Your guide to the legal side of buying and selling a home

Buying a home involves more than finding the right property; there are also important legal steps that ensure the purchase is completed correctly and safely.

For many buyers, the legal aspects of the process can feel unfamiliar or complicated. That’s completely normal.

Solicitors and conveyancers are the professionals who guide you through these legal steps, making sure everything is properly checked and documented before you become the legal owner of your home.

At Share to Buy, we work with a panel of experienced solicitors and conveyancers who understand the home-buying process and the affordable housing schemes many first time buyers, second steppers and downsizers alike rely on. During our Share to Buy Live events, such as our Home Shows, Homebuyer Days, and Expert Days, buyers have the opportunity to speak directly with legal specialists and receive free advice. This page will help you understand what they do, how they support buyers, and the types of questions you might want to ask.

What does a solicitor or conveyancer do?

A solicitor or licensed conveyancer manages the legal process of transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer.

They ensure that everything involved in the purchase is legally correct and that your interests are protected throughout the process.

Their role typically includes:

• Reviewing contracts and legal documents.
• Carrying out property searches.
• Checking lease terms and property details.
• Liaising with your mortgage lender.
• Handling the exchange of contracts.
• Managing the final transfer of funds on completion.

Conveyancing costs vary and can range depending on the complexity of the transaction and the provider you choose.

When do you need a conveyancer?

Most buyers appoint a solicitor or conveyancer once their offer on a home has been accepted or after reserving a property.

However, many buyers choose to research firms and request quotes earlier in their journey so they are ready when the time comes.

Choosing a legal firm with experience in your type of purchase can be particularly helpful, especially if you’re buying through schemes such as Shared Ownership.

The legal process explained: A simple overview

The legal process of buying a home is often referred to as conveyancing. While timelines can vary, the typical stages include:

1. Instructing a conveyancer

Once your offer is accepted, you formally appoint your solicitor or conveyancer to begin the legal work.

2. Memorandum of Sale

The housing provider or estate agent issues a Memorandum of Sale, confirming the agreed details of the purchase.

3. Legal checks and searches

Your conveyancer reviews legal documents, checks the lease terms, and conducts property searches to identify any issues that could affect the property.

4. Mortgage and documentation

Your lender carries out a valuation while your conveyancer ensures all legal requirements are met.

5. Exchange of contracts

Once everything has been checked and approved, contracts are signed and exchanged. At this point, the purchase becomes legally binding.

6. Completion

On completion day, the remaining funds are transferred, and ownership of the property is officially transferred to you.

Your conveyancer will guide you through each of these stages and keep you informed throughout the process.

Questions you may want to ask a solicitor or conveyancer

Preparing a few questions before speaking with a legal expert can help you better understand the legal process to get the most out of your time with them.

You might consider asking:

About the legal process

• What happens after my offer on a home is accepted?
• How long does the conveyancing process usually take?
• What searches will be carried out on the property?

About costs

• What legal fees should I expect?
• Are there additional costs I should budget for?
• Will I need to pay Stamp Duty?

About property ownership

• What does leasehold ownership mean?
• What are service charges, and what do they cover?
• Are there restrictions in the lease I should be aware of?

About timelines

• What could delay the legal process?
• What happens during the exchange of contracts?
• What do I need to prepare before completion?

Legal experts are there to help explain the process and ensure you feel comfortable with each stage of your purchase.

Preparing to speak to a solicitor or conveyancer

If you’re attending a Share to Buy Live Home Show, Homebuyers Day or Expert Day, and would like to speak with a legal expert, you don’t need to have a property reserved, but you might want to have some key information top of mind beforehand. Such as:

• The stage of your property journey you are at.
• Your expected budget.
• Whether you’re buying for the first time, are a second stepper or downsizing.
• Any concerns you have about the legal process.

These conversations are designed to help you understand what to expect before you begin the legal stages of buying a home.

Resources available on Share to Buy

We provide a range of educational resources to support buyers at every stage of the process.

On our website, you can explore:

• Our solicitor and conveyancing panel: A group of legal firms with experience supporting buyers through affordable homeownership purchases.

• Legal guides and FAQs: Helpful explanations of common legal terms and processes.

• Buyer checklist: A step-by-step guide to help you understand the buying process, from finding your space to sorting the legal stuff.

Our goal is to make the legal side of buying a home clearer, more accessible, and easier to navigate.

Speak to experts at a Share to Buy event

Understanding the legal process early can help your home-buying journey run more smoothly.

Our dedicated Expert Days are specifically designed to allow buyers to speak directly with experienced solicitors and conveyancers, ask questions, and gain valuable insight into the next steps.

By preparing in advance and learning about the legal process, you’ll be in a much stronger position when the time comes to move forward with your purchase.

See dates for our next Expert Day here. You can also keep up to date with our other events, from large-scale exhibitions and regional road shows to on-demand webinars here.