Purchasing a property can buy an extremely exciting time, and there can be a million and one things to consider. So, in order that you can focus on where to place your favourite picture, and your garden furniture in this glorious weather, our team have devised a trusty checklist that you can use, to ensure you have all of your ducks in a row, at the point of instructing your conveyancing solicitor. 

The honest answer is, as soon as possible. The quicker that you can begin to progress matters, the quicker you can proceed to that all-important Completion Date. 

 

You should endeavour to instruct a conveyancing solicitor at the earliest opportunity, in order that any initial paperwork can be issued, and completed. Your conveyancing solicitor is required to forward such documentation, at the point of instruction, to comply with the requirements of our regulatory body, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, who set out a code of practice which is to be followed. This can be viewed, along with the importance of this documentation, here. 

 

There will be a bundle of documents to be completed, known as the ‘client care documentation’. This documentation is extremely important as it, essentially, confirms your instructions in the matter and includes the following: 

 

 

As you can see, the documentation will include a lot of information. This makes it, particularly, important to ensure that you have made the necessary preparations for the point of instruction. 

So, what exactly do you need to do? 

 

There are a number of points that you should be considering, however, do not panic. Our Preston Solicitors have comprised the below checklist, that you can use to ensure you are organised. 

 

- The property: Not wishing to state the obvious, but it is a good place to start. Whilst we can all daydream of our picture-perfect new home, at the point of instructing your conveyancing solicitor, you need to have found a property you wish to purchase. This is not to say that you need to have had your offer accepted, it is always helpful to be organised and have your solicitor on board in anticipation. Your conveyancer will, however, require the property details, in order to commence matters. 

 

- Funds: So, you have found that perfect property, and had your offer accepted, you must question, how will the transaction be financed? Be this by way of a mortgage, gifted funds, government Help to Buy funding, Help to Buy ISAs, or bridging finance, for example, your conveyancer will require clarity in this regard. At the point of instruction, as part of anti-money laundering compliance rules, you will be required to provide source of funds evidence. This will allow your conveyancer to gain clarity on how the matter is to be financed, but will also enable them to confirm that the funds being used to purchase have been legitimately acquired. 

 

- Identification: In addition to the above compliance measures, your conveyancer will also require sight of your identification documentation. One form of photographic identification is required, such as a passport or driving licence, and one form of evidence of your address, by way of a bank statement or utility bill, for example, dated no later than three months old. This allows your conveyancer to sufficiently verify your identity. You should, therefore, ensure this documentation is readily available at the point of instruction, to avoid any delay. 

 

- Surveyor: Having had your offer accepted, it would, at this point, be useful to make enquiries with surveying firms, who can arrange to carry out a survey on the property. Whilst a survey is not imperative, we would always recommend having the same carried out, in order that any adverse issues can be revealed and rectified, prior to Completion. It is advisable to have the same carried out during the early stages of the matter, to avoid any delays at a later date, particularly where issues that require resolution have been revealed. 

 

So, these are the matters that you should be considering but, importantly, how do you go about instructing a conveyancing solicitor? 

Once you have been provided with a quote, you can simply make contact to confirm that you wish to proceed. 

 

At MG Legal, we offer fixed-fee quotes, with no hidden extras. Unlike many other firms, we do not charge unnecessary add-ons, such as ID checkers, SDLT handling fees and additional amounts for dealing with Help to Buy ISAs. For your no-obligation quote, get in touch today, by emailing property@mglegal.co.uk. 

 

See for yourself, via our fees page, which gives an overview in respect of the fees and disbursements you may expect to pay for within the transaction. You can reach our fees page, here. 

 

So, once you are happy to proceed, you can simply notify our property solicitors, who can get the ball rolling for you. 

 

Initially, your conveyancing solicitor would take all necessary details from you, confirming names, addresses, purchase price, and such, in order to open up a file on your behalf, and to send out the initial client care documentation. 

 

For the next steps, see our Preston solicitors’ blog on the buying and selling process, here. 

 

Select the expertise of our property solicitors, and allow us to guide you smoothly through the process, stress free. Our team’s five-star service comes recommended by many, see for yourself, by viewing our glowing reviews here. 

 

We have solicitors in Garstang, solicitors in Longridge and solicitors in Lancaster, who are all on hand to assist you. So, if you have any conveyancing queries, and would like to instruct our team, submit an online enquiry today. Our team of expert property solicitors can then take care of the legalities of the conveyancing process, and allow you to enjoy the excitement and anticipation of purchasing your new property.