{"id":206,"date":"2026-06-28T15:24:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T15:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advaithhomes.co.uk\/?p=206"},"modified":"2026-06-28T15:31:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T15:31:40","slug":"conveyancing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advaithhomes.co.uk\/conveyancing\/","title":{"rendered":"Conveyancing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Conveyancing: UK Home Buyers Guide<\/h2>\n\n

Conveyancing<\/strong> is the legal process of transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer. It starts after your offer is accepted and usually continues after completion day, when your solicitor or conveyancer registers you as the new owner.<\/p>\n

This guide explains what conveyancing means, what your conveyancer checks, and the common official property forms and document numbers buyers may hear during the UK home buying process.<\/p>\n

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Simple answer:<\/strong> Conveyancing checks the contract, title, searches, mortgage conditions, legal forms, leasehold papers, tax return, and Land Registry application before you fully commit to buying the home.<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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Important Note About Legal Forms<\/h2>\n

Many document numbers in this article apply mainly to England and Wales<\/strong>, especially HM Land Registry forms and Law Society transaction forms. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal systems and may use different processes.<\/p>\n

You do not need to memorise every form number. The aim is to help buyers recognise common conveyancing documents such as TR1<\/strong>, AP1<\/strong>, TA6<\/strong>, TA10<\/strong>, LPE1<\/strong>, and SDLT5<\/strong> when they appear during the transaction.<\/p>\n

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Buyer warning:<\/strong> These forms should normally be handled by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. A wrong form, missing certificate, or unclear answer can delay exchange, completion, or Land Registry registration.<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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When Does Conveyancing Start?<\/h2>\n

Conveyancing usually starts when the seller accepts your offer. The estate agent will ask for your solicitor or conveyancer details so the legal teams can contact each other.<\/p>\n

In England and Wales, an accepted offer is usually not legally binding until exchange of contracts<\/strong>. Before exchange, your conveyancer checks whether the property is legally safe to buy.<\/p>\n

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  1. Your offer is accepted.<\/li>\n
  2. You instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer.<\/li>\n
  3. The seller\u2019s solicitor sends the draft contract pack.<\/li>\n
  4. Your conveyancer orders searches and raises enquiries.<\/li>\n
  5. Your mortgage offer, survey, and legal checks are reviewed.<\/li>\n
  6. You exchange contracts when both sides are ready.<\/li>\n
  7. You complete and receive the keys.<\/li>\n
  8. Your ownership is registered after completion.<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n \n <\/section>\n\n
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    Who Does Conveyancing?<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Professional<\/th>\n Simple Meaning<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    Solicitor<\/td>\n A qualified legal professional who can handle property law and wider legal issues.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    Licensed conveyancer<\/td>\n A specialist property lawyer trained to handle buying, selling, and remortgaging property.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    CILEX practitioner or chartered legal executive<\/td>\n A regulated legal professional who may handle conveyancing work where authorised.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n

    If you are buying with a mortgage, your conveyancer must normally be acceptable to your mortgage lender. This is often called being on the lender\u2019s panel.<\/p>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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    What Does a Conveyancer Check? Official Forms and Document Numbers<\/h2>\n

    This is the section where most buyers get confused. The table below explains the common official conveyancing forms, legal document names, and form numbers you may see.<\/p>\n\n

    Seller Contract Pack and Law Society Forms<\/h3>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Form or Document<\/th>\n Official Name<\/th>\n What Your Conveyancer Checks<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    Draft contract<\/td>\n Sale contract<\/td>\n Price, parties, property address, completion terms, deposit, and special conditions.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TA6<\/td>\n Property Information Form<\/td>\n Seller\u2019s answers about boundaries, disputes, notices, planning, building work, guarantees, utilities, and property history.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TA10<\/td>\n Fittings and Contents Form<\/td>\n What is included or excluded from the sale, such as carpets, curtains, appliances, light fittings, and garden items.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TA7<\/td>\n Leasehold Information Form<\/td>\n Used for leasehold property. Checks lease, service charge, ground rent, managing agent, repairs, and landlord information.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TA8<\/td>\n New Home Information Form<\/td>\n Used for new-build homes. Checks developer answers, warranties, planning, roads, services, and completion arrangements.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TA13<\/td>\n Completion Information and Undertakings<\/td>\n Used before completion. Checks mortgage discharge, key release, vacant possession, money transfer, and completion promises.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    LPE1<\/td>\n Leasehold Property Enquiries Form<\/td>\n Completed by landlord or managing agent. Checks ground rent, service charge, insurance, building management, fire safety, pets, parking, and major works.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    LPE2<\/td>\n Buyers Leasehold Information Summary<\/td>\n Summarises leasehold responsibilities and likely costs for the buyer.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n

