Back to News

Conveyancing With a Mortgage: Step-by-Step

Buying your new home with a mortgage adds an extra layer to the conveyancing process. Here’s how it all unfolds: 

1. Instruct Your Conveyancer & Identity Checks (1–7 days)

 

Once your offer is accepted, choose a conveyancer or solicitor—ideally one who is on your lender’s approved panel to avoid delays.

 

They will: 

  • Verify your identity and address (e.g., passport, driving licence, utility bill) in line with anti-money laundering rules. 
  • Collect proof of mortgage funding—a Mortgage in Principle (MIP) and evidence of funds. 

 

Why it matters: Clearing these checks early ensures your conveyancer can act for both you and your lender efficiently. 

2. Mortgage Application & Valuation (2–6 weeks)

While your solicitor gets everything ready, you’ll: 

  • Officially apply for your mortgage. 
  • Your lender or a valuer they appoint will carry out a valuation—not a full structural survey—solely to confirm the property’s value  

 

Once approved, you’ll receive a formal mortgage offer, which your solicitor will review to check terms and conditions. You’ll also complete and sign a mortgage deed, giving the lender a legal charge over your new home  

3. Contract Drafting & Property Searches (2–4 weeks)

Your conveyancer obtains the draft contract from the seller’s solicitor along with: 

 

While reviewing, they also order key searches: 

  • Local authority (planning permissions, rights, conservation) 
  • Water & drainage 
  • Environmental (flood risk, contamination) 
  • Additional checks like chancel repair or mining if required  

 

Search turnaround is typically 2–4 weeks, but may vary with local council delays.

4. Enquiries & Legal Review (2–8 weeks)

Your solicitor scrutinises: 

  • Seller responses to enquiries (boundaries, fixtures, rights). 
  • Search results that uncover structural or legal issues. 
  • Valuation report and mortgage approval details  

 

They compile a legal report, advise on any risks, and propose amendments to the contract if necessary. 

 

Meanwhile, you’ll review and sign: 

  • The purchase contract 
  • Mortgage deed 

 

Your contract pack gets finalised with agreed conditions and a suggested completion date. 

5. Preparing to Exchange (1–2 weeks)

Once searches are clear and all parties agree: 

  • You send funds for your deposit (usually 5–10%). 
  • Your conveyancer arranges with the lender for the mortgage funds, which may take up to 7 working days depending on the lender  
  • Arrange buildings insurance, a lender requirement from exchange onwards  

 

When ready, your solicitor and your seller’s agent arrange exchange of contracts—becoming legally binding. 

6. Exchange of Contracts (1 day)

On exchange day: 

  • Both parties sign and swap contracts. 
  • You pay your deposit (held in client account). 
  • Completion date is fixed  

 

After this point, cancellation without financial loss is rare; typically, withdrawing post-exchange means losing your deposit. 

7. Between Exchange & Completion (1–4 weeks)

During this time: 

  • Solicitors apply for final searches to check no changes (e.g., new planning permissions). 
  • Funds are prepared: mortgage and outstanding deposit. 
  • Mortgage lender releases the funds on or right before completion day  
  • You arrange moving services, meter readings, utilities transfer, and key collection  

8. Completion Day

Completion day is when it all comes together: 

  • Your solicitor sends the full purchase price to the seller’s solicitor. 
  • Once confirmed, you collect the keys and move into your new home  
  • Use the time between exchange and completion to ensure a smooth transition. 

9. Post-Completion Administration (1–6 weeks)

After completion: 

  • Stamp Duty Land Tax validly remitted by your conveyancer (within 30 days)  
  • Your conveyancer applies to register the property in your name. Registration can take from 2 weeks up to 6 months  
  • Mortgage is redeemed and lender’s charge is noted. 
  • You receive title documents or confirmation of registration. 

Summary Timeline: 

Stage  Timeframe 
Conveyancer instruction & ID  1–7 days 
Mortgage application & valuation  2–6 weeks 
Searches & contracts review  2–4 weeks 
Enquiries & mortgage deed signing  2–8 weeks 
Deposit & mortgage fund prep  1–2 weeks 
Exchange & legal binding  1 day 
Exchange to completion  1–4 weeks 
Post-completion admin  1–6 weeks 
Total  approx. 12–16 weeks 

Why Mortgage Conveyancing Takes Time

  • Lender’s valuation and approval adds weeks. 
  • Search delays—local councils can slow things down. 
  • Chain involvement—since other buyers/sellers are also involved. 
  • Legal complexities—such as leaseholds, restrictions, or unusual covenants.

Staying organised, responding quickly to queries, and choosing a conveyancer experienced with mortgages and lender panels are key to keeping progress steady. 

Tips to Speed Things Up

  • Appoint a lender-approved, proactive conveyancer. 
  • Provide documents quickly (ID, bank statements, mortgage offer). 
  • Book surveys early—ideally right after offer acceptance. 
  • Ensure mortgage offer is ready before starting search/enquiry work. 
  • Stay responsive to solicitor communications and encourage your chain to do the same. 
Conveyancing with a mortgage has more moving parts—but it’s manageable. Allow 12–16 weeks from start to finish, and you’ll likely hit your completion date comfortably. With the right advisor, clear communication, and a plan in place, the legal side of buying a home becomes a smooth and organised process. 

 

Ready to find a trusted conveyancer or want help understanding your mortgage’s legal journey? We’re here to help—just reach out.