A first-time buyer's guide to conveyancing

Buying your first home is exciting right up until someone says the word conveyancing. This guide explains the legal side of buying in plain English, so you know what is happening, who does what, and what your solicitor will need from you. Most of it is straightforward once the jargon is out of the way.

1 What conveyancing actually means

Conveyancing is the legal work that transfers a property from the seller to you. Your conveyancer checks the property is what it claims to be, handles the paperwork with the seller's side, deals with your mortgage lender, and registers you as the new owner. You can use a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer, and both are qualified for the job. Solicitors are regulated by the SRA, licensed conveyancers by the CLC. For the full picture, see what is conveyancing? and what is a conveyancer?

A handful of terms come up again and again. Here is what they mean:

• Exchange of contracts: the point where the deal becomes legally binding and neither side can walk away without serious cost.
• Completion: the day you get the keys and the money changes hands. See exchange and completion explained for how the two differ.
• Disbursements: costs your conveyancer pays out on your behalf, such as searches and Land Registry fees.
• Searches: enquiries with the council and other bodies to flag issues like planning, flooding or who maintains the road.
• The contract deposit: the sum you pay at exchange, often 5 to 10 percent of the price. It is not the same as any holding or reservation fee you may have paid the agent earlier.

2 Get your money side ready first

Before you make an offer, sort two things: a mortgage in principle and your proof of funds. A mortgage in principle (sometimes called an agreement in principle or AIP) is a lender's indication of how much they might lend, based on a soft look at your finances. It is not a guarantee, but estate agents tend to take you more seriously with one, and it gives you a realistic budget to work to.

Proof of funds means showing where your deposit comes from. Conveyancers and lenders are required by law to check this for anti-money-laundering reasons, so the questions are routine rather than personal. Have your evidence ready early and things move along faster.

• Recent bank statements showing the deposit building up or sitting in your account
• A gift letter if a parent or relative is helping, confirming the money is a gift and not a loan
• Evidence for any lump sums, such as a Lifetime ISA bonus or a savings transfer
• Photo ID and proof of address for the identity checks every client goes through

3 What your conveyancer will need from you

Your conveyancer needs information from you before they can get moving, and delays usually come from missing paperwork rather than the legal work itself. The sooner you hand things over, the sooner they can order searches and raise enquiries. Expect to provide:

• Certified ID and proof of address for everyone buying
• Proof of funds for your deposit, as above
• Your mortgage offer details and the lender's name once you have applied
• Answers about how you will hold the property if buying with someone else (as joint tenants or tenants in common)
• Your forwarding details and preferred completion timing

Once they have this, they review the contract pack from the seller's conveyancer, including the property information forms (TA6 and, for a leasehold flat, TA7), order property searches, raise enquiries about anything unclear, and check your mortgage conditions. It is worth booking a survey around the same time so any issues surface before you are committed. Our guide to home surveys covers the options.

4 The buying journey, step by step

From offer to keys, a straightforward freehold purchase usually takes around 8 to 12 weeks, though a long chain or a leasehold flat can push it well beyond that. For what affects the timeline, see how long does conveyancing take?

5 Costs and first-time buyer Stamp Duty relief

Your conveyancing bill has two parts: the conveyancer's fee for their time, and disbursements they pay on your behalf, such as searches, the bank transfer fee and Land Registry registration. A fixed-fee quote bundles these so you can see the total upfront, which is far easier than chasing hourly estimates. Our guide to conveyancing disbursements breaks down the smaller items.

There is also Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) to factor in. First-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland often pay reduced or no SDLT up to certain price limits, provided you and anyone buying with you have never owned a home anywhere before. The thresholds and rates change, so we are not quoting figures here. Check the current rules or ask your conveyancer to confirm what applies to you. Scotland and Wales run their own systems (LBTT in Scotland, LTT in Wales). Our Stamp Duty explained guide has more.