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BUYING A HOME

Fixed-fee conveyancing for buying a home

Buying a property in England or Wales? The Home Panel helps you get a clear conveyancing quote and prepare your identity checks, funding evidence and documents before your case reaches a panel firm. Your assigned SRA- or CLC-regulated firm carries out the legal work, from checking the title to completing your purchase and applying to register your ownership.

See how it works

What it covers

What buying conveyancing includes

Your conveyancer checks the legal ownership of the property and the terms of the purchase. They review the seller’s contract pack, examine the title and raise enquiries about matters that need clarification. Searches help identify issues such as planning restrictions, drainage arrangements and environmental risks.

If you are using a mortgage, the firm also checks the lender’s requirements. You receive a report explaining the legal findings before you decide whether to exchange contracts. After exchange, the firm arranges completion, deals with any required property tax return and applies to HM Land Registry to register the transfer.

The Home Panel handles the introduction and initial preparation. Legal advice comes from your assigned panel firm. Our first-time buyer checklist sets out the documents and decisions to prepare for each stage.

Done before instruction

Preparing your purchase before instruction

Getting the basic information together early helps your conveyancer identify missing documents and start with a clearer picture of your purchase. The firm will carry out any further checks it needs after instruction.

Identity checks

Complete digital identity verification through Credas and provide the information requested for each buyer.

Evidence of your funds

Gather statements and supporting documents showing where your deposit comes from. Tell us about gifts, inheritance or overseas funds.

Purchase documents

Provide the property details, mortgage information and any documents already available. A formal mortgage offer can be added when it is issued.

Search requirements

We gather the property information needed to identify the likely searches. Ordering and timing depend on the property, your instructions and the panel firm's requirements.

A suitable panel firm

We match your enquiry to a firm suited to your transaction, property type and mortgage lender, subject to the firm accepting the instruction.

What it costs

Buying conveyancing fees and other costs

Your quote is based on the purchase price, postcode, tenure and details of the transaction. It sets out the legal fee, VAT, relevant supplements and third-party costs. Any Home Panel file setup fee is shown separately, with the payment terms.

The fixed legal fee covers the work described in your quote. If information changes or the firm identifies additional work outside that scope, it must explain the proposed cost and obtain your agreement before proceeding. Use our moving cost calculator to plan the wider budget.

Legal work covered by your quote

Reviewing the contract, title and search results; raising enquiries; dealing with relevant mortgage requirements; exchanging contracts; arranging completion; and handling the required tax return and registration application. Check your quote for the scope of your particular purchase.

Costs shown separately

Search charges, HM Land Registry fees, applicable bank transfer charges, agreed supplements and any Home Panel setup fee. Property tax is separate: SDLT applies in England and LTT in Wales. The panel firm confirms the amount payable.

Step by step

How your purchase progresses

Read how it works for the wider onboarding process. Your panel firm confirms what it needs and explains the next steps for your purchase.

Tell us about the property

Submit the price, postcode, tenure and mortgage details. Tell us if the property is leasehold, a new build or shared ownership.

Review your quote

Check the legal fee, separate costs and proposed panel firm. Ask about anything you do not understand before proceeding.

Prepare your documents

Complete the identity checks and provide the requested funding evidence and paperwork. The firm may need further information.

Instruct your conveyancer

Sign the panel firm's client care documents. The firm advises you through enquiries, exchange and completion, then submits the registration application.

Where purchases stall

Searches leasehold checks and the property chain

The timetable depends on the legal findings and everyone involved in the transaction. Early preparation can help reduce avoidable document chasing, but it cannot guarantee a completion date.

Property searches

Your conveyancer selects searches appropriate to the property and lender. Results may lead to further enquiries or reports before the firm can advise you to proceed.

Leasehold purchases

The firm reviews the lease, service charges, ground rent provisions and information from the freeholder or managing agent. Missing management information can delay the purchase.

The property chain

Exchange and completion must fit the agreed arrangements across the chain. Mortgage offers, surveys and other buyers' or sellers' progress can affect the date.

Common questions

Buying conveyancing questions

How long does buying conveyancing take?

The timing depends on searches, enquiries, mortgage arrangements and the chain. Ask your conveyancer for an estimate based on your property. A leasehold purchase, complex title or delayed response can take longer.

Can I get a quote before my offer is accepted?

Yes. Provide the information you have so we can prepare a quote. Tell us if the price, property or transaction details change before you instruct the firm.

Can you help with leasehold, new build or shared ownership purchases?

Yes. Tell us the property type at quote stage so the firm can assess the additional work and any supplement. For a new build, provide the developer’s exchange deadline.

Do I need a separate property survey?

A legal review and a mortgage valuation do not replace an independent survey. Choose a survey suited to the property and raise relevant findings with your conveyancer before exchange.

Who carries out the legal work?

Your assigned panel firm, regulated by the SRA or CLC. The Home Panel is an introducer. We identify the firm before you sign its client care documents.

What happens if the purchase falls through?

The panel firm’s client care terms explain any charge for work already completed. Third-party costs already incurred may be non-refundable. Any Home Panel setup fee is governed by our terms and applicable cancellation rights.

Can you help if I am also selling?

Yes. Our buying and selling conveyancing service brings both transactions to one panel firm, subject to the firm being able to act on both.

When do I get the keys?

On completion, once the seller’s solicitor has received the required funds and authorises release of the keys. Our completion day guide explains the sequence.

Read our conveyancing FAQs for more about fees, preparation and working with a panel firm.

Get your buying conveyancing quote

Tell us about the property you want to buy. Review a quote that sets out the legal work, separate costs and the panel firm proposed for your purchase.

Buying a home

Selling a home

Buying and selling

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Transfer of equity

Auction conveyancing

First-time buyer checklist

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