Residential Conveyancing Solicitors Manchester

JMW's team of residential conveyancing solicitors is here to make buying a new house a hassle-free process. We are hugely experienced in all aspects of buying and selling homes and will provide the expert guidance you need to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

We know that working with a local conveyancing solicitor can give you peace of mind that they understand your property's specific needs. JMW prioritises fast communication and will handle all of the necessary legal documents on your behalf to keep everything as simple as possible, so you can focus on preparing for moving day.

Take advantage of our expertise in residential property by getting in touch with our Manchester residential conveyancing team today. We also have offices in London and Liverpool, which means that wherever you are based, we can help to make buying or selling a property simple and straightforward. To get in touch, simply call us on 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and we will give you a call back at a convenient time for you.

How JMW Can Help

JMW's expert conveyancing solicitors in Manchester and London help clients all across the country with the vital legal work involved in a property sale or purchase. From independent legal advice during the early stages to the paperwork that is required for transferring ownership, our conveyancing solicitors guide buyers and sellers through all the stages of a property transaction.

We can help you with any aspect of a residential property transaction and offer a full range of conveyancing services:

This is not a comprehensive list of the ways in which we can help, so please get in touch if you have concerns that are not listed above.

Conveyancing is a complex legal process that requires a strong and up-to-date understanding of residential property law. JMW’s residential property services can enable you to avoid costly mistakes and make the process as straightforward as possible. Before we begin, we will hold a free initial consultation to talk about your property plans and how we can help. During the process, we will keep you updated at each stage of the conveyancing process and be on hand to answer your questions.

Meet Our Team

JMW’s conveyancing experts provide guidance and support at all stages of the conveyancing process, from before you put in an offer to after the exchange of contracts. For individuals navigating residential real estate matters, our expertise in managing property transactions, resolving concerns and anticipating legal hurdles to help you to avoid hidden costs.

What Is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the process of transferring property from one owner to another, which includes both the buying and selling of a home. Our team aims to make this as hassle-free and straightforward as possible, as it can be a stressful and complex process without the right legal support. Seeking the help of professional conveyancing solicitors can help you to avoid mistakes that could lead to costly long-term issues.

Because it is the legal aspect of any property purchase or sale, conveyancing must be carried out efficiently and correctly to avoid any complications further down the line. The professional and proactive team of Manchester property solicitors at JMW will ensure everything is taken care of to the very highest standard.

What Are the Key Stages of the Conveyancing Process?

The conveyancing process begins when an offer is accepted and ends when the buyer is registered as the new legal owner at HM Land Registry, although there are sometimes good reasons to involve a solicitor at an earlier stage of the process. For example, if you are purchasing a residential property as a business investment (such as in the case of a buy-to-let property), a solicitor can confirm that any necessary legal requirements are met to maximise your investment.

Draft contract and initial paperwork

Once an offer has been accepted, the buyer's conveyancing solicitor will take the following steps to start the process:

• Verify the buyer’s identity and source of funds to comply with anti-money laundering regulations
• Confirm instructions and provide a client care letter
• Request money on account to cover search fees

If the buyer is using a mortgage, the lender will also instruct the conveyancer to act on its behalf.

Meanwhile, the seller’s conveyancer will prepare a draft contract pack and send it to the buyer’s conveyancer. The pack contains a range of documents, most notably the draft contract of sale and an official copy of the title register and title plan. Additional forms will be included with details of the property, fittings and contents, and leasehold properties will come with additional documents showing the details of the leasehold.

The buyer’s conveyancer reviews these documents and checks the legal title.

Property searches

The buyer’s conveyancer begins searches to identify issues that may affect the property. Conducting searches is a key responsibility of the conveyancing solicitor, and it is important to identify which searches are necessary for a particular property. A range of common types of searches may be considered, including:

• A local authority search, which reveals planning permissions, building regulations approvals and local road schemes.
• A water and drainage search to confirm connections to mains water and sewerage.
• An environmental search that identifies risks such as flooding or contamination.

Additional property searches may be required depending on the location. The team at JMW will work to carry out as many searches as are necessary to give you confidence in the property you are buying, and anticipate any potential concerns to minimise the risk of unexpected surprises.

After reviewing the contract pack and search results, the buyer’s conveyancer may raise enquiries with the seller’s conveyancer to clarify any issues regarding boundaries, access rights, planning works or alterations. For leasehold properties, enquiries may be raised regarding lease terms, service charges, lease extensions or other factors that could affect property value. The seller's own conveyancing solicitor must provide answers with supporting documentation before the process can continue.

Mortgage offer

The buyer will make a mortgage application where necessary, and their solicitor will review the conditions of the lender's formal mortgage offer. They will produce a report for the buyer explaining the legal position and any risks. Once they are satisfied, the buyer will sign the mortgage deed and contract.

Exchange of contracts

The exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding. As part of the exchange, both parties agree a completion date before contracts are formally exchanged between conveyancers.

After exchange, neither party can withdraw without financial consequences. The completion date becomes legally binding and any delays can lead to additional costs or other problems for the responsible party.

When contracts are exchanged, the buyer pays the deposit, which is usually 10% of the purchase price.

Pre-completion

Between exchange and completion, the buyer’s conveyancer:

• Requests mortgage funds from the lender.
• Carries out pre-completion searches (including Land Registry priority search and bankruptcy search).
• Prepares a completion statement showing the balance due.

The buyer transfers the remaining funds in time for completion, and it becomes the solicitor's responsibility to transfer the funds upon completion.

Completion

On the agreed date, the buyer’s conveyancer sends the purchase money to the seller’s conveyancer and, once it has been received, the seller’s conveyancer confirms completion. The estate agent releases the keys to the buyer at this stage, and legal ownership passes from the seller to the buyer. For the buyer, the whole process is finished at this stage and the only final step is to move into their new property. For the conveyancing solicitor, there are additional aspects of the legal process that will be carried out after completion has taken place.

Post-completion

After completion, the buyer’s conveyancer will need to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (if applicable) within 14 days, and submit an application to HM Land Registry to register the buyer as the new owner. If there is a mortgage, we will also register the lender’s charge if there is a mortgage. Once registration is completed, the Land Registry updates the title and issues confirmation, at which point the property is fully transferred to the new owner and the conveyancing process is finished.

JMW Solicitors offers a full range of legal services and can offer expert advice regarding important processes such as the handling of contracts, dealing with the Land Registry, transferring funds to pay for the property and carrying out local council searches. Contact our team of residential conveyancing solicitors today to learn more about how we can help and the services we offer.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take?

The process of conveyancing can last approximately six to eight weeks, but this varies depending on a number of factors. The purchase of a house typically takes longer for the buyer, due to factors like arranging a mortgage and undertaking surveys of the property you intend to buy. There can also be delays introduced by the mortgage lender, estate agent or property chain, and negotiations over property price can extend the process further.

The team at JMW will always work to handle our aspects of the process thoroughly and efficiently, so that there are no unnecessary delays in the conveyancing work itself.