Independent Consultant Conveyancer

The deposit required will depend on your mortgage lender and the type of mortgage you've been offered. Your lender may require a deposit of 5%, 10% or more of the purchase price. At exchange of contracts, a deposit is usually paid to the seller's solicitor, although if you're also selling a property, the deposit from your sale can often be used instead. I'll explain exactly how much you'll need to transfer and when it needs to be paid

Property searches are enquiries made with various organisations to uncover information that isn't visible when you view a property. They can reveal things such as planning decisions, building regulation history, whether the property is connected to mains water and drainage, environmental risks, flood risk, and other issues that could affect your ownership or future enjoyment of the property.

If you're buying with a mortgage, your lender will almost always require searches to be carried out. Even if you're a cash buyer, I strongly recommend having searches undertaken so you can make an informed decision before committing to your purchase. I'll advise you on which searches are appropriate based on the property's location and your lender's requirements.

If you're buying a freehold property, you'll usually need buildings insurance from the date you exchange contracts, as this is when the risk of the property typically passes to you. For leasehold properties, the building is often insured by the freeholder or management company, although you should always check the lease. I'll let you know when insurance should be put in place as part of your transaction.

You'll receive the keys on the day of completion once the seller's solicitor confirms they've received the purchase funds. This usually happens around lunchtime, although the exact timing depends on how quickly the banking system processes the transfer. The estate agent will then be authorised to release the keys, and you'll be able to move into your new home.

No, they do different jobs. Searches check legal and local issues, such as planning, drainage, and environmental risks. A survey looks at the physical condition of the property. If you want a fuller picture before you buy, it’s sensible to have both.

Conveyancers are legally required to carry out anti-money laundering checks on every transaction. This includes verifying where your money has come from, known as Source of Funds, and in some cases how your wealth has been built over time, known as Source of Wealth. Although it can feel intrusive, these checks are required by law and help protect against fraud and financial crime.

I’ll usually need proof of ID, proof of address and details of your mortgage or funds. If your purchase is more complex, such as a gifted deposit or a leasehold property, I may ask for a few extra documents too. I’ll always let you know exactly what I need and when.