--- title: "Buying a House Conveyancing Checklist | Step-by-Step Guide" description: "Complete conveyancing checklist for buying a house in the UK. Every step from offer accepted to completion, with timelines, costs, and expert tips." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Guides", "item": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/guides" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Buying a House Conveyancing Checklist", "item": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/guides/buying-house-conveyancing-checklist" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does conveyancing take when buying a house?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Typically 8–12 weeks from instruction to completion. This varies based on chain length, search turnaround times, and mortgage offer speed." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What documents do I need for conveyancing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You will need: passport or driving licence (ID), proof of address (utility bill), proof of funds or mortgage agreement in principle, and bank statements showing your deposit source." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What happens if my purchase falls through?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "With our No Move, No Fee guarantee, you pay no legal fees if the transaction falls through before exchange. You may still be liable for search fees already paid." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I speed up the conveyancing process?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Respond promptly to solicitor requests, ensure your mortgage is in place early, provide all documents on day one, and be flexible on completion dates. Our panel solicitors average faster completion times than the industry standard." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Service", "@id": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/guides/buying-house-conveyancing-checklist/#service", "serviceType": "Buying a House Conveyancing Checklist", "name": "Buying a House Conveyancing Checklist", "description": "Complete conveyancing checklist for buying a house in the UK. 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Every step from offer accepted to completion, with timelines, costs, and expert tips.", "url": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/guides/buying-house-conveyancing-checklist/", "datePublished": "2026-03-03", "dateModified": "2026-03-22", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/#organization" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/#organization", "name": "Conveyancing Solicitor", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/logo-square.png" } }, "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/og-image.jpg", "width": 1200, "height": 628 }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/guides/buying-house-conveyancing-checklist/" }, "inLanguage": "en-GB", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/#website" }, "breadcrumb": { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/blog/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Buying a House: Your Conveyancing Checklist", "item": "https://conveyancing-solicitor.co.uk/guides/buying-house-conveyancing-checklist/" } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "HowTo", "name": "Buying a House: Your Conveyancing Checklist", "description": "The conveyancing process for buying a house typically takes 8–12 weeks and involves six key stages: instruction, searches, mortgage offer, contract review, exchange, and completion. Through Conveyancing Solicitor, fixed fees start from £399 + VAT with a No Move, No Fee guarantee.", "step": [ { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 1, "name": "Stage 1: Offer Accepted — Instruct a Solicitor", "text": "Once your offer is accepted, instruct a conveyancing solicitor immediately. Delays at this stage push back everything else. Your solicitor will: send you a client care letter, request proof of identity (passport or driving licence), request proof of funds or mortgage agreement in principle, and contact the seller's solicitor to request the draft contract pack." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 2, "name": "Stage 2: Searches and Enquiries (Weeks 2–4)", "text": "Your solicitor orders property searches: Local Authority Search (planning, building control, highways), Environmental Search (contamination, flooding, ground stability), Drainage and Water Search (connection to mains), and any additional searches relevant to your area (e.g., mining, chancel repair). Simultaneously, they raise enquiries with the seller's solicitor about anything unclear in the contract pack." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 3, "name": "Stage 3: Mortgage Offer (Weeks 2–6)", "text": "Your mortgage lender instructs a surveyor to value the property and, if satisfactory, issues a formal mortgage offer. Your solicitor reviews the offer terms and checks for any special conditions. If you are a cash buyer, this stage is skipped." