Selling a property in the UK involves more than just finding a buyer and agreeing on a price. One of the most crucial players in the process is your solicitor or conveyancer as they will handle all the legalities for you. It is their responsibility to handle the legal process of transferring property ownership from a seller to a buyer. Here’s why choosing the right one matters!
Pre-Contract Stage
Once you accept an offer on your property, your solicitor will begin preparing the contract pack. This includes essential documents such as the property’s title deeds, the TA6 (Property Information Form), and the TA10 (Fixtures and Fittings Form). These forms provide the buyer with detailed information about the property’s condition, boundaries, services, and what is included in the sale.
The solicitor also manages all enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitor. These questions may cover anything from planning permissions to parking rights, and your solicitor is responsible for responding with accurate and factual information. This stage is vital – addressing everything thoroughly at this point can prevent costly delays and disputes further down the line.
Exchange of Contracts
This is a key legal milestone in the property sale process. Before exchange, your solicitor ensures that all terms of the sale are clearly agreed upon by both parties. This includes the final sale price, which fixtures and fittings will be included, and the agreed completion date.
Once both sides are satisfied, the buyer will typically pay a 10% deposit, and the solicitors will exchange contracts. At this moment, the sale becomes legally binding. If either party pulls out after this point without a valid legal reason, there could be significant financial penalties. That’s why it’s crucial your solicitor ensures everything is in perfect legal order before the exchange.
Completion
Completion is the final step in the sale process. On the day of completion, the buyer’s solicitor transfers the remaining balance of the purchase price to your solicitor. Once the funds have been received and confirmed, your solicitor will instruct the estate agent to release the keys to the new owners.
If you still have an outstanding mortgage on the property, your solicitor will also arrange to pay this off in full from the sale proceeds. It’s a carefully co-ordinated process that requires efficient communication and precise timing to ensure a smooth handover.
Post Completion
Even after keys are exchanged, your solicitor has a few more legal tasks to complete. They will send the signed transfer deed to the buyer’s solicitor to confirm the legal change of ownership. Finally, they ensure the transaction is officially recorded with HM Land Registry, updating the title to reflect the new owner.
While it may seem like everything is done on completion day, these final steps are essential for legally finalising the sale and ensuring a clean break from your former property.
Choosing the Right Solicitor & What to Look For
When selecting a solicitor to handle your property sale, it’s essential to choose someone who specializes in property law, ideally with experience relevant to your specific type of transaction or local area if the case is more complex. Clear communication and transparency throughout the process are also crucial – your solicitor should be accessible, proactive, and able to explain legal jargon in plain English. Be sure to ask for a full breakdown of costs upfront to avoid any hidden fees or surprise charges later in the process. Finally, speed and responsiveness can make a big difference, especially in fast-moving chains where delays can lead to lost deals or increased stress.
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