1. Before making or confirming an offer
- Plan an overall budget. Allow for your deposit, legal fees, searches, registration, any property tax, survey, moving costs and a contingency. Do not treat the deposit as your only upfront cost.
- Check your mortgage position. Discuss affordability with your lender or adviser. A mortgage agreement in principle is not a final mortgage offer; lending remains subject to checks and the property.
- Prepare deposit and proof of funds. Be ready to explain where the money came from, including savings, gifts or other sources. Tell your adviser if someone else will contribute.
- Have identification ready. Check what identity and address evidence the firm accepts before sending it securely.
- Plan a survey. Discuss a suitable survey with a surveyor. A lender’s valuation is for the lender and is not a substitute for your own assessment of the property’s condition.
In England and Wales, an offer is generally not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. Auction purchases or other binding arrangements can work differently: obtain legal advice before bidding, signing or paying a reservation sum.
2. After your offer is accepted
- Choose a regulated solicitor or licensed conveyancer. Check the firm’s regulatory details and that it can act for your lender and handle your property type.
- Disclose special requirements immediately. Tell the firm about your mortgage, gifted deposit, leasehold, shared ownership, new build, auction, Islamic finance and any proposed deadline. These may affect suitability, checks, work and timing.
- Confirm what is included. Compare the quote, expected third-party costs and circumstances that could lead to additional work.
Requesting a quote or selecting a firm does not formally instruct it. If you decide to proceed, the regulated firm confirms acceptance of your instruction and its terms. Do not assume work has started simply because you have received a quote.
3. Instruction and onboarding
- Read the client-care documents. Check the scope of work, charges, who handles your file, communication arrangements and complaints procedure before agreeing.
- Complete identity checks. Follow the firm’s secure process and provide any further evidence requested.
- Explain the source of funds. A bank balance alone may not be enough: the firm needs evidence of how funds were obtained. Giftors may also need identity checks, evidence and lender approval.
- Return forms promptly. Give accurate details, keep your contact information current and ask if any request is unclear.
4. Contract pack, title, searches and mortgage
- Contract pack. The seller’s solicitor provides the draft contract, title documents and property information. Missing information may need to be supplied before review can progress.
- Title review. Your conveyancer checks ownership and legal matters such as rights, restrictions and, for leasehold, the lease and relevant management information.
- Searches and enquiries. Searches investigate matters affecting the property; the firm raises questions with the seller’s solicitor and reviews replies. Tell your conveyancer about survey concerns so legal questions can be considered.
- Mortgage offer. Your lender issues the formal offer. The firm checks lender requirements; notify your lender and conveyancer if your circumstances or funding change.
QuickComplete purchase target: 4–8 weeks from the solicitor’s receipt of a complete contract pack. This is a target, not a guarantee, and is subject to the chain, mortgage, searches, enquiries, title complexity and all parties being ready. It does not start at your offer, quote request or instruction, and does not apply to a sale or remortgage.
5. Report, signing, exchange, completion and registration
- Read the report before signing. Ask about anything you do not understand in the title, searches, replies, mortgage or contract. Signing paperwork alone is not exchange.
- Prepare for exchange. Follow advice about deposit funds, any required insurance and an agreed completion date. Do not treat a proposed moving date as confirmed before exchange.
- Exchange. Contracts become legally binding when exchanged. Your conveyancer confirms exchange and the completion arrangements.
- Completion. The purchase funds are transferred and keys are released once completion is confirmed. Agree key collection arrangements in advance.
- After completion. Your firm deals with applicable property-tax filing and HM Land Registry registration. Registration may finish later than your move; ask how you will receive confirmation.
Documents to prepare
- Accepted photo identification and proof of address for each buyer.
- Deposit statements and evidence explaining the source of funds, as requested.
- Gifted deposit details, giftor information and supporting evidence where relevant.
- Mortgage agreement in principle, lender details and the formal offer when issued.
- Property and estate-agent details, accepted offer information and any reservation or auction documents.
- Survey findings and any deadline or special-purchase information.
The exact documents depend on your circumstances. Use the firm’s secure upload or agreed delivery method, not a public message thread.
Questions to ask before choosing a conveyancer
- Who regulates the firm, and how can I check its registration independently?
- Can you act for my lender and handle my property type and funding arrangements?
- What is included, what third-party costs are expected and what could cause extra charges?
- Who will handle my file, how will I get updates and how can I raise concerns?
- What must I do for formal instruction, and when will you confirm that work has started?
- What could affect my deadline, and what documents do you need from me now?
Property tax: England and Wales are different
England uses Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). First-time-buyer relief depends on eligibility and the rules in force. Eligibility and rates can change: check the current GOV.UK residential SDLT rates and first-time-buyer guidance and ask your conveyancer how they apply to you.
Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT). There is no separate first-time-buyer relief. Check the Welsh Revenue Authority’s Land Transaction Tax overview and official LTT calculator. Your liability depends on the purchase and your circumstances; this guide does not calculate tax.
Protect your money and documents
Verify bank details using a trusted contact method before transferring money. Call the firm on a number you have independently checked, not a number in an unexpected email. Treat changed payment details or urgent requests with suspicion, and confirm directly with the firm before acting.
Never post personal, property or financial documents in social groups. Keep identity documents, bank statements, mortgage papers and property paperwork within the firm’s agreed secure process.
Official guidance and your next step
For the wider buying process, read GOV.UK: buying a home. Use the official tax links above for current rules, and take transaction-specific advice from your appointed firm.
Ready to compare your conveyancing costs? Request a free, no-obligation purchase quote by email. Review it before deciding whether to proceed; the regulated firm separately confirms formal instruction.