Conveyancing Guides
The legal process, timelines, and what to expect when selling your home.
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. It typically takes eight to twelve weeks and involves instructing a solicitor, exchanging contracts, and completing the sale. These guides explain each step in plain English — from choosing the right conveyancer and understanding the protocol forms, to knowing what happens on completion day and how to avoid the most common delays.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take in 2026? Average Timelines
Conveyancing takes 12–16 weeks on average in 2026. Week-by-week timelines, the biggest cause of delays, and how to complete in 6–8 weeks with no chain.
Conveyancing · 8 minWhat Happens Between Exchange and Completion for Sellers?
A step-by-step guide to what sellers need to do between exchanging contracts and completion day, including timelines and key actions.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Speed Up Conveyancing as a Seller
Practical steps sellers can take to reduce conveyancing delays, from preparing documents early to chasing solicitors effectively.
Conveyancing · 10 minFastest Conveyancing in the UK: What Is Actually Achievable
The average is 123 days; the practical floor is closer to four weeks. What separates them, and which of those factors a seller controls.
Conveyancing · 11 minHow to Exchange Contracts in 4 Weeks
Four weeks from offer to exchange is achievable but nothing about it is accidental. The week-by-week plan, the prerequisites, and where it breaks.
Conveyancing · 11 minQuestions to Ask a Conveyancer About Speed
Median time-to-exchange varies by around 40 days between firms. Ten questions that reveal which end you are hiring, and the answers to walk away from.
Conveyancing · 9 minWhy Completion Times Are Getting Worse, Not Better
Instruction to completion hit 123 days in 2025, 18% worse than 2019, while AI adoption doubled. Why the process is slowing and what actually reverses it.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat Are Conveyancing Enquiries and How Should Sellers Respond?
Understanding the enquiries your buyer's solicitor will raise, why they matter, and how to answer them quickly and accurately.
Conveyancing · 10 minSimultaneous Exchange and Completion: How It Works
When exchange and completion happen on the same day, what the risks are, and whether it makes sense for your sale.
Conveyancing · 8 minWhat Does My Solicitor Actually Do When I Sell a House?
A clear breakdown of every task your solicitor handles during a property sale, from drafting contracts to transferring ownership.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Instruct a Solicitor for Selling Your House
What you need to do to formally instruct a conveyancer, when to start, and what information they will ask for upfront.
Conveyancing · 8 minSolicitor vs Conveyancer: What Is the Difference?
The key differences between a solicitor and a licensed conveyancer, and how to decide which is right for your property sale.
Conveyancing · 8 minCQS Accreditation Explained: Does Your Solicitor Need It?
What the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme means, why lenders require it, and how to check if your solicitor has it.
Conveyancing · 8 minWhat Is the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol?
How the Law Society's conveyancing protocol standardises the sale process and what it means for sellers dealing with solicitors.
Conveyancing · 8 minHow Long After Searches to Exchange Contracts?
The typical timeline between property searches coming back and exchanging contracts, and what can cause delays at this stage.
Conveyancing · 8 minPre-Contract Enquiries Explained for Sellers
What pre-contract enquiries are, the most common ones buyers raise, and how to prepare your answers to avoid delays.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat Happens on Completion Day? Seller's Step-by-Step Guide
Everything that happens on completion day when selling: when funds arrive, when to hand over keys, what your solicitor does, and when you receive your sale proceeds.
Conveyancing · 10 minTransfer of Ownership When Selling a House: How It Works
How property ownership is legally transferred from seller to buyer, including the role of the Land Registry and TR1 form.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhen Should You Start Conveyancing When Selling?
Whether to instruct a solicitor before listing or after accepting an offer, and the pros and cons of each approach.
Conveyancing · 8 minConveyancing Checklist for Sellers: Everything You Need
A complete checklist of documents, forms, and tasks sellers need to handle during the conveyancing process.
Conveyancing · 12 minWhat Is a Completion Statement When Selling a House?
How to read your completion statement, what the figures mean, and how to check that your solicitor's calculations are correct.
Conveyancing · 8 minWhat Are Undertakings in Conveyancing?
