Conveyancing - A Client's Guide

Thompsons Solicitors is committed to offering a high quality conveyancing service. Our commitment to you - in respect of all aspects of the service - is set out below.

Information about your Conveyancing
Communication
Speed of Response
Dealing with the conveyancing transaction
Remortgage of Property
Purchase of Property
Sale of Property
Conveyancing Fees

Information about your Conveyancing

the name of the executive dealing with the matter
a guidance sheet outlining the procedure to be followed
confirmation of the fixed fee and an estimate of any expenses we will have to make on your behalf
details of our complaints procedure.

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Communication

You will be kept in regular touch with progress. The executive dealing with the matter will write to you at least every two weeks while the transaction is ongoing.

We will use plain English. We should not be using technical jargon without explaining it to you.

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Speed of response

telephone calls, faxes and e-mails will be answered on the same working day or, if this is not possible, on the next working day
letters will be answered within three working days of receipt
you will be informed promptly and in advance of any unusual or unanticipated expenses
bills, completion statements and copies of any landcharge certificates will be sent promptly
any money due to you will be sent on the day of completion or, if this is not possible, on the next working day.

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Dealing with the conveyancing transaction

• Deeds will be requested within three working days of receipt of all necessary information. 
• Draft sale contracts will be issued to the buyer's representatives within four working days of receipt of the deeds.
• A full report and purchase contract for signature will be sent within three working days of receiving all necessary information.
• All communications from third parties (such as solicitors, estate agents etc) will be responded to promptly.
• Any searches will be made within three working days of receipt of all necessary information and the relevant payment on account from you.
• All pre-contract enquiries will be made promptly.
• Copies of the land / charge certificate issued will be sent within three days of completion of registration of title.
• Deeds will be sent to your building society / lenders within 14 days of completion of registration.
• You will be informed of successful exchange of contracts / completion by telephone on the day or, if this is not possible, by letter sent on the day.
• Applications to the Land Registry to register mortgages will be made within 21 days from completion or within the search priority period whichever is the earlier.

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Remortgage of property

Having received your instructions we write for your deeds.
On receipt of the deeds, we will review and make appropriate searches (such as to the local authority) and raise enquiries about the property and the contract.
We will make enquiries to make sure you do own the property and have "good title" to it.
As you are obtaining a new mortgage, we will make sure that instructions have been received and a satisfactory offer is made. We check that any conditions attached to the mortgage offer can be complied with before completion.
We make any further enquiries about the ownership of the property before completion.
We make all appropriate title searches before completion.
We apply to your present mortgage company for a redemption figure in good time before completion. We will give a "report on title" to your building society to satisfy them that your title to the property is sufficient to secure the mortgage.
After completion we make sure that all appropriate registration at H.M. Land Registry is completed.
Finally, the deeds are sent to the mortgage company and a copy to you.

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Purchase of property

Having received your instructions we write to the seller's solicitors requesting a draft contract and papers.
On receipt of the papers, we will review and make appropriate searches (such as to the local authority) and raise "enquiries" about the property and the contract.
We will make enquiries as to any covenants (obligations) which affect the property. We will want to make sure the seller does own the property and has "good title" to it.
We consider the terms of the contract and whether they are fair to you. If they are, we will "exchange contracts" with the seller's solicitors.
If you are obtaining a mortgage to assist you with your purchase, we will make sure that instructions have been received and a satisfactory offer is made. We check that any conditions attached to the mortgage offer can be complied with before completion.
We make any further enquiries about the seller's ownership of the property before completion.
We make all appropriate title searches before completion.
We apply to your mortgage company for the mortgage money in good time before completion. We may need to give them a "report on title" to satisfy them that your title to the property is sufficient to secure the mortgage.
On the day of completion, which is the day you can move in, we make arrangements for the payment of the purchase price to the seller's solicitors and obtain documents proving titles.
After completion we make sure that all appropriate stamping and registration at H.M. Land Registry is completed.
Finally, the deeds are sent to the mortgage company or to you as appropriate.
Even where deeds are sent to a mortgage company, we will also supply copies for your own reference purposes at home.
Throughout the transaction, any estate agents involved will be asking us for information and we deal with them on your behalf.

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Sale of property

This is a guide to the work we will undertake on your behalf in connection with the sale of your property:

Having received your instructions, we obtain your deeds.
On receipt of the deeds we prepare a draft contract which is submitted to your buyer's solicitors to consider.
With the draft contract we send evidence that you own the property and details of any obligations, called "covenants" (such as to maintain a common area with a neighbour), to which your property is subject.
The buyer's solicitors will raise "enquiries" about the contract and your property. We will need to take your instructions to be able to answer the questions they raise - all matters affecting the property have to be disclosed. We want to avoid your being liable for any mis-representation after the sale has been completed.
We will then agree the terms of the contract.
Contracts will be exchanged once you are ready to be committed to the sale and the buyer can be committed to the purchase. Before they do so, the buyer will want to have completed their enquiries and arranged their mortgage or lined up their sale as the case may be.
After exchange of contracts, the final documentation will have to be approved and agreed on your behalf.
If appropriate, we will obtain details of any person holding a mortgage over the property so that we can make sure they can be paid off on completion.
We will reply to any further enquiries about your ownership of the property raised by the buyer's solicitors.
We will make arrangements for completion to ensure that your move goes smoothly on the day.
On the day of completion, the day by which you must have moved out, we will receive the money from the buyer's solicitors, pass over the deeds, pay off any mortgage(s) and arrange for their formal discharge. The documentation for this will be sent on to the buyer's solicitors.
Finally, we will credit to your account money owed to you. If appropriate we will ensure that sufficient money is in hand for your purchase.
We will pay any commission out of the net proceeds of sale to any estate agents.
Throughout the transaction, estate agents will ask us for information about progress and we will deal with them on your behalf.

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Conveyancing Fees

England and Wales

We offer competitive rates for house sales and purchases and discounted rates for union members. If you would like a quotation please complete our online conveyancing form, telephone 01752 521 862 or email conveyance@thompsons.law.co.uk.

Please note that this email address cannot be used to contact individual solicitors or to obtain legal advice.

Northern Ireland

We offer competitive rates for house sales and purchases and discounted rates for union members. If you would like a quotation please telephone 02890 890 400.

Scotland

We offer competitive rates for house sales and purchases and discounted rates for union members. If you would like a quotation please telephone 08000 89 13 31.

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