    HM Land Registry Forms and Ownership Documents<\/h3>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Form or Document<\/th>\n Official Name<\/th>\n Simple Buyer Meaning<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    OC1<\/td>\n Official Copies of Register or Plan<\/td>\n Used to obtain official copies of the title register and title plan.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    OC2<\/td>\n Official Copies of Documents<\/td>\n Used to obtain filed documents such as old transfers, leases, or deeds referred to on the title.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TR1<\/td>\n Registered Title: Whole Transfer<\/td>\n The main transfer deed used when the whole registered property is transferred to the buyer.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TP1<\/td>\n Registered Title: Part Transfer<\/td>\n Used when only part of a registered title is being transferred, for example part of land or a new plot.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    TR2<\/td>\n Transfer Under Power of Sale: Whole Title<\/td>\n May be used in certain lender or power of sale situations, not a normal everyday purchase.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    AP1<\/td>\n Change the Register<\/td>\n Used after completion to apply to HM Land Registry to update the property register into the buyer\u2019s name.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    FR1<\/td>\n First Registration Application<\/td>\n Used where the property is unregistered and needs to be registered for the first time.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    CH1<\/td>\n Legal Charges: Registration<\/td>\n Used to register a mortgage or legal charge against the property.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    DS1<\/td>\n Mortgage Cancellation of Entries for Lenders<\/td>\n Used where an existing registered mortgage is discharged or removed.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    DS2 or DS2E<\/td>\n Cancel Entries Relating to a Charge<\/td>\n Used to remove mortgage entries, including electronic processes in some cases.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    DS3<\/td>\n Mortgage Release of Part of the Land<\/td>\n Used where a lender releases only part of land from a mortgage.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    OS1<\/td>\n Official Search With Priority: Whole Title<\/td>\n Used shortly before completion to protect the buyer\u2019s priority for registration on the whole title.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    OS2<\/td>\n Official Search With Priority: Part of Title<\/td>\n Used before completion where only part of a title is being transferred.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    ID1<\/td>\n Verify Identity: Citizen<\/td>\n Used to prove identity for private individuals in certain Land Registry applications, especially if not represented.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    ID2<\/td>\n Verify Identity: Corporate Body<\/td>\n Used to prove identity for companies or organisations in certain Land Registry applications.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    RX1<\/td>\n Enter a Restriction<\/td>\n Used to add a restriction to the register, for example where consent or certificate is needed before a future sale.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    RX3<\/td>\n Cancel a Restriction<\/td>\n Used to cancel a restriction from the register.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    RX4<\/td>\n Withdraw a Restriction<\/td>\n Used when someone entitled to a restriction withdraws it.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    RXC<\/td>\n Restriction Consent or Certificate<\/td>\n Used where a restriction requires consent or a certificate, often relevant in leasehold or managed estate matters.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n

    Search, Local Authority, and Tax Documents<\/h3>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
    Form or Document<\/th>\n Official Name<\/th>\n What It Helps Check<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
    LLC1<\/td>\n Local Land Charges Search<\/td>\n Checks local land charges such as conservation area, listed building, tree preservation order, or financial charges.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    CON29<\/td>\n Enquiries of Local Authority<\/td>\n Checks planning, roads, building control, rights of way, decisions, and proposals that may affect the property.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    CON29O<\/td>\n Optional Enquiries of Local Authority<\/td>\n Optional extra local authority questions depending on the property type or location.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    CON29DW<\/td>\n Residential Drainage and Water Enquiries<\/td>\n Checks water and sewerage services, drains, water supply, and related matters.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    CON29M<\/td>\n Coal Mining Search<\/td>\n Used in coal mining or former coal mining areas to check mining risk.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    SDLT1<\/td>\n Stamp Duty Land Tax Return<\/td>\n Used for paper SDLT returns if not filed online. Usually handled by the solicitor or conveyancer.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    SDLT2<\/td>\n Additional Buyers or Sellers<\/td>\n Used where there are more than two buyers or sellers.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    SDLT3<\/td>\n Additional Property Form<\/td>\n Used where a freehold transaction involves more than one property.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    SDLT4<\/td>\n Complicated Lease or Certain Complex Transaction Form<\/td>\n Used for complicated leases, commercial transactions, companies, uncertain consideration, or certain special situations.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    SDLT5<\/td>\n SDLT Certificate<\/td>\n Proves the SDLT return has been sent. Needed for Land Registry registration where SDLT applies.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
    UTRN<\/td>\n Unique Transaction Reference Number<\/td>\n Used when paying Stamp Duty Land Tax and tracking the SDLT return.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n
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    Good to know:<\/strong> Not every property needs every form. A simple freehold house purchase may involve fewer documents than a leasehold flat, new-build home, shared ownership purchase, auction property, or unregistered title.<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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    Why These Documents Matter to Buyers<\/h2>\n

