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Conveyancing Explained
The Conveyancing Process Stages (Buying)
We have simplified and condensed the conveyancing process into key stages:
- Pre Contract – The draft contract pack has been received, your conveyancer will examine the contract, title deed and any forms completed by the seller, raising any enquires if needed.
- Searches – The searches will now be carried out, giving essential information about the property. You can find more information on searches here.
- Exchange – All parties will need to agree a completion date. The contracts will now be exchanged, the buyer and the seller are now legally bound to complete the transaction.
- Completion – Your conveyancer would have drawn up the transfer deed ready. Once the seller receives the balance of the money that is due, the transaction can be completed. The keys are released and the buyer can move into the property.
- Post Completion – The solicitor dealing with the transaction will pay any Land Transaction Tax or Stamp Duty due and register the new ownership with the land registry.
The Conveyancing Process Stages (Selling)
- Title Deeds – The conveyancer obtains the title deeds and any other documents required by the Land Registry, plus details of anything outstanding on any existing mortgage.
- Contract – The draft contract is sent to the buyer’s conveyancer and any pre-contract enquiries are raised with the seller’s conveyancer.
- Exchange – The buyer’s conveyancer is happy with the results of the searches and the answers to the pre-contract enquiries, the contracts can now be exchanged. The buyer and the seller are now legally bound to complete the transaction.
- Completion – Both parties set a competition date, the seller vacates the property and makes arrangements to hand over the keys. The seller’s conveyancer sends the title deed and transfer deed to the buyer’s conveyancer.
Note: These points have been simplified, we’ve only include the basics to inform readers. Every transaction can vary so the processes mentioned will be different for most.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
You must pay Stamp Duty Land Tax if you buy a property or land over a certain price in England and Northern Ireland.
You can use HM Revenue and Customs’ Stamp Duty Land Tax calculator to work out how much tax you’ll pay.
Land Transaction Tax (LTT)
Land Transaction Tax replaced Stamp Duty Land Tax in Wales from April 2018. You must pay LTT if you buy a property or land over a certain price in Wales.
You can use the Welsh Government’s Land Transaction Tax calculator to work out how much tax you’ll pay.
Our Panel
Here at Sturgess we have built lasting, professional and personal relationships with a whole host of local Conveyancing firms. Your Conveyancer will have a massive impact on the speed and accuracy of your purchase or remortgage. Therefore, it's absolutely crucial to work with someone who echoes our core value of "putting the client at the heart of everything we do".
To that end we've built a dedicated Conveyancing Panel where we personally recommend each of the firms based on experience.
Contact us today or visit Our Partners webpage and we'll put you in touch with the right people.
