Buying and selling a house – reduce the stress

There are plenty of everyday tasks to take care of, such as redirecting post, contacting energy companies, hiring a removal firm and packing all your belongings.

There are also important legal tasks to complete, including:

• checking that there are proper planning permissions in place for any development works that have been carried out on the property;
• making sure that the seller has the legal right to sell the house;
• checking if there are any financial obligations that will have to be paid, such as service charges and ground rent;
• preparing and agreeing contracts with the other party and then exchanging contracts.

Many people choose a lawyer to do the legal work – known as conveyancing – on their behalf.

Here are ten helpful tips for using a conveyancing lawyer and here are some videos to help you understand the legal process of buying and selling a house.

Information can also be found on Legal Choices.

Eddie Goldsmith, chairman of the Conveyancing Association, discusses the Department for Communities and Local Government’s recent Call for Evidence on improving the home buying and selling process in the UK.