How solicitors' undertakings work in property sales, why they are legally binding, and what sellers need to know about them.
Conveyancing · 8 minOnline Conveyancing: Pros and Cons for Sellers
Whether online conveyancing is right for your sale, how it compares to high street solicitors, and what to watch out for.
Conveyancing · 10 minCan AI Speed Up Conveyancing? What It Actually Does in 2026
8 in 10 conveyancing firms now use AI, yet average completion times got worse. What AI genuinely accelerates, what it cannot reach, and why the two differ.
Conveyancing · 10 minAI Conveyancing: What It Can and Cannot Do
A task-by-task breakdown of what AI handles in a property transaction, what still needs a qualified human, and where the line sits.
Conveyancing · 10 minIs AI Conveyancing Safe? Regulation, Liability and Your Data
What the SRA and Law Society require when solicitors use AI, who is liable if it gets something wrong, and what happens to your data.
Conveyancing · 9 minAI vs a Traditional Conveyancing Firm: What Actually Differs
Eight in ten firms already use AI, so this is not a choice between AI and no AI. What genuinely separates conveyancers in 2026, and how to weigh it.
Conveyancing · 10 minAI Title Review and Enquiries: What Changes for Sellers
Title review and enquiry drafting are where AI has changed conveyancing most. What that means for your timeline and your paperwork.
Conveyancing · 9 minConveyancing for Remortgage: What Sellers Need to Know
How remortgage conveyancing works if you are selling with an existing mortgage, including redemption and the transfer process.
Conveyancing · 10 minAdverse Possession When Selling Property
What adverse possession (squatter’s rights) means for sellers, how it can affect a sale, what to check on your title, and how to resolve issues before selling.
Conveyancing · 11 minOverriding Interests When Selling Property
What overriding interests are under UK land law, how they can affect a property sale, common examples like occupation rights and easements, and how sellers should disclose them.
Conveyancing · 10 minWeek-by-Week Conveyancing Timeline for Sellers (2026)
A detailed breakdown of what happens each week from accepting an offer to completion.
Conveyancing · 13 minHow Long Does Exchange of Contracts Take?
What affects the time between agreeing a sale and exchanging contracts, and how to speed it up.
Conveyancing · 12 minCommon Delays Between Exchange and Completion
What can go wrong between exchange and completion day, and how to handle last-minute problems.
Conveyancing · 11 minCan You Start Conveyancing Before Getting an Offer?
The pros, cons, and costs of instructing a solicitor before finding a buyer.
Conveyancing · 9 minAverage Time from Offer to Exchange in the UK 2026
Current statistics on how long it takes from accepted offer to exchange, and what causes delays.
Conveyancing · 12 minHow Long Does Conveyancing Take with No Chain in 2026?
Why chain-free sales are faster, what the typical timeline is, and what can still cause delays.
Conveyancing · 11 minThe Most Common Conveyancing Delays and How to Avoid Them
The top reasons for conveyancing delays and practical steps to prevent each one.
Conveyancing · 11 minWhat Happens If Completion Is Delayed?
Your legal rights and options if the buyer or their solicitor delays completion beyond the agreed date.
Conveyancing · 12 minHow Long Does a Mortgage Offer Last in 2026?
How long your buyer's mortgage offer is valid, what happens when it expires, and how to avoid problems.
Conveyancing · 12 minWhat Order Do Things Happen When Selling a House?
A step-by-step overview of the entire selling process from valuation to handing over the keys.
Conveyancing · 11 minHow Long Should It Take for Your Solicitor to Respond?
Reasonable response times from your solicitor and when you should escalate.
Conveyancing · 9 minWhat Causes Gazundering and How to Prevent It
Why buyers reduce their offer at the last minute and how sellers can protect themselves.
Conveyancing · 11 minIs Conveyancing Faster with Cash Buyers?
Why cash sales are quicker, what is still needed, and the realistic timeline.
Conveyancing · 12 minHow Long Do Local Searches Take by Council?
Local authority search times by region and what sellers can do to speed things up.
Conveyancing · 9 minDoes Conveyancing Slow Down Over Christmas?
How the Christmas period affects your sale timeline and how to plan around it.
