What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal work of transferring ownership of property, carried out by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. In a portfolio sale it covers every title, tenancy and lender involved, so it is usually the longest stage of the sale.
Read more in our guide: Portfolio sale timescales
Key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who does it | A solicitor or licensed conveyancer, regulated by the SRA or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers |
| Typical time for a single property | Often 8 to 12 weeks from offer to completion, longer for leasehold |
| Seller's forms | Property Information Form (TA6), Fittings and Contents (TA10), Leasehold Information (TA7) |
| Buyer's searches | Local authority, drainage and water, environmental, plus others by location |
| For tenanted property | Tenancy agreements, deposit details, certificates and licences are added to the pack |
| Registration | The buyer's solicitor registers the new owner at HM Land Registry |
The Conveyancing Process for a Seller
- Instruction. You instruct a solicitor and complete their ID and anti-money laundering checks.
- Title. The solicitor obtains official copies of the title from HM Land Registry, or deeds for unregistered land.
- Contract pack. You complete the property forms, and the solicitor drafts the contract and sends the pack to the buyer's solicitor.
- Searches and enquiries. The buyer's solicitor orders searches and raises questions on anything unclear.
- Mortgage redemption. Your solicitor obtains redemption figures from each lender.
- Exchange and completion. Contracts are exchanged and the sale completes on the agreed date.
Conveyancing a Portfolio
In a portfolio sale every title, tenancy and lender is examined, so a problem with one property can hold up the whole deal. A portfolio can still complete faster than selling each house separately, because there is one buyer, one set of solicitors and often no chain.
Things that commonly slow portfolio sales:
- unregistered titles or titles in old names, such as a deceased co-owner;
- missing building regulations sign-off or planning consent for conversions and extensions;
- leasehold flats needing management packs from the freeholder;
- missing deposit records, certificates or licences;
- several lenders, each with their own redemption process;
- properties held in a company or trust, needing board minutes or trustee signatures.
How to Speed It Up
- Instruct a solicitor before you accept an offer, so the contract pack is ready.
- Gather tenancy agreements, a rent schedule, deposit certificates, gas, electrical and EPC certificates, and any licences into one folder.
- Find building regulations certificates and planning documents for any works.
- Ask your lenders for redemption statements early.
- Use a solicitor with investment property experience; tenanted and multi-title sales are different from a typical house sale.
Since 2022, Trading Standards guidance has also required more material information to be given when a property is marketed, such as tenure, council tax band and known issues, so having it ready helps marketing too.
Official Sources and Further Reading
General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conveyancing is the legal work of transferring ownership of property, carried out by a solicitor or licensed conveyancer. In a portfolio sale it covers every title, tenancy and lender involved, so it is usually the longest stage of the sale.
Often 8 to 12 weeks for a single freehold property, and longer for leasehold or where problems arise. A portfolio can take longer, but one buyer and no chain can make it quicker than separate sales.
Yes, you should use a solicitor or licensed conveyancer, ideally one experienced in tenanted and investment property.
Your solicitor will need title details, property forms, tenancy agreements, a rent schedule, deposit records, safety certificates, EPCs, any licences and building regulations or planning documents for works.
Thinking About Selling Your Portfolio?
Ask for a no-obligation portfolio appraisal, or call us to talk through your options in confidence.