What Your Conveyancing Solicitor Will Handle When Selling a Property

One of the first responsibilities your conveyancing solicitor will take care of is preparing the legal documentation required to begin the sale. This forms the foundation of the transaction and allows the buyer’s solicitor to review the property’s legal status.

Your solicitor will gather the necessary title information and prepare a contract pack that is sent to the buyer’s solicitor once an offer has been accepted.

This typically includes:

• The draft contract of sale
• Property title documents from the Land Registry
• Property Information Forms completed by the seller
• Fittings and contents forms confirming what will remain in the property

Ensuring this information is accurate and complete helps prevent unnecessary delays later in the conveyancing process.

Throughout the sale, your property solicitor will act as the main point of contact for legal communication with the buyer’s solicitor.

Once the contract pack has been reviewed, the buyer’s solicitor will often raise additional questions about the property. These enquiries may relate to planning permissions, boundaries, guarantees, building work or other legal matters.

Your solicitor will review these enquiries, discuss them with you where necessary and prepare appropriate responses. Clear and timely communication at this stage helps keep the transaction progressing and ensures both parties have the information they need before moving towards exchange of contracts.

In many cases, additional checks or documentation may be required during the conveyancing process. Your solicitor will help guide you through this stage and ensure any legal requirements are properly addressed.

For example, they may help you locate paperwork relating to past building work, warranties or guarantees that apply to the property. If the buyer’s survey raises concerns or highlights potential issues, your solicitor may also assist in responding to related enquiries.

On leasehold sales, your conveyancer will also liaise with third parties such as management companies and landlords, to ensure all relevant information is provided to the buyers solicitor. They will often act as the “middle man” between the buyers solicitor and these third parties, ensuring enquiries are answered as quickly as possible.

By handling these legal checks and discussions on your behalf, your solicitor helps ensure that any issues are resolved before the sale becomes legally binding.

Once both parties are satisfied with the legal checks and enquiries, the next major step is exchange of contracts.

Your conveyancing solicitor will ensure that all required documentation is in place and that the terms of the contract are agreed by both sides. They will also confirm the agreed completion date and make sure you fully understand the legal commitment being made.

When contracts are exchanged, the sale becomes legally binding. Your solicitor manages this process carefully to ensure everything is completed correctly and at the appropriate time.

Completion is the final stage of the conveyancing process, when ownership of the property officially transfers to the buyer.

On the day of completion, your solicitor will receive the purchase funds from the buyer’s solicitor and confirm that the transaction can be finalised. They will also handle several important financial and legal tasks, including:

• Repaying any outstanding mortgage on the property
• Paying estate agent fees where applicable
• Transferring the remaining sale proceeds to you

Once these steps are completed, the sale is finalised and the buyer can take legal ownership of the property.

While selling a house can feel complex, having an experienced conveyancing solicitor ensures the legal side of the process is handled efficiently and professionally.

From preparing the initial paperwork to managing enquiries and finalising the transaction, your solicitor works to protect your interests and keep the sale progressing as smoothly as possible.

If you are planning to sell a property and would like guidance on the conveyancing process, the team at GSB can provide clear advice and support at every stage. Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help.