FAQs

The average length of a conveyancing transaction from instruction to completion is currently about 15-20 weeks. However, the time an individual case takes to complete can vary greatly, depending on the particular circumstances, and is largely the result of the readiness and willingness of all parties to proceed, the property title (eg freehold, leasehold, registered, un-registered), responses from landlords or management companies, and other factors. 

The following are some examples of factors which can affect the timescale in a conveyancing transaction. This list is not exhaustive: 

Unforeseen work e.g. existing tenants in the property or obtaining planning and building regulation consents for works undertaken, specialist reports required. 

Delays by third parties, e.g. the other side’s solicitor 

A delay elsewhere in the chain 

Probate or divorce proceedings 

Obtaining necessary information from third parties such as management companies or landlords 

Complex titles 

Leasehold properties and flats 

A conveyancer deals with the legal process of buying, selling or remortgaging a property.

On a purchase, a conveyancer would typically:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice 
• Receive and advise on contract documents 
• Carry out searches 
• Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor 
• Report on the title of the property to you (and your lender if you are obtaining a mortgage)
• Report to you on the mortgage offer 
• Send final contract to you for signature 
• Draft the Transfer Deed 
• Obtain pre-completion searches 
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened 
• Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you 
• Complete purchase 
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax 
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry 

On a sale, a conveyancer would typically:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Prepare the contracts for sale
• Issue the contracts
• Deal with additional and standard enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitors
• Liaise between you and the buyer’s solicitors on any enquiries
• Complete the sale
• Deal with post completion matters

If the property being sold is leasehold or freehold with a management company, the following stages may also apply:

• Sending the Leasehold or Management Information Pack to the Buyer’s solicitor
• Liaising with the Landlord and / or Management company
• Dealing with additional enquiries raised by the Buyer’s solicitor in respect of the Leasehold or Management Information Pack.

On a remortgage, a conveyancer would typically:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Review the title to the Property
• Review and deal with requirements of your Lender
• Report on the terms of the mortgage offer to you
• Report on the title of the Property to the Lender
• Register the Lender’s charge at the Land Registry
• Deal with post completion matters

This is the legal process and mechanics of transferring the ownership of a property from one party to another. It can also refer to any other transaction regarding residential property including remortgaging a property.

A solicitor is qualified legal professional who can represent and advise clients on a variety of legal matters. Solicitors are registered with, and regulated by, the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

A Conveyancer is a specialist in property transactions and only deal with property related legal issues. Conveyancers may not have the same qualification or regulation as a Solicitor.

The conveyancing process typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the transaction, such as chain delays, search results, and legal inquiries. To expedite the process, ensure all documents are promptly provided and any queries are quickly addressed. For a more precise timeline, consult with your conveyancer, who can provide an estimate based on your specific circumstances.

At the start of your transaction we will send you our Client Care Letter. This will confirm the name of your conveyancer and their contact details. You can also find the contact details for your conveyancing on your PLS Portal 24/7 account.  Your conveyancer can be contacted by phone and email or through your PLS Portal messaging function. You can track the progress of your transaction anytime, anywhere through your PLS Portal account PLS Portal 24/7 – PLS Solicitors (pls-solicitors.co.uk).

We require photo and proof of address identification for every client that we act for. This is required in order to comply with our obligations under the money laundering regulations. The money laundering regulations also require us to verify the identify of all of our clients. To ensure that this is done in a safe and convenient way for you, we use a 3^rd party provider of ID checks. Further details are contained in the Client Care Letter sent to you at the start of your transaction. 

We are also subject to statutory guidance that makes it compulsory for us to ask you about where you are getting the money from to fund any transaction. We have no alternative but to ask you these questions and you must answer our questions and provide us with the information and evidence that we require.