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Writer's pictureEmma Selfridge Lawyer

Property Sale - What are the Steps involved ?

Steps in a sale

From start to finish - this is what your Conveyancer is doing behind the scenes to complete your sale.


You probably will not hear from your Conveyancer every day. But that does NOT mean nothing is happening. They are diligently working through the steps in the conveyancing process for you.


There are a lot of moving parts and certain stages are dependent on third parties. Such as obtaining your redemption / repayment figures from your mortgage lender(s).


Zoom in below to see in detail the steps involved in your sale ...

Sale steps

GENERAL INFORMATION & GUIDANCE

ON A SALE


Client Care Documents

The Client Care Documents which you complete confirm the instructions your Conveyancer needs to advise you adequately.  A careful, comprehensive and swift response will help them to progress your sale and will

enable them to proceed efficiently. These are a regulatory requirement.


Protocol Forms

You will be sent the standard enquiry forms which are the Property Information Form, Fixtures Fittings & Contents Form, and Leasehold Property Information Form (leaseholds only). It is best to be as accurate as possible on these forms. If you do not know the answer you should say “not known”. Take care to avoid inferring that you have checked something when in fact you are assuming.


The forms will be passed to your buyer via their Conveyancer. They are relying on your replies in deciding whether to proceed. Incorrect or misleading replies may result in the buyer being entitled to claim compensation, losses and even to refuse to complete.  If there is any change in the information you have provided during your matter you must confirm this as soon as possible.


Deeds / Mortgages

Swift return of the Client Care Documents will allow your Conveyancer to obtain your deeds, assess your current mortgage(s), and assemble the information required to prepare an accurate draft contract pack for the buyer’s solicitors. All mortgages / loans / charges secured against the property must be repaid on completion.  You must provide your Conveyancer with the references for each lender.


Insurance

It is vital that you maintain buildings insurance on your sale property.


Meters and Charges

It remains your responsibility to arrange meter readings, and to pay telephone, electricity, gas, water and council tax up to completion.


Keys

Under no circumstances should you pass any keys to your buyer until your Conveyancer confirms that they have received the monies and completion has occurred. It is standard to leave a set of keys with the estate agent the day before completion. Any remaining keys should be locked inside the property.


Exchange of Contracts

Until contracts are exchanged, no one is legally committed to proceed. Up to that point either party may withdraw without penalties. Because of this you should not make any firm commitments (for example booking removals).  Wait until your Conveyancer has confirmed that contracts have been exchanged.


Completion Date

This is set in stone once you exchange contracts and will be the date when you move out of the property. The completion date will be discussed and negotiated in advance. However, you should NOT authorise your Conveyancer to exchange contracts unless you are sure that you have all necessary arrangements in place to enable you to vacate the property and remove all furniture, vehicles and rubbish.  This must occur by midday on the completion date.  Failure to do this will be breach of contract and considerable damages may be incurred.

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