues, such as landfill sites, industry (former and current), radon gas potential, and residual toxic chemicals (such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and other heavy metals).
- Title register and title plan checks – these are documents that confirm the legal ownership of the seller’s property. You can’t sell a property without them.
- Location-specific search – some areas in the UK could have unique factors that impact properties. Cornwall for example, with its legacy of tin mining, can be subject to unique checks that make sure a property isn’t near enough to an old mine, such that its foundations may be threatened.
6. Leasehold or Freehold
If you’re buying a leasehold property, your conveyancer will review the lease terms. Anything under 80 years may need negotiating — and leases under 60 years can be a red flag due to extension rules and added costs.
7. Mortgage checks and signing
Your lender will send your mortgage offer to your solicitor, who will review the terms and prepare the mortgage deed for you to sign.
Need a mortgage first? Start with a Mortgage in Principle
8. Contract negotiation
Once all searches and enquiries are complete, both sides agree on the final contract terms. These include the sale price, fixtures and fittings, and your proposed completion date.
9. Exchange and completion
When contracts are exchanged, both buyer and seller are legally committed. On completion day:
- Your lender releases mortgage funds
- Your solicitor transfers the money to the seller
- The keys are released — and you can move in!
Why conveyancing matters for mortgage buyers
If you’re buying with a mortgage, conveyancing isn’t optional. It’s required by your lender to:
- Confirm legal ownership and property value
- Ensure no disputes or restrictions exist
- Register the property in your name with the Land Registry
How OneDome helps with conveyancing
OneDome brings everything including mortgages, legal work, progress tracking into one smart platform. You can:
✅ Compare conveyancers and get fixed-fee quotes
✅ Share documents securely online
✅ Track every stage of the process in real time
✅ Speed up communication between all parties
And when you instruct a conveyancer through OneDome, you get complimentary completion insurance worth up to £2,250 giving you peace of mind if your sale or purchase falls through.
OneDome is here to help
Choosing a mortgage is complex, but OneDome is here to help. If you have questions about rates, types of mortgages, or how conveyancing fits into the process:
- Speak to our friendly mortgage advisors: 01489 555 080
- Explore our complete mortgage guide
- Get started on your mortgage in principle here
Important: Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
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