Conveyancing

Buying a property is an exciting step, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with the legal process. Whether you’re purchasing a home, a buy-to-let property, or land, there are important stages to complete before the purchase becomes legally binding.

What Happens First?

Once your offer has been accepted, it’s time to instruct a solicitor to begin the legal work. We’ll send you an initial pack to collect the details we need and guide you through the required ID verification process.

What We Do Next

We will:

• Review the legal documents (contract pack) from the seller’s solicitor
• Order property searches to check for legal, planning, or environmental issues
• Raise legal enquiries to clarify any concerns
• Liaise with your mortgage lender if you are using mortgage finance

Once all the legal checks are complete and we have your mortgage offer, search results, and satisfactory replies, we will prepare a full report and send you the documents to sign.

Agreeing the Completion Date

A target completion date will be agreed between all parties involved, which may include others in a property chain.

Buying a Leasehold Property?

If the property is leasehold, we will request a sales pack from the landlord or managing agent. Leasehold purchases often involve additional costs, which we’ll confirm with you as soon as possible.

Exchange and Completion

• Exchange of Contracts: Takes place once all parties are ready. You will be asked to pay a deposit (usually up to 10%), and the completion date becomes legally binding.
• Completion Day: The seller moves out and you collect the keys, typically in the early afternoon.

How Long Will It Take?

While every case is different, the average timescale is around 10–14 weeks from receiving the draft contract. We’ll keep you fully updated throughout.

At Frodshams, we’re here to help make the process as clear and straightforward as possible.

Accepting an offer is just the start of the legal process. There are several important steps to complete before the sale becomes legally binding and ownership is officially transferred.

Getting Started

Once your offer has been accepted, you’ll need to instruct a solicitor. We’ll send you a seller’s information pack to complete, asking for details such as:

• Fixtures, fittings, and contents included in the sale
• Any guarantees, certificates, or building work records
• Confirmation of your identity to meet legal requirements

Preparing the Legal Paperwork

We will:

• Prepare the contract pack and send it to the buyer’s solicitor
• Respond to enquiries raised after their legal checks and searches
• Provide documents such as title deeds or planning permissions

If the buyer is using a mortgage, their lender may arrange a valuation or survey, either in person or online.

Leasehold Properties

If your property is leasehold, we will request a sales pack from the landlord or management company. This usually involves additional costs, which we’ll confirm with you as early as possible.

Agreeing Completion and Exchanging Contracts

Once the buyer’s solicitor has completed their checks, you’ll agree a completion date with the buyer and any other parties in the chain.

Contracts are exchanged once everyone is ready, making the completion date legally binding.

On Completion Day

You will vacate the property, and the legal ownership is transferred.

We will:

• Repay your mortgage (if you have one) from the sale proceeds
• Send the title deeds to the buyer’s solicitor
• Confirm when the keys can be handed over

How Long Will It Take?

The process typically takes around 10–14 weeks, although this can vary depending on the circumstances.

At Frodshams, we manage the process for you, providing clear updates and practical support at every stage.

Re-mortgaging means replacing your current mortgage with a new one, often with a different lender. It can also apply when taking out a mortgage on a previously un-mortgaged property.

People choose to re-mortgage for various reasons, including:

• Reducing monthly payments with a better rate
• Raising capital to buy another property
• Consolidating short-term debts

The legal process is similar to buying a property, but quicker. We check the property for your new lender, ask you for information, and confirm there are no legal issues with the property. In many cases, searches are not required, making the process faster.

Once your new mortgage offer is received and all lender requirements are satisfied, we will:

• Request a redemption statement from your current lender
• Arrange the repayment of your existing mortgage
• Register your new mortgage with the Land Registry

We’ll also work with you to agree the right timing, making sure you avoid unnecessary early repayment charges where possible.

How Long Will It Take?

Re-mortgages typically complete within 2–3 weeks from receiving your mortgage offer, but timescales can vary.

At Frodshams, we manage the legal process for you, keeping everything on track and helping you complete with confidence.

A Transfer of Equity is the legal process of changing the ownership of a property without selling it.

This could include:

• Adding someone new to the title, such as a spouse or partner
• Removing someone, for example after a separation or divorce
• Transferring ownership to a family member as part of estate or tax planning

If there is a mortgage on the property, your lender’s consent will usually be required before the transfer can go ahead. Some transfers may also involve Stamp Duty Land Tax, depending on the circumstances.

We will:

• Prepare and manage the legal paperwork
• Liaise with your mortgage lender, if needed
• Register the updated ownership with the Land Registry

How Long Will It Take?

Transfers of equity typically take around 3-4 weeks to complete. However, timescales can vary depending on factors such as delays in receiving signed documents from other parties.

At Frodshams, we guide you through every step, helping you complete the transfer efficiently and correctly.

A Deed of Gift allows you to transfer ownership of property or land as a gift, usually to a family member, without receiving payment.

This can be used to:

• Pass property to children or relatives as part of lifetime planning
• Transfer ownership while continuing to live in the property
• Help support family members with their housing needs

However, making a gift can have legal and financial consequences for both you and the person receiving the property. It may affect tax, care fee assessments, or future claims on the property.

For these reasons, it is important to seek expert legal advice before going ahead with any gift of property or land.

We will:

• Prepare the Deed of Gift
• Register the change of ownership with the Land Registry
• Explain the legal and financial implications so you can make an informed decision

At Frodshams, we ensure the legal transfer is completed correctly and help you consider the wider implications before making a final decision.