Once you've accepted an offer, the legal process begins. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide to everything you need to do as a seller — from instructing a solicitor through to handing over the keys.
Contact your solicitor immediately after accepting the offer. Give them the buyer's details and their solicitor's details (if known). Typical seller's solicitor fees: £800–£1,500. Ideally instruct before accepting the offer so the process can start the same day.
Your solicitor will send you forms to complete — most importantly the TA6 (Property Information Form) and TA10 (Fittings and Contents Form). These cover boundaries, disputes, planning permissions, what's included in the sale, and more. Fill them in honestly and promptly.
Your solicitor obtains official copies of the title register from HM Land Registry, prepares the draft contract, and compiles the title pack to send to the buyer's solicitor. If the property is leasehold, this also involves obtaining a management pack from the freeholder or managing agent (allow 2–6 weeks).
Once the buyer's solicitor reviews the draft contract and title pack, they'll raise enquiries — questions about the property, its history, and legal matters. Your solicitor will pass these to you. Answering quickly is one of the most important things you can do to avoid delays. Common enquiries cover boundary disputes, building work, planning consents, and service charges (leasehold).
The buyer will arrange a survey and their lender will conduct a mortgage valuation. You'll need to provide access to the property for both. If the survey raises issues, the buyer may request a price reduction or ask you to carry out remedial works before proceeding.
Once all enquiries are answered, searches returned, and the buyer's mortgage offer received, both solicitors will agree a completion date. You'll sign the contract and the buyer pays their 10% deposit into their solicitor's client account in readiness for exchange.
Solicitors exchange signed contracts simultaneously by phone. This is the legally binding point. The buyer's 10% deposit is transferred to your solicitor's account. Pulling out after exchange will result in financial penalties. A completion date is formally set.
Book your removal company (if not already done), redirect your post, notify utilities, cancel council tax and home insurance (from completion day), and pack up your belongings. If you haven't yet found your next home, arrange bridging accommodation.
On completion day, your solicitor receives the balance of the purchase funds from the buyer's solicitor and confirms completion to the estate agent. You must be fully moved out by the agreed time (often 1pm, sometimes noon). Hand all sets of keys to the estate agent for the buyer to collect.
| Action | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Instruct solicitor | Week 1 |
| Complete TA6 & TA10 forms | Weeks 1–2 |
| Draft contract & title pack sent to buyer's solicitor | Weeks 1–3 |
| Answer buyer's enquiries | Weeks 3–8 |
| Agree completion date & sign contract | Weeks 8–12 |
| Exchange of contracts | Weeks 8–12 |
| Completion / moving out | Weeks 10–16 |
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