Conveyancing for selling a house

What sale conveyancing covers

When you accept an offer, your conveyancer prepares the legal paperwork that lets the buyer's conveyancer check your title and the property. They also deal with your mortgage lender, the estate agent's invoice and the money on completion. Affordable Conveyancing does not carry out this work itself: we introduce you to an SRA-regulated solicitor firm or CLC-licensed conveyancer who acts for you.

Starting early helps. Many sellers instruct a conveyancer when the property goes on the market, so the contract pack is ready to send as soon as an offer is agreed.

The sale process step by step

1. Instruction and ID checks. You sign the client care letter and provide identification for every owner.
2. Title and forms. Your conveyancer downloads the title from HM Land Registry and sends you the property information form (TA6), fittings and contents form (TA10) and, for leaseholds, the TA7.
3. Contract pack. The draft contract, title documents, completed forms and supporting paperwork are sent to the buyer's conveyancer.
4. Enquiries. The buyer's side raises questions after reviewing the pack and their searches; you help your conveyancer answer them.
5. Redemption figure. Your conveyancer obtains a figure from your lender showing what is needed to clear the mortgage.
6. Signing. You sign the contract and transfer deed, ready for exchange.
7. Exchange of contracts. A completion date is agreed and both sides are legally bound.
8. Completion. The buyer's money arrives, your mortgage is paid off, the estate agent is paid, keys are released and the balance is sent to you (or to your onward purchase).

What's included in a fixed-fee sale quote

• Legal fee for the sale work, with any supplements listed (for example leasehold, shared ownership or a second mortgage to redeem).
• Disbursements such as HM Land Registry copy documents, bank transfer fees and, for leaseholds, any management pack fee.
• VAT on the legal fee and applicable disbursements.

Sellers don't usually pay for searches or stamp duty, so sale costs are often lower than purchase costs. If you are also buying, your conveyancer will usually quote for both together. Many firms offer no-completion-no-fee terms; your quote will say whether it applies. See our breakdown of conveyancing costs for more detail.

We may receive a fee from the conveyancer we introduce you to. If so, it will be disclosed to you in writing before you instruct them, and it does not change the quote you're given.

How long does selling take?

From offer accepted to completion often takes two to four months, but there are no guarantees. It depends on the chain, the buyer's mortgage and searches, how quickly enquiries are answered and whether paperwork is missing. A prepared seller who returns forms promptly can help keep things moving.

Selling and buying at the same time

If you are part of a chain, your conveyancer will try to line up exchange and completion on your sale and purchase so that you move on the same day. The money from your sale usually funds your purchase, so both transactions have to be ready together. Delays anywhere in the chain can affect everyone, which is why prompt replies matter.

Before you list the property, it can help to check that the details held by HM Land Registry match your names and the property you're selling. Differences, such as a name change after marriage, are easy to deal with early but can cause delays if they're only spotted later.

Documents to gather

• Photo ID and proof of address for every owner.
• Your mortgage account number and lender details.
• Planning permissions, building regulations completion certificates and guarantees (for example for windows, damp proofing or electrics).
• FENSA or CERTASS certificates for replacement windows, Gas Safe and electrical certificates.
• Any solar panel agreements, boundary or neighbour correspondence, and service charge information if leasehold.

The property information form asks detailed questions about the property. Read about the latest version of the TA6 form so you know what to expect.

Common issues when selling

• Missing certificates for extensions or alterations – see selling without building regulations sign-off.
• Leased solar panels and roof leases, which buyers and lenders look at closely – read selling a home with leased solar panels.
• Japanese knotweed, which must be disclosed honestly on the forms.
• Slow buyer's side responses, which can hold up exchange.

Answer the property forms accurately: misleading answers can lead to a claim after completion. Your conveyancer will advise on anything you're unsure about. This page is general information, not legal advice.

How we can help

Tell us about your sale and we'll arrange an itemised, fixed-fee quote from a regulated conveyancer. Get a no-obligation selling quote today.