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It can be difficult to give an exact timetable as when you will exchange and complete as this will depend on many different factors such as how long it takes for your mortgage offer to be issued, whether there are any issues with the title to the property, and the length of your chain (as everyone in the chain has to exchange on the same day and complete on the same day). However, it usually takes around 6 weeks from when you instruct a solicitor through Best Value Conveyancing.

Generally, due to there being the potential for a conflict of interest to arise, the same firm of solicitors cannot act for both parties in a transaction – there are however some limited exceptions to this. Best Value Conveyancing works with a panel of solicitors and can accommodate your specific requirements.

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is required by law when a property is marketed for sale. The EPC will give information as to the efficiency of a property and recommendations as to how to make a property more efficient. As the EPC is needed when a property is marketed it is normally arranged by your estate agent. Make sure you keep the EPC when you move, because you may be able to use it again if your move is short-term.

We would recommend that you have a survey (on top of the obligatory mortgage valuation). The mortgage valuation will be done on behalf of your mortgage lender to confirm for them that the property is worth what you are paying for it, but will not necessarily find any defects or problems with the property. A report from an independent surveyor will go into greater detail. Ask us if you need more information.

A leasehold property is a property which is subject to a lease. A lease is an agreement to use a property for a period of time without owning it, for example for 99 years. Flats are usually leasehold and shared ownership properties will also be leasehold. The lease will contain various agreements between you as the lessee and the landlord as the lessor. Your solicitor will explain to you what these are. Under a lease, ground rent is paid (often a nominal amount) and a service charge will be paid to cover the cost the lessor is put to in complying with their requirements under the lease such as insuring the property and maintaining any shared areas.

Generally you will not be able to get the keys until the purchase has completed. However, if the seller agrees you may be able to have access to the property between exchange and completion if you wish to decorate or similar.