First, confirm the sale details
The estate agent sends a memorandum of sale to both legal teams. Check the buyers' names, agreed price, address, tenure, included fixtures and any conditions attached to your offer. Make sure the agent has the correct conveyancer and broker details for everyone.
In England and Wales, an accepted offer is usually still subject to contract and is not legally binding until exchange. Ask for the property to be marked sold subject to contract and taken off active marketing, while recognising that the seller decides whether to agree.
Run mortgage, legal and survey work together
Submit the full mortgage application for this property, not just an agreement in principle. The lender will assess your finances and value the home. Respond promptly, but verify any request for sensitive information through a trusted channel.
At the same time, formally instruct your conveyancer and book the right survey. Waiting for one track to finish before starting another usually adds delay. If you want to reduce money at risk, agree the order with your advisers rather than leaving tasks idle without a plan.
Prepare identity and source-of-funds evidence
Your conveyancer, lender and agent may all need identity checks. Your conveyancer must also understand where the deposit and purchase money came from. Gather photo ID, address evidence, bank statements, LISA details and gifted-deposit documents before they are requested repeatedly.
Never send purchase money to account details provided only in an email. Call your conveyancer on a known number to verify the account, especially if a message says details have changed.
What your conveyancer is checking
The seller's legal team issues a draft contract pack. Your conveyancer reviews title, boundaries, rights, restrictions and forms completed by the seller. They order searches—commonly local authority, drainage and environmental—and raise enquiries where evidence is missing or unclear.
For leasehold homes, they also need the lease and management information covering service charges, buildings insurance, planned works and disputes. Leasehold transactions often involve another party, so ask early whether the management pack has been ordered.
Exchange only when the pieces agree
Before exchange, you should have a satisfactory mortgage offer, legal report, search results and survey outcome; funds for the exchange deposit and other costs; buildings insurance where required; and an agreed completion date. Exchange makes the contract binding, so unresolved promises should be written into the contract rather than left as friendly assurances.
- Ask who owns the next action, what they need and the expected date.
- Read reports and ask questions instead of treating receipt as approval.
- Keep your mortgage adviser updated if the price or property details change.
- Do not book non-refundable moving arrangements before exchange unless you accept the risk.
Sources and further reading
The legal process differs in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Ask your conveyancer about the rules for your purchase. This article was last checked on 11 August 2026.