What is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the branch of law dealing with the preparation, execution, and registration of documents required to transfer ownership of real property. The process ensures the buyer receives a clean title and that all legal, financial, and regulatory obligations are satisfied before the transfer completes.
In England and Wales, conveyancing is divided into three phases: pre-contract (searches and enquiries), exchange (binding contract), and completion (transfer of ownership and funds). Other jurisdictions follow similar principles under different procedural frameworks.
Stages of Conveyancing
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction | Appoint conveyancer, provide ID and proof of funds | 1–2 days |
| Pre-contract | Property searches, draft contract review, enquiries | 4–8 weeks |
| Exchange | Contracts become legally binding, deposit paid | 1 day |
| Completion | Remaining funds transferred, keys handed over | 1–4 weeks after exchange |
| Post-completion | Pay stamp duty, register with Land Registry | 1–4 weeks |
Property Searches
Searches reveal issues that could affect the property's value or the buyer's use of it:
- Local authority search: Planning permissions, building control, road schemes
- Environmental search: Flood risk, contaminated land, subsidence
- Water & drainage: Confirms connection to mains water and sewerage
- Title search: Verifies ownership, boundaries, rights of way, restrictive covenants
Conveyancing Costs
In the UK, total conveyancing costs typically range from £1,000 to £3,000 including:
- Solicitor/conveyancer fees: £500–£1,500
- Search fees: £250–£450
- Land Registry fee: £90–£910 (based on property value)
- Bank transfer fee: £25–£50 per transfer
These costs are separate from stamp duty, which is calculated on the property price.
In England and Wales, the buyer is not legally committed until contracts are exchanged. Either party can withdraw at any time before exchange without penalty — a practice known as "gazumping" (seller accepts a higher offer) or "gazundering" (buyer lowers their offer). This risk does not exist in Scotland, where the offer becomes binding on acceptance.
Conveyancing in Dubai
Dubai does not use the term "conveyancing" but follows an equivalent process through the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The transfer is typically completed in a single appointment at a DLD-registered trustee office, making the process significantly faster than in the UK.
The seller obtains a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the developer, both parties attend the trustee office, the buyer pays the balance and 4% DLD fee, and the title deed is issued immediately.