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Moving Home

Buying or selling a home is one of the most important financial steps many people take. At Howard & Co., we support you through each stage of the conveyancing process - from offer accepted to collecting the keys - making sure your legal position is protected and the transaction proceeds with as little stress as possible.

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How long does the conveyancing process take?

Timescales vary depending on factors such as whether the property is freehold or leasehold, the presence of a chain, and how responsive all parties are. As a rough guide, a relatively straightforward transaction (freehold, no unusual issues, and a small or no chain) may conclude in 8–12 weeks from offer accepted to completion. Figures correct as of September 2025. Source: housebuyers4u.co.uk).

Leasehold properties often take longer because of additional checks and replies needed, and complex chains or title issues can extend the process further — often into 14–18 weeks or more. Figures correct as of September 2025. Source: Myhomemoveconveyancing.co.uk).

Stages of the conveyancing process

Below is a breakdown of the main stages of the conveyancing process, including the steps from your instructions and a few common additional actions. Each case is unique, and some steps may overlap or require adjustment in particular circumstances.

  1. Take your instructions & initial advice
    Once your offer is accepted (or you decide to sell), we will meet or communicate with you to gather all necessary information: your identity, authority, property details, finance, and objectives. We’ll explain our role, the likely timeline, our fees and outlays, and what to expect at each stage.
  2. Check finances & contact lender’s solicitors
    We confirm that your mortgage (if needed) is in place or arrange any refinancing required. If a lender is involved, we liaise with their solicitors to obtain redemption statements (if selling) or instructions and documents (if buying). We also verify your ability to complete (e.g. deposit funds, stamp duty, legal costs).
  3. Receive and advise on contract documents
    The seller’s solicitor will send a draft contract, title documents, and property information forms (e.g. TA6, TA10). We review these and advise you on any risks or unusual clauses, highlighting anything that may need further enquiry.
  4. Carry out searches
    We order the standard property searches (local authority, drainage & water, environmental, flood risk, etc.). These reveal planning or infrastructure issues, legal constraints or hazards that may affect the property. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
  5. Obtain further planning or specialist documentation if required
    If the property is in a special area (heritage, conservation, flood zone, former mining land, etc.), we may order additional searches or surveys (e.g. ground stability, mining, contaminated land, tree preservation orders, planning consents). We also check whether any rights, covenants or easements affect the property.
  6. Make enquiries of seller’s solicitor
    Based on the documents, we raise specific enquiries about title, boundaries, rights of way, disputes, services, utilities, guarantees, warranties, and anything unclear or missing. The seller’s solicitor must respond or clarify. We may negotiate amendments or seek assurances depending on the answers.
  7. Give you advice on all documents and information received
    We prepare a report to you on title, searches, contract, mortgage conditions, and any issues that may affect your decision. We will ensure you understand risks, implications, and options before you commit further.
  8. Go through mortgage offer conditions
    We check the formal mortgage offer to ensure all conditions are acceptable (e.g. valuations, deadlines, required insurances). If any requirements are unreasonable or unclear, we query them with the lender.
  9. Send final contract to you for signature
    Once all enquiries are cleared (or acceptable), we send the final, clean contract document for your signature. You return signed copies to us (often electronically or by post).
  10. Draft the Transfer document & advise on joint ownership
    We prepare the Transfer (TR1) document to transfer legal ownership into your name (or joint names). We will advise whether the property should be held as joint tenants or tenants in common, and the implications of each choice.
  11. Obtain pre-completion searches & final checks
    Before completion, we carry out pre-completion searches (e.g. bankruptcy, Land Registry) and final checks to ensure nothing has changed since the earlier searches. We confirm the funds are ready and all legal obligations will be satisfied on the day.
  12. Agree a completion date
    We liaise with the seller’s solicitor to set a mutually acceptable completion date — the effective date from which you legally own the property and can move in (or where the seller must vacate).
  13. Exchange contracts
    At exchange, contracts become legally binding. The buyer pays the deposit, and both parties commit to completing on the agreed date. We notify you once exchange has taken place.
  14. Arrange for required monies
    We arrange for the mortgage funds, your deposit, stamp duty (or Land Transaction Tax, etc.), and legal fees to all be collected and prepared in time for completion day.
  15. Complete the purchase / sale
    On the completion day, we transfer funds to the seller’s solicitor, collect any redemption payments (if selling), discharge mortgages, and in return you receive the keys. We confirm all obligations are met and notify you when the transaction is complete.
  16. Post-completion steps
    After completion, we submit the Transfer and new title information to the Land Registry and pay any stamp duty. We follow up to ensure your name appears on the register, and provide you with finalized title documentation.

When to seek legal advice

You should instruct a solicitor or conveyancer as early as possible — ideally even before or immediately after your offer is accepted. Early involvement means we can start searches and documentation, spot potential problems in advance, and keep the chain moving. Delaying legal advice increases the risk of costly hold-ups or missed deadlines.

Practical advice for a smoother conveyancing process

  1. Respond quickly. Delays often come from unanswered queries or slow replies. Keep in touch and provide requested documents promptly.
  2. Provide accurate financial information. Make sure you know your deposit amount, mortgage offer terms and timing, and have proof of funds ready.
  3. Review documents carefully. Read the title documents, searches, contract and reports. Ask us questions about anything you don’t understand.
  4. Plan for extra costs. Budget for legal fees, search fees, Stamp Duty (or equivalent tax), Land Registry registration, and possible survey or specialist report costs.
  5. Be realistic about timing. Even simple cases often take a few months. Don’t assume things will move faster just because you want to.
  6. Stay proactive. Chase parties in the chain, remind estate agents and solicitors regularly, and flag issues early so they can be resolved before escalating.

How Howard & Co. can help

Since 1976, we’ve guided clients in Barnsley, Penistone and across the region through the complexities of conveyancing. Our property team will handle all formalities, explain every step in plain language, and work to complete your transaction with minimal delays and maximum clarity.

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