Conveyancing · 10 minCan You Complete on a Friday? Pros and Cons
Why Friday completions are popular, the risks involved, and when to choose a different day.
Conveyancing · 9 minHow Long Does Stamp Duty Take to Process in 2026?
When stamp duty must be paid after completion and what happens if it is late.
Conveyancing · 11 minCan You Exchange Before Getting a Mortgage Offer?
Whether exchange without a formal mortgage offer is possible and the risks involved.
Conveyancing · 11 minHow Long Does Land Registry Take? Processing Times 2026
HM Land Registry currently takes 4–6 months for standard registrations in 2026. Processing times by application type and how to track your application.
Conveyancing · 12 minConveyancing After an Auction Sale: The 28-Day Timeline
The tight deadlines for completing a sale after auction and what sellers must prepare.
Conveyancing · 11 minHow Long Does Probate Take Before You Can Sell?
The probate timeline and when you can legally market and sell a deceased person's property.
Conveyancing · 11 minNotice to Complete: What It Means for Sellers
When a notice to complete can be served, what it requires, and the consequences of failing to comply.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Prepare for Exchange Day as a Seller
A checklist of everything you need to have ready before your solicitor exchanges contracts.
Conveyancing · 11 minExchange of Contracts Explained for Sellers
What actually happens when contracts are exchanged, what becomes legally binding, and your obligations.
Conveyancing · 11 minWhat Is a Long Stop Date in Conveyancing?
How long stop dates protect both parties in a property transaction and what happens if the deadline passes.
Conveyancing · 9 minConveyancing for New Build Properties: Timeline and Process
How new build conveyancing differs from resale, including reservation agreements, NHBC warranties, and developer timelines.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow Long After Valuation Does a Mortgage Offer Take in 2026?
The typical wait between your buyer’s property valuation and receiving a formal mortgage offer.
Conveyancing · 9 minWhat Happens After Exchange: Seller’s Checklist
Everything you need to do between exchange of contracts and completion day as a seller.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Complain About Your Solicitor
The formal complaints process for conveyancing solicitors, from internal complaints to the Legal Ombudsman.
Conveyancing · 10 minCan You Switch Solicitor During a House Sale?
How to change solicitor mid-transaction, what it costs, and how to minimise delays.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat to Expect From Your Solicitor During a Sale
Realistic expectations for communication, timelines, and what your solicitor should be doing at each stage.
Conveyancing · 10 minDo I Need a Local Solicitor to Sell My House?
Whether a local solicitor offers advantages over an online or remote conveyancer.
Conveyancing · 9 minWhat to Ask a Solicitor Before Instructing Them
Key questions to ask before choosing your conveyancing solicitor, from fees to timescales.
Conveyancing · 9 minSolicitor Negligence in a House Sale
How to identify negligence, what compensation you may be entitled to, and how to make a claim.
Conveyancing · 11 minCan I Do My Own Conveyancing?
Whether DIY conveyancing is realistic, the risks involved, and when it might work.
Conveyancing · 10 minFixed Fee vs Hourly Rate Conveyancing
The pros and cons of each fee structure and how to avoid unexpected conveyancing bills.
Conveyancing · 10 minConveyancing Factory Firms: Pros and Cons
How high-volume conveyancing firms compare to smaller practices, and what to watch out for.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat Is a Panel Solicitor?
How mortgage lender panels work, why it matters, and what to do if your solicitor is not on the panel.
Conveyancing · 9 minWhat Happens to the Deposit Your Solicitor Holds?
How your solicitor handles the exchange deposit, where it is kept, and when it is released.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat Is a Retainer in Conveyancing?
How conveyancing retainers work, when your solicitor holds funds on retention, and your rights.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat Is a Client Care Letter in Conveyancing?
What the client care letter contains, why it matters, and what to check before signing.
Conveyancing · 9 minSolicitor Identity Checks: Why They Are Needed
Why your solicitor needs to verify your identity, what documents they accept, and how long it takes.
Conveyancing · 9 minSource of Funds in Conveyancing: What You Need to Provide
What evidence your solicitor needs about where your money comes from and why.
