Conveyancing: Some of your questions answered

Whether you're a first-time buyer or an experienced property mogul, a conveyancing solicitor is always essential when transferring property. As one of Ireland's longest-established property solicitors, we have successfully helped clients transfer everything from homes to commercial properties. No matter how experienced you are when buying or selling a property, you'll likely still have questions about conveyancing. To make this information easier to find, we have compiled some of the most common conveyancing questions below.

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person or entity to another. It is a crucial part of the buying and selling process of real estate and involves many legal and administrative tasks.
The conveyancing process typically involves the following steps:
1. Preparing the contract of sale: The seller's solicitor or conveyancer will prepare the contract of sale, which sets out the terms and conditions of the property sale. The contract will be sent to the buyer's solicitor or conveyancer for review.
2. Property searches: The buyer's solicitor or conveyancer will conduct a series of searches to identify potential issues that may affect the property. These include local councils, land registries, and environmental searches.
3. Negotiating terms: The solicitors or conveyancers for both parties will mediate any changes to the contract of sale based on the results of the property searches.
4. Exchange of contracts: Once both parties have agreed upon the contract of sale, the solicitors or conveyancers will arrange to exchange contracts. At this point, the buyer will typically pay a deposit.
5. Completion: On the completion date, the purchase price balance is paid to the seller's solicitor or conveyancer, and the keys to the property are handed over to the buyer.
6. Post-completion: After completion, the buyer's solicitor or conveyancer will arrange for the transfer of ownership with the Land Registry and pay any stamp duty or taxes that may be due.
Conveyancing can be a complex process, and it is vital to work with an experienced solicitor or conveyancer to ensure that the process runs smoothly and that all legal requirements are met.

How long does conveyancing take in Ireland?

The duration of conveyancing in Ireland can vary depending on some factors, including the property transaction's complexity, the parties' responsiveness, and any issues that arise during the process. Generally, conveyancing in Ireland can take several weeks to several months to complete.

Here is a rough estimate of the timeframes for different stages of the conveyancing process in Ireland:

Pre-contract stage: This stage typically takes around 2-4 weeks, during which time the contract of sale is prepared, reviewed, and negotiated by the parties involved.

Property searches: Property searches can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the types of searches required and the availability of information.

Exchange of contracts: Once the contract of sale has been agreed upon, the business of contracts typically takes place within a week or two, after which time the buyer will be required to pay a deposit.

Completion: The completion date is usually set for 4-6 weeks after the exchange of contracts, although this can vary depending on the needs of the parties involved.

Post-completion: Following completion, the transfer of ownership will be registered with the Land Registry, which can take several weeks to complete.

It is important to note that these timeframes are only estimates and can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each transaction. Buyers and sellers are advised to work closely with their solicitors or conveyancers to ensure the process runs smoothly and efficiently.

In Ireland, what does a conveyancing solicitor do?

In Ireland, a conveyancing solicitor is a legal professional specialising in transferring ownership of property or land from one person to another. Their primary responsibility is to ensure the transaction is legally valid and their client's rights are protected.
Here are some of the specific tasks that a conveyancing solicitor in Ireland may undertake:
1. Reviewing title deeds: The solicitor will review the title deeds to ensure that the seller has the legal right to sell the property and that there are no outstanding claims against the property.
2. Drafting contracts: The solicitor will prepare a contract for sale that outlines the terms and conditions of the sale, including the purchase price, the deposit, and any other relevant details.
3. Conducting searches: The solicitor will conduct searches of various public records to ensure that there are no outstanding issues that could affect the property or the sale.
4. Liaising with the other party's solicitor: The solicitor will communicate with the solicitor representing the other party in the transaction to negotiate any necessary changes to the contract or resolve any issues.
5. Ensuring compliance with legal requirements: The solicitor will ensure that all legal requirements are met, including the payment of stamp duty and the registration of the property with the Land Registry.
6. Facilitating the transfer of funds: The solicitor will facilitate the transfer between the parties and ensure that all necessary payments are made, such as the deposit and balance of the purchase price.
Overall, the role of a conveyancing solicitor in Ireland is to ensure that the property transaction proceeds smoothly, legally, and without any unnecessary complications.

Whether you need a residential conveyancing solicitor in Dublin or a commercial conveyancing solicitor our expert solicitors can help you. To schedule a consultation, please get in touch with our offices today.