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» Process in England, Wales & NI » Process in Scotland

When you buy a house, there are certain legal processes that need to be carried out.

You will need to appoint a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to do this for you. They will arrange for the property to be transferred to you.

The legal work that is carried out during the purchase of a property is called conveyancing. This will normally involve:

» Checking legal documents or title deeds of the property
» Conducting searches/enquiries - such as ensuring the seller actually owns the property and that there are no new plans to build roads, etc that could affect the home
» Establish what your property's boundaries are and the provision of basic facilities (water etc)
» Check local authority plans
» Organising the exchange of contracts, the deposit and signing of mortgage deeds.
» Arranging the final transfer of funds and title deeds when completion takes place

Ensure that you ask the solicitor to provide you with a breakdown of the legal fees before you give the go-ahead to begin. Legal fees will vary and it is good to know what you will be charged in advance. But remember, finding a solicitor you're happy to deal with is as important as getting the cheapest deal.

Make sure you keep in touch with your solicitor throughout the process and make them explain any legal jargon so you are happy with what's happening. But be patient. As with most legal processes, conveyancing takes time.

If you don't have one already, we can help you find a solicitor in our Legal Services section.

Step 4
» Choosing your mortgage