    Each document answers a different question. Together, they help your conveyancer understand whether the property can be bought safely.<\/p>\n

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    • TA6<\/strong> helps check what the seller says about the property.<\/li>\n
    • TA10<\/strong> helps avoid arguments about what is included in the sale.<\/li>\n
    • TR1<\/strong> or TP1<\/strong> transfers the legal ownership.<\/li>\n
    • AP1<\/strong> updates HM Land Registry after completion.<\/li>\n
    • OS1<\/strong> or OS2<\/strong> helps protect your priority before registration.<\/li>\n
    • LPE1<\/strong> helps reveal leasehold costs and building management issues.<\/li>\n
    • SDLT5<\/strong> helps prove the tax return has been submitted where required.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n

      If a form is missing, incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent, your conveyancer may need to raise more enquiries before exchange.<\/p>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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      Conveyancing Searches Explained<\/h2>\n

      Searches are official or professional checks against records. They are different from a property survey. A survey checks the physical condition of the building, while searches check legal and local information.<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
      Search<\/th>\n Common Form or Name<\/th>\n Buyer Meaning<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
      Local authority search<\/td>\n LLC1 and CON29<\/td>\n Checks planning, building control, roads, restrictions, conservation, and local matters.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Water and drainage search<\/td>\n CON29DW<\/td>\n Checks mains water, public sewer, drainage, and water company information.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Environmental search<\/td>\n Usually search provider report<\/td>\n May check flood risk, contaminated land, landfill, radon, and environmental concerns.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Coal mining search<\/td>\n CON29M<\/td>\n Useful in coal mining areas where ground stability may be a concern.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Chancel repair search<\/td>\n Search provider report<\/td>\n Checks if there may be historic church repair liability risk.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n \n <\/section>\n\n
      \n

      Freehold Conveyancing Checks<\/h2>\n

      Freehold usually means you own the property and the land it sits on. It can still have legal restrictions, rights, and responsibilities.<\/p>\n

      \n Title register and title plan<\/strong><\/summary>\n

      Your conveyancer checks ownership, title number, boundaries, rights, covenants, mortgages, restrictions, and whether the seller has the right to sell.<\/p>\n <\/details>\n

      \n Rights of way and access<\/strong><\/summary>\n

      Some properties have shared driveways, private roads, footpaths, access rights, or maintenance duties. These can affect daily use and future resale.<\/p>\n <\/details>\n

      \n Restrictive covenants<\/strong><\/summary>\n

      These are rules that may limit what you can do, such as building extensions, running a business, parking certain vehicles, or changing the front of the property.<\/p>\n <\/details>\n

      \n Planning and building regulations<\/strong><\/summary>\n

      Your conveyancer checks paperwork for extensions, loft conversions, windows, structural work, and other alterations where relevant.<\/p>\n <\/details>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

      \n

      Leasehold Conveyancing Checks<\/h2>\n

      Leasehold conveyancing usually takes longer because your conveyancer must check the lease, freeholder, managing agent, service charge, ground rent, insurance, and building management documents.<\/p>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
      Leasehold Check<\/th>\n Why It Matters<\/th>\n <\/tr>\n <\/thead>\n
      Lease length<\/td>\n A short lease can affect mortgage approval, lease extension cost, and resale value.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Ground rent<\/td>\n High or increasing ground rent can create lender and affordability concerns.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Service charge<\/td>\n This affects your monthly or yearly cost of owning the flat.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Major works<\/td>\n Large building repairs can lead to expensive future bills.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Building insurance<\/td>\n Your conveyancer checks how the building is insured and who arranges it.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Restrictions<\/td>\n The lease may restrict pets, letting, alterations, flooring, parking, or business use.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n
      Certificate of compliance<\/td>\n Some leasehold titles need a certificate before the buyer can be registered.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n
      \n

      Buyer warning:<\/strong> Leasehold delays often happen because the managing agent or freeholder takes time to provide the LPE1, insurance schedule, accounts, fire safety information, or compliance documents.<\/p>\n <\/blockquote>\n \n <\/section>\n\n

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      Mortgage and Lender Checks<\/h2>\n

      If you are buying with a mortgage, your conveyancer also acts for the lender in many cases. This means they must check whether the property meets the lender\u2019s legal requirements.<\/p>\n