Conveyancing Process for Sellers: Time is Money - Save Both

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Updated: July 2025

The conveyancing process for sellers is the series of legal steps needed to transfer your property to the buyer, starting from accepting an offer through to completion day. Sellers who prepare properly, work with a proactive solicitor, and respond quickly to requests are more likely to avoid delays, save on costs, and complete their sale smoothly.

Key Takeaways:

Preparation is key get your documents sorted early and choose an experienced solicitor.
Respond quickly to enquiries to avoid delays or lost sales.
Hidden fees and legal pitfalls can add up, so know what to expect and how to avoid them.

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Step-by-Step Conveyancing Process for Sellers

Step 1: Choose the Right Solicitor
A good solicitor is essential for a smooth and fast sale. Look for one with experience in quick completions, clear and upfront fees, and strong communication.

Expert comment from our Property Expert Paul Gibbens:

“From my experience, choosing the right solicitor isn’t just about price, it’s about speed and service. I always advise sellers to look for someone who communicates effectively and has a proven track record of completing transactions quickly. The right solicitor can make or break your sale.”

Step 2: Get Your Documents Ready
Prepare all key paperwork before listing, including your property title deeds, mortgage information, guarantees, and relevant property forms (TA6, TA10, TA7). Most delays occur because sellers don’t have the necessary documents ready, particularly FENSA certificates, warranties, or fully completed forms.

Step 3: Instruct Your Solicitor and Estate Agent
Once chosen, your solicitor will draft contracts, contact the buyer’s solicitor, and handle the legal process. Your estate agent markets your property, manages offers, and helps with negotiations.

Step 4: Deal With Enquiries and Property Searches
Buyers and their solicitors will have questions about boundaries, disputes, building work, or utilities. Fast, honest answers from you avoid delays. Your solicitor will also carry out and explain any required property searches.

Step 5: Exchange Contracts
When both sides are ready, contracts are signed and the buyer pays their deposit—the sale is now legally binding. Confirm a realistic completion date and make sure all agreed-upon conditions are met before exchanging.

Step 6: Completion Day
Move out and hand over the keys. Your solicitor receives the funds, settles your mortgage, pays off fees, and arranges for the official transfer of ownership via the Land Registry.

Related Read: What happens on completion day?

What To Do After Completing A Sale

Once your sale completes, settle any final bills, including legal fees, your mortgage balance, and moving costs. Your solicitor will register the new owner with the Land Registry and close out the transaction. Make sure to keep all sales documents and correspondence in a safe place, as you may need them for tax purposes or in case of any future questions.

How Long Does the Conveyancing Process Take?

The conveyancing process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks. However, this can vary depending on the complexity of the sale and other factors.

According to a study on the consumer experience of buying and selling homes, over half of buyers (59%) and sellers (57%) thought the process of buying and selling a home took longer than they expected. It is always best to set realistic expectations since a lot of unexpected events may happen during a transaction.

Here’s an outline of the key milestones and expected timeframes to give you an idea:

Instructing a conveyancer (1-2 weeks): Find and instruct a conveyancer to handle the legal aspects of the sale.
Drafting contracts and initial enquiries (2-4 weeks): Your conveyancer drafts the sale contract and responds to initial enquiries from the buyer’s solicitor.
Property searches and further enquiries (3-6 weeks): The buyer’s conveyancer conducts searches and raises further enquiries, which you need to address immediately.
Exchange of contracts (1-2 weeks): Final checks are completed, a completion date is set, and contracts are exchanged. These processes make the sale legally binding.
Completion day (1-2 weeks): Ownership is transferred, keys are handed over, and funds are received.

Housebuyers4u Data Insight: How to Sell Faster

Our own sales data shows just how much preparation and the right solicitor can speed up your sale, here’s how the timelines compare:

Seller Approach	Average Time to Complete Sale	% Faster Than Average
Prepared documents early & used HB4U-recommended solicitor	10–14 days	30% faster
Didn’t prepare documents or used own solicitor	14–20 days+	No speed advantage

Practical Tips for Sellers

To speed up the process and avoid common pitfalls, consider the following practical advice:

Be prepared: Gather all necessary documents and complete the required forms (TA6, TA10, TA7) early to avoid delays.
Prompt responses: Respond to enquiries from your conveyancer and the buyer’s solicitor quickly and accurately.
Clear communication: Maintain regular contact with your conveyancer to stay informed about the progress and address any issues immediately.
Stay organised: Keep all documents and correspondence organised and easily accessible.
Avoid common pitfalls: Check if all property information is accurate and complete to prevent delays caused by missing or incorrect details.
Set realistic expectations: Understand that the conveyancing process can be time-consuming, and unforeseen delays may occur. Setting realistic expectations can help manage stress and keep the process moving smoothly.
Choose the right conveyancer: Select a conveyancer with a good reputation, relevant experience, and clear communication skills. A reliable conveyancer can significantly enhance the efficiency of the process.
Prepare for completion day: Make arrangements to move out well in advance. Confirm the date with your conveyancer and ensure all logistical details, like removal services, are scheduled.

At Housebuyers4u, our in-house advice team regularly assists sellers who are experiencing slow sales or missing paperwork. By getting documents sorted early and responding to every request straight away, we’ve helped hundreds of homeowners shave weeks off their timeline and avoid deals falling through at the last minute.

Choose Housebuyers4u for a Quick and Reliable House Sale

If you want certainty and support at every stage of your sale, Housebuyers4u makes the process simple and secure. We’re experienced cash house buyers who can complete in as little as 7 to 14 days, working entirely on your timeline.

All solicitor fees covered: We pay your legal costs and handle all the paperwork no extra hassle or expense.
No repairs or complications: We buy any property, in any condition, and resolve any legal issues so your sale won’t get stuck.
Highly rated support: Our Customer Solutions Team has a 5-star Trustpilot rating for honest advice, clear updates, and a hassle-free experience.

Ready for a straightforward, stress-free sale? Get your free, no-obligation offer from Housebuyers4u today and let us take care of the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Conveyancing Process for Sellers

1What is the conveyancing process in the UK?

The conveyancing process in the UK involves transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer. It includes steps like conducting property searches, drafting and exchanging contracts, and finalising the transaction on completion day. A conveyancer or solicitor handles the legal work to ensure a smooth transfer.

2How long does the conveyancing process take for sellers?

The process typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the transaction.

3Can I change the completion date after exchanging contracts?

Changing the completion date after exchanging contracts is difficult and requires mutual agreement from both the buyer and seller, as well as potential adjustments to the legal and financial arrangements.

4At what stage do you get solicitors involved in a house sale?

You should instruct a solicitor or conveyancer as soon as you decide to sell your house and have accepted an offer. Getting them involved early ensures the legal work starts promptly and helps avoid unnecessary delays later in the process.

5Can conveyancing be done in 4 weeks?

Yes, conveyancing can sometimes be completed in 4 weeks, especially if both parties are motivated, there’s no long property chain, and there are no major issues with searches or the title. However, the typical timeframe in the UK is 8–12 weeks, so a 4-week turnaround is possible but not guaranteed.

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