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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

Amazing service from start to finish, Our questions were answered quickly and there were no holds up from our side of the house sale what so ever. Would 100% recommend and use in the future. Special thank you to Samantha & Aishah.
Robyn
We were really impressed with the service that we received from both Leasa and Julie. The process was efficient, communication was great and we liked the online portal where you could see the progress of the sale/purchase easily. Despite some delays from our buyer’s solicitor, both Leasa and Julie seemed to push this daily for us to complete on time. We would recommend Winston’s to others and will use them in the future if we move again!
Charlotte
As first-time buyers, we couldn't have asked for a better solicitor. The whole process was explained clearly from start to finish, and every question we had was answered promptly and professionally. They kept us updated throughout, making what could have been a stressful experience feel straightforward and manageable.Michelle's attention to detail, efficiency, and friendly approach gave us complete confidence every step of the way. No question felt too silly! We would highly recommend their services to anyone, especially first-time buyers. Thank you for helping us buy our first home! Thanks, Michelle / George & Annie :)
George
Used Leasa Foster for the sale and purchase of my house after being really pleased with her service from a previous purchase. She is very thorough and also very quick to reply whenever I contact her. I have recommended her to many family and friends over the years and everyone has been really pleased with the service. Highly recommend!
Lucy
We were happy with the process of our house sale and replies to communication were always prompt. We did however experience some delays with the house sale, prolonging the process, but when things were moving - they were smooth.
Kate
Making the process smooth from start to finish. Understandable steps with detail on what’s needed, done in a timely manner, above and beyond service.Sidraa Razaq is the solicitor they dealt my case.
Anonymous
Julie smith was very on the ball and can’t thank you enough
Paul
Winston Solicitors (in particular Samantha Robertson-Strong and Aishah Zahir) were absolutely brilliant to work with. They handled our case perfectly from start-to-finish. We felt we were in very good hands. Each step of the process was very clear, all of our queries were responded to extremely quickly, and every person we spoke/emailed with was friendly and helpful. We would 100% recomend this firm to everyone.
Talia
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