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Mortgage & Legal

After your offer is accepted: solicitor, mortgage application, valuation, survey, searches and enquiries.

What is it?

This is the longest stage. Several professionals work in parallel to check the property, arrange your mortgage and prepare the legal contract.

Why does it matter?

Most delays happen here. Knowing who does what helps you respond quickly, avoid gaps and know who to ask when things go quiet.

What do I need to do?

1Instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer and complete their ID and source-of-funds checks.
2Tell your mortgage adviser your offer is accepted so the full application can start.
3Decide which survey you want and book it.
4Reply quickly to requests from your solicitor and lender.
5Read the survey and the solicitor's report carefully and ask questions.
6Check your mortgage offer arrives and note its expiry date.

My offer has been accepted

Key terms explained

Memorandum of sale: The agent's note confirming the agreed price and everyone's details. It is sent to both solicitors to start the legal work.
Instructing a solicitor: Formally appointing your solicitor or conveyancer. You sign their terms, prove your identity and usually pay money on account for searches.
Mortgage application: Your adviser submits the full application with documents and property details. The lender then arranges a valuation.
Valuation: Instructed by the lender to confirm the property is suitable security. It does not tell you about the condition in detail.
Survey: Your own independent inspection of the property's condition, by a surveyor you choose. Strongly worth considering, especially for older homes.
Searches: Your solicitor's checks with the local council, water company and others — for example planning, roads, drainage and environmental risks.
Source of funds: Your solicitor must check where your deposit came from. Keep statements showing how savings built up, and gift letters if family is helping.
Enquiries: Questions your solicitor raises with the seller's solicitor about the property, the title and the forms the seller completed.
Mortgage offer: The lender's formal offer after the valuation and checks. Your solicitor also receives it.
Contract: The legal agreement to buy. Nothing is binding until contracts are exchanged.

Your checklist for this stage

Tick items as you go. Your progress is saved on this device only.

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What happens next?

When searches, enquiries and the mortgage offer are complete, your solicitor prepares you to sign the contract and exchange.

This is general information, not legal advice. Your solicitor or licensed conveyancer is responsible for the legal work and legal advice on your purchase.