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 4, "name": "Stage 4: Contract Review and Report (Weeks 4–8)", "text": "Once searches return and enquiries are answered, your solicitor prepares a Report on Title. This summarises everything they have found about the property: title, boundaries, rights of way, restrictions, and search results. They will highlight anything you need to be aware of before committing." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 5, "name": "Stage 5: Exchange of Contracts (Week 8–10)", "text": "Exchange is the point of no return. You pay your deposit (usually 10%) and both parties are legally committed. A completion date is set — typically 1–2 weeks after exchange. After exchange, pulling out means losing your deposit." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "position": 6, "name": "Stage 6: Completion (Week 10–12)", "text": "On completion day, your solicitor transfers the purchase funds to the seller's solicitor. Once funds are received, the keys are released to you. Your solicitor then handles post-completion: paying stamp duty to HMRC within 14 days, and registering your ownership with the Land Registry." } ] } ] --- SRA Regulated No Move, No Fee Up to 75% Savings ★★★★★ 4.9 Google  |  ★★★★★ 4.9 Trustpilot The UK's Leading Conveyancing Solicitors, Save Up to 75% on Legal Fees Your Trusted Quotes Team for 5★ conveyancing firms nationwide. Premium legal services, fully vetted, at a fraction of the price. [Get Your Free Quote →](/instant-quote) Takes 30 seconds · No obligation · Save up to 75% [![Conveyancing Solicitor UK](/assets/logo-brand-EOSgMJAi.svg)](/) [About Us](/about-us)[Contact Us](/contact-us)[0330 053 2229](tel:03300532229)[Get Instant Quote](/instant-quote) Why Choose Us? Conveyancing Locations Transparency Reports Advice Centre # Buying a House: Your Conveyancing Checklist Buying a house is one of the largest financial commitments you will make. Understanding the conveyancing process — and what happens at each stage — helps you stay in control, avoid delays, and make informed decisions. Use this checklist to track your progress from offer accepted to keys in hand. [Get an Instant Quote](/instant-quote) [0333 015 5050](tel:03330155050) The conveyancing process for buying a house typically takes 8–12 weeks and involves six key stages: instruction, searches, mortgage offer, contract review, exchange, and completion. Through Conveyancing Solicitor, fixed fees start from £399 + VAT with a No Move, No Fee guarantee. ## Stage 1: Offer Accepted — Instruct a Solicitor Once your offer is accepted, instruct a conveyancing solicitor immediately. Delays at this stage push back everything else. Your solicitor will: send you a client care letter, request proof of identity (passport or driving licence), request proof of funds or mortgage agreement in principle, and contact the seller's solicitor to request the draft contract pack. ## Stage 2: Searches and Enquiries (Weeks 2–4) Your solicitor orders property searches: Local Authority Search (planning, building control, highways), Environmental Search (contamination, flooding, ground stability), Drainage and Water Search (connection to mains), and any additional searches relevant to your area (e.g., mining, chancel repair). Simultaneously, they raise enquiries with the seller's solicitor about anything unclear in the contract pack. ## Stage 3: Mortgage Offer (Weeks 2–6) Your mortgage lender instructs a surveyor to value the property and, if satisfactory, issues a formal mortgage offer. Your solicitor reviews the offer terms and checks for any special conditions. If you are a cash buyer, this stage is skipped. ## Stage 4: Contract Review and Report (Weeks 4–8) Once searches return and enquiries are answered, your solicitor prepares a Report on Title. This summarises everything they have found about the property: title, boundaries, rights of way, restrictions, and search results. They will highlight anything you need to be aware of before committing. ## Stage 5: Exchange of Contracts (Week 8–10) Exchange is the point of no return. You pay your deposit (usually 10%) and both parties are legally committed. A completion date is set — typically 1–2 weeks after exchange. After exchange, pulling out means losing your deposit. ## Stage 6: Completion (Week 10–12) On completion day, your solicitor transfers the purchase funds to the seller's solicitor. Once funds are received, the keys are released to you. Your solicitor then handles post-completion: paying stamp duty to HMRC within 14 days, and registering your ownership with the Land Registry. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long does conveyancing take when buying a house? ### What documents do I need for conveyancing? ### What happens if my purchase falls through? ### Can I speed up the conveyancing process? ## Related Resources [Get a buying quote ](/instant-quote)[Buying conveyancing service ](/conveyancing/buying)[Stamp duty calculator ](/stamp-duty-calculator)[Conveyancing fees ](/conveyancing-fees)[Find vetted conveyancers ](/guides/find-vetted-regulated-conveyancers)[Conveyancing in Hampshire ](/conveyancing-locations/hampshire) ## Ready to Get Started? Get a free, fixed-fee conveyancing quote in under 30 seconds. No obligation. [Get Your Free Quote](/instant-quote) [![Conveyancing Solicitor](/assets/logo-inverted-DESeFKcC.svg)](/) Easy and affordable conveyancing made simple. SRA regulated solicitors across the UK. 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