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Moving house

Our conveyancing service explained, for sale and purchase.

A guide to moving house
What to expect during the conveyancing process when you’re selling your home

  • Confirmation of instructions evidence of identity and money on account received from you.
  • Property Information Form and Fittings and Contents Form received from you completed. 
  • On receipt of above, Contract and supporting documents sent to the buyers solicitors. 
  • Contract sent to you for signature.
  • Redemption figure requested if mortgage on property.
  • Reply to any enquiries buyers solicitors may raise. If any require your personal knowledge then we obtain your replies to the same.
  • When buyer’s solicitors are satisfied, and following a discussion with you, your conveyancer will agree a completion date and exchange contracts.
  • On exchange the completion date is legally binding.
  • Final redemption statement from your lender requested.
  • Your signature to Transfer obtained.
  • Estate Agents account obtained and approved.
  • Your conveyancer prepares the completion statement.
  • On completion you conveyancer receives sale monies. When monies are received your conveyancer then pay the existing mortgage (if any) and pay your Estate Agents account.
  • Pay the balance to you either by cheque or telegraphic transfer (if not buying alternative property).

What to expect during the conveyancing process during your house purchase

  • Confirmation of instructions evidence of identity and monies on account for search fees received.
  • Contract documents received from Seller’s solicitors.
  • Searches submitted. Results reported to you.
  • Plan and initial report forwarded to you for comment.
  • We raise any additional enquiries with the Seller’s solicitors.
  • When mortgage offer received we report to you to ensure you are aware of the general terms.
  • When we are satisfied with responses from the Seller’s solicitors we report to you.
  • When you confirm you are satisfied we will forward to you all documents for signature and request the balance due from you.;
  • We will ask you for a suggested date for completion.
  • Contracts are exchanged when:

1) All parties agree a date for completion

2) We are in receipt of all signed documents

3) We are in receipt of the balance due from you.

  • The completion date is fixed. This is legally binding on both parties.
  • When a completion date is agreed we submit the Certificate of Title to your Mortgagees requesting mortgage funds.
  • On the day of completion we forward the balance to the Sellers solicitors.
  • Once funds are received by the Seller’s solicitors they will release the keys via the Estate Agents
  • You obtain your keys from the Estate Agents.
  • We attend to payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (if applicable).
  • We then register your interest in the property with the Land Registry. We forward a copy of the completed Register to you for you to keep safely.

Suggested check list for change of address notification when you are moving house

Financial
⬜ Accountant
⬜ Bank
⬜ Building Society
⬜ Credit agreements
⬜ Employer
⬜ Independent Financial Advisor
⬜ HM Revenue and Customers
⬜ Life and Home Insurance
⬜ Pension
⬜ Personal Insurance
⬜ Premium Bonds
⬜ Savings and Investments
⬜ Shares
⬜ Social Security / National Insurance
Services
⬜ Gas provider
⬜ Electricity provider
⬜ Water company
⬜ Local authority / council tax
⬜ Internet service provider
⬜ Mobile telephone
⬜ Telephone provider
⬜ Television licence
⬜ Television provider
⬜ Passport office
⬜ Solicitors*
Medical
⬜ GP
⬜ Blood donor service
⬜ Dentist
⬜ Optician
⬜ Private health care
⬜ Vet
Social and education
⬜ Clubs and societies
⬜ Family and friends
⬜ Magazine subscription
⬜ Professional bodies
⬜ Schools
⬜ Sports and leisure club
Transport
⬜ Breakdown organisations
⬜ Car/motorcycle tax/log book
⬜ Driving licence
Purchasing
⬜ Guarantees/service agreements
⬜ Internet accounts
⬜ Store and loyalty cards
⬜ Appliance rental
⬜ Credit card companies
⬜ Catalogue and mail order

*When you are moving house or buying your first home it is vital to make or update your Will. Call our Wills team on 0113 320 5000 for your FREE no obligation consultation.

Client feedback

Leasa and her team were incredibly helpful and super efficient. I would highly recommend and will be using Winstons again in the future.
Danielle
We had a brilliant experience with Winston Solicitors and in particular Leasa. We had a very smooth and quick process!
Amy
Just been through the process of selling our house and buying another. I have to say I can't fault the staff at Winstons. We were kept updated on every development and when we requested anything it was done immediately. The solicitors on either side of us were slack and unprofessional. Very glad we had Winstons in particular Leasa who took care of our purchase and Juile who handled our sale. Thanks very much ladies, without your assistance I think we would still be waiting to move.
Sara
Leasa was absolutely fantastic from start to finish with my house purchase. She was friendly, reassuring and incredibly helpful throughout, keeping me updated and making sure I understood what was happening at each stage. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble.Having someone so reliable and approachable dealing with everything made a huge difference and took so much of the stress out of the process. I'm genuinely grateful for all her help and wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a solicitor for their house purchase. Thank you so much, Leasa!
Claire
Highly recommended service
Mr T
Michelle Ayres was very thorough and responsive throughout our sale and purchase, helping us navigate a number of difficulties successfully. We would have no hesitation to recommend working with her.
Anonymous
I sold my house with the legal help of Winston Solicitors. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing legal guidance. They worked efficiently and effectively. They updated me and communicated in a very timely fashion and cleared up all and any concerns I had along the way. Many thanks in particular to Samantha Robertson Strong and Laura Wheatley.
Anita
Excellent service from start to finish. The team was professional, friendly and approachable, keeping me informed throughout the process. Everything was handled efficiently, and I felt looked after. I would highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy solicitors. Samantha and Laura were fantastic. Thank you
Lynn
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