Choose an adviser for the actual transaction
Ask who handles the work, how to reach them, what the quote includes and which extra charges could apply. Explain leasehold, probate, tenants, defects or an urgent deadline before accepting a quote.
Use an independent professional who represents you. A contribution to legal fees from a buyer does not mean the buyer’s adviser should also decide what is best for you.
Prepare a complete contract pack
Provide identification through the adviser’s secure process, mortgage details, title information and requested property forms. Collect planning and building-control documents, guarantees and any leasehold information early.
Answer questions accurately and disclose uncertainty. Ask which missing documents need replacement and whether a third-party managing agent or lender may affect the timetable.
Agree milestones without guarantees
Ask for updates on contract preparation, buyer enquiries, funding and the proposed binding date. Some tasks depend on third parties and cannot be expedited by your solicitor alone.
In England and Wales, exchange and completion are distinct stages in an ordinary private sale. Scotland and Northern Ireland differ, and auction terms need specific advice. Do not book irreversible arrangements on a provisional date.
Protect the payment stage
Confirm the completion statement and mortgage redemption amount. Verify bank instructions using a telephone number already known to you, not contact details in an unexpected email.
If a suspicious instruction arrives, pause and call your adviser. If money may have gone to a fraudster, contact your bank immediately.
Sources & review
Last reviewed:
General England-and-Wales guidance, not legal advice or a guaranteed timetable. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different binding stages and procedures. Verify payment instructions independently. Illustrations do not depict actual advisers.
- GOV.UK — Transferring ownership (conveyancing)
England and Wales: contract preparation, legally binding exchange and completion. Local procedures and auction terms can differ.
- GOV.UK — How to sell a home
England and Wales: selling costs, paperwork, leasehold information, valuations, chains and legally binding exchange (sections 2–7, 16–17 and 21–22).
- The Law Society — Payment diversion fraud
England and Wales: criminals can impersonate solicitors and substitute bank details. Verify payment instructions by calling a trusted, independently checked number; contact your bank immediately if you suspect a fraudulent transfer.
Review dates record our source check, not the date a rule took effect. Rules can change; check the linked guidance before acting. Legal processes differ across the UK.