Conveyancing · 9 minHow Solicitors Handle Completion Money
How funds move between solicitors on completion day, including telegraphic transfers and timings.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Read Your Conveyancing Bill
Understanding the charges, disbursements, and VAT on your final conveyancing invoice.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Check If Your Solicitor Is Regulated
How to verify your solicitor is authorised, what protections regulation gives you, and red flags.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhat Does Conveyancing Actually Include?
A detailed list of every task your solicitor performs as part of the conveyancing process.
Conveyancing · 11 minDual Representation in Conveyancing: When One Solicitor Acts for Both Sides
How dual representation works, when it is appropriate, and the potential conflicts.
Conveyancing · 10 minWhen Do You Need Two Solicitors?
Situations where you may need separate solicitors for the same transaction and why.
Conveyancing · 10 minSolicitor Professional Indemnity Insurance: Why It Matters
How your solicitor’s PI insurance protects you and what to do if something goes wrong.
Conveyancing · 10 minIs Upfront Conveyancing Worth the Cost?
Whether starting conveyancing before finding a buyer saves time and money, and when it makes financial sense for sellers.
Conveyancing · 10 minFurther Enquiries: Why Buyers Keep Asking More Questions
Why buyers' solicitors raise additional rounds of enquiries, what triggers them, and how to respond without delaying your sale.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow Many Rounds of Enquiries Is Normal When Selling?
What to expect in terms of enquiry rounds during a property sale, when multiple rounds become a concern, and how to keep things moving.
Conveyancing · 8 minEnquiries About Rights of Way and Easements
How to respond when the buyer's solicitor raises enquiries about easements, rights of way, and access across your property.
Conveyancing · 8 minEnquiries About Boiler and Heating Systems
How to handle buyer enquiries about your boiler age, service history, and heating system, and what documentation you need.
Conveyancing · 8 minDraft Contract Pack: What It Is and Why It Matters
What goes into the draft contract pack your solicitor prepares, why it matters for a smooth sale, and how to speed it up.
Conveyancing · 10 minS38 Agreements: Highway Adoption and Your Sale
What a Section 38 agreement means for property sellers, how unadopted roads affect your sale, and what buyers need to know.
Conveyancing · 8 minConveyancing Jargon Buster: Every Term Explained
A plain-English glossary of every conveyancing term you will encounter when selling your property in England or Wales.
Conveyancing · 15 minWhen to Instruct a Solicitor Before Listing
Why instructing a solicitor before listing your property saves weeks and reduces fall-through risk. Includes a practical timeline and cost breakdown.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow Long From Mortgage Valuation to Offer in 2026?
The mortgage valuation to offer stage typically takes 1–4 weeks in 2026. Learn what happens between the valuation and the formal mortgage offer, common delays, and how sellers can help.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow Long Does a Buyer’s Survey Take? A Seller’s Timeline Guide
How long buyer surveys take from booking to report, what causes delays, and how survey timing fits into the overall conveyancing timeline.
Conveyancing · 10 minExchange to Completion: How Long Is the Gap and What Sets It?
The gap between exchange of contracts and completion day is usually 1 to 2 weeks — often tighter than sellers expect. What really sets the timeline and how to plan for it.
Conveyancing · 10 minHow to Choose a Conveyancer in 2026: A Seller's Guide
Picking the right conveyancer can change your sale timeline by 40+ days. Evaluation criteria, red flags, fees explained, and how to compare quotes properly.
Conveyancing · 11 minShould I Use My Estate Agent's Recommended Conveyancer?
Estate agents earn £200–£400 per case from panel conveyancers. How recommendations actually work, when they're a good idea, and how to evaluate one fairly.
Conveyancing · 9 minMortgage Lender Conveyancer Panels: What They Are and When They Matter
Mortgage lenders maintain panels of approved conveyancers. As a seller, do you need a panel firm? When does it matter, and when does it cost you money?
Conveyancing · 8 minMy Conveyancer Is Too Slow: What to Do
Slow conveyancing is the single most common cause of UK property sale delay. The diagnostic to identify whether the slowness is your conveyancer, the other side, or your own inputs.
Conveyancing · 10 min
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