Selling a property

Selling a property – how to achieve a smooth sale

Selling a property can be stressful but our experienced team can guide you through, ensuring the smoothest possible transaction.

Whether you are putting your own home on the market or selling a property that belonged to someone who passed away, you will want the process to proceed as quickly as possible, ensuring the sale value is maximised.

A named solicitor who you will get to know will deal with your sale. We don’t believe in faceless call centres for a transaction as important as this.

Our high levels of expertise and commitment to outstanding client care is why Beswicks Legal has a 5-star Google rating.

I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Beswicks for this type of work.

Michael Flock

Find out more about our fixed fees.

Meet the team

Beswicks’ residential property team has Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation, providing peace of mind about the qualifications, experience and standards that you are guaranteed when you instruct us to handle your property purchase.

We also have our own Beswicks Legal app enabling you to track progress with your transaction, receive alerts and updates, and view your documents securely.

Emma Millington Conveyancing and Property Partner / Head of Conveyancing and Property

Nick Whitworth Partner

Sophie Ellis Conveyancing and Property Associate

Jaeda Moayedi-Azarpour Residential Property Associate

Melissa Bailey – Conveyancing and Property Paralegal

Melissa Bailey Conveyancing & Property Paralegal

Anais Graham Conveyancing and Property Paralegal

What is the legal process when selling a property?

ID Checks – The first thing your solicitor will ask for is proof of ID. This is necessary to satisfy regulatory and anti-money laundering requirements.
Property information forms – Next we will send you several forms to be completed –Property Information Form (TA6) and Fittings and Contents Form (TA10). These forms enable you to provide your buyer with detailed information about your property. If your property is leasehold, you will also be asked to complete the Leasehold Information Form (TA7).
Certificates and guarantees – When you return your property information forms, you should also supply copies of any documents mentioned in the forms, for example, warranties or building regulations certificates. Providing information at the outset, reduces the number of enquiries received from the seller’s solicitor.
Mortgage redemption – You should obtain and supply mortgage redemption figures from your current lender. This statement sets out the outstanding balance on your property which will be paid off on completion of the sale. We will check this information and advise whether there are any redemption charges or penalties. We request a statement at the outset for information and a further statement when the completion date is agreed to make sure the correct amount is repaid on the day your sale completes.
Contract – We will use all of the information provided to draw up a draft contract for the sale of your property, which will be sent to your buyer for their approval.
Surveys and searches – Your buyer will usually arrange for surveys and searches to be carried out, including safety checks on gas and electrical installations. This may lead to them raising issues, asking questions or renegotiating if significant work is required.
Exchange of contracts – Once all issues have been resolved and questions answered, the contract will be signed, a completion date set and a deposit paid by the buyer.
Completion – Completion takes place once contracts have been exchanged. This is when we receive the purchase monies from your buyer’s solicitor. There can sometimes be a gap between exchange and completion. On completion day we will send the transfer deed and title deeds to your buyer’s solicitor, send sufficient funds to your lender to repay your mortgage, pay your estate agent and legal fees from the proceeds, authorise the release of the keys and send the sale proceeds to your nominated bank account on the same day. We will then send you a completion statement.

Typically, the whole process takes 10-12 weeks.

Why use a qualified solicitor?

Selling a property isn’t always straightforward. If complications occur, it is important that your conveyancing solicitor is properly qualified and experienced to ensure your best interests are protected.

Always use a solicitor who is registered with the Solicitors Regulation Authority and works for a firm which has Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation, as all of our conveyancing solicitors have.

This provides peace of mind about the qualifications, experience and standards that are guaranteed when you instruct Beswicks to handle your property purchase.

Selling a property