The Conveyancing Journey Step by Step

A straightforward freehold purchase or sale typically takes 8–12 weeks from instruction to completion. Leasehold transactions typically take 10–14 weeks. New builds can take longer if the property is not yet complete. Chains add complexity — each transaction in the chain must be ready to exchange simultaneously. We will give you a realistic timescale at the outset based on your specific transaction.

Common causes of delay include: slow responses to enquiries from the other side; delays in obtaining search results; mortgage offer delays or conditions; leasehold management pack delays; issues revealed by searches or surveys; problems with the title; and chain-related delays where one transaction is holding up others. We manage these proactively and keep you informed throughout.

A title investigation is the process by which your solicitor reviews the legal ownership of the property and checks for any issues that could affect your ability to use, mortgage or sell it in the future. This includes checking the title register at Land Registry, reviewing title deeds, and raising enquiries with the seller's solicitors about any matters that need clarification.

Enquiries (also called requisitions) are questions raised by your solicitor to the seller's solicitors about the property. They cover matters such as boundaries, disputes, planning permissions, building regulations consents, guarantees, and anything revealed by the searches. The seller's solicitors must answer these before contracts can be exchanged.

A completion statement is a financial summary prepared by your solicitor showing the total amount you need to pay on completion day. It includes the balance of the purchase price (after deducting your deposit), stamp duty, Land Registry fees, and any other disbursements. You will receive this a few days before completion so you can arrange to transfer the funds.

Freehold means you own the property and the land it stands on outright. Leasehold means you own the property for a fixed term (the lease) but not the land. Leasehold conveyancing involves additional work — reviewing the lease, obtaining a management pack from the freeholder or managing agent, checking service charges and ground rent, and advising you on the implications of the lease terms. This is why leasehold transactions typically take longer and cost more.

Before exchange of contracts, either party can withdraw without legal liability. If the seller pulls out, you may lose money spent on searches, surveys and legal fees. This is known as "gazumping" if the seller accepts a higher offer from another buyer. Once contracts are exchanged, withdrawal carries significant financial penalties — typically the loss of the deposit (10% of the purchase price).

Yes — same-day exchange and completion is possible, though it is more common in cash purchases or where there is no chain. It carries more risk because there is no period between exchange and completion to make final arrangements. We will advise you on whether same-day exchange and completion is appropriate for your transaction.

Both solicitors and licensed conveyancers can handle residential conveyancing. A solicitor has broader legal training and can advise on matters beyond the conveyancing transaction itself — such as boundary disputes, restrictive covenants, title defects, or family law implications of a property purchase. At PDA Law, your transaction is handled by a qualified solicitor throughout.