Selling a house comes with enough to think about already. Based in Manchester, Sale and Chester, our solicitors for selling a house handle the legal side from instruction to completion, with fixed fees and no legal jargon, so you always know where things stand.
We act for you from instruction to completion, preparing and checking your Property Information Form (TA6) and Fittings and Contents Form (TA10), confirming your Energy Performance Certificate is in order, and carrying out the identity checks all conveyancers are legally required to complete. We protect your position throughout, flag anything that could delay your sale, and make sure you understand exactly what you’re signing before you sign it.
Leasehold sales
Selling a leasehold property involves extra steps that a freehold sale doesn’t. We check that service charges and ground rent are up to date, request the leasehold information pack from the freeholder or managing agent, and pass the required documentation to the buyer’s solicitor,keeping you informed of any fees payable along the way. For more detail on leasehold transactions generally, see our leasehold solicitors page.
Liaising with everyone involved
A house sale rarely involves just you and your buyer. We liaise directly with your estate agent, the buyer’s solicitor and your mortgage lender throughout, resolving enquiries and title issues as they arise so they don’t hold up your sale. As a full-service firm, we also have in-house tax, trust, family law and litigation expertise on hand, so if something unexpected comes up, such as a dispute or an inherited share in the property, you’re not passed on elsewhere to sort it out.
What to expect when selling your home
Initial instructions
Once you instruct us, we’ll send a tailored quote and a welcome pack to gather the key details of your sale, including your title deeds, EPC and ID documents. Once you return the signed paperwork, we open your file and let your estate agent and the buyer’s solicitor know we’re acting for you.
Drafting and issuing contracts
We prepare the draft contract pack and title documents and send these to the buyer’s solicitor. If the property is leasehold, we request the leasehold information pack at this stage. We respond to the buyer’s pre-contract enquiries and obtain an initial redemption figure from your mortgage lender, if applicable.
Exchange of contracts
Once enquiries are resolved and both sides are ready, we agree a completion date and exchange contracts. From this point, the sale is legally binding on both you and the buyer.
Completion
The buyer’s solicitor transfers the purchase funds to us. We confirm receipt, tell the estate agent the keys can be released, repay any mortgage, settle estate agent fees and legal costs, and transfer the remaining proceeds to you.
After completion
We send the signed documents to the buyer’s solicitor, confirm the sale is finalised, and return any remaining deeds or paperwork to you.
Why choose Slater Heelis as your solicitors for selling a house
Selling your home is often tied up with a bigger life change: moving on, downsizing, or dealing with a bereavement or separation. Here’s how we make that easier.
We tell you where things stand
You won’t be left wondering what’s happening with your sale. We give you regular, honest updates at every stage, and if something’s likely to cause a delay, we’ll tell you as soon as we know, not after the fact.
One point of contact, start to finish
You’ll deal with the same conveyancer throughout your sale, not a call centre or a different name every time you phone. That consistency matters when you’re managing a chain, a tight deadline, or a stressful personal situation alongside the sale itself.
Support beyond conveyancing
Selling a house sometimes brings up other legal questions: how an estate is divided, what happens to jointly owned property after a separation, or how proceeds are treated for tax purposes. Because we’re a full-service firm, you can get advice on those matters from colleagues down the corridor, not a different firm entirely.
A track record clients trust
We’re rated 4.9/5 on ReviewSolicitors from over 1,900 reviews, hold Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation, and are listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026, recognition built on consistently doing right by clients across the North West.
Fixed fees you can plan around
We quote based on your property’s value and complexity and explain costs clearly from the outset, so there’s nothing to catch you out later. Get an instant estimate using our online conveyancing fee calculator.
Ready to get your sale moving? Instructing a solicitor early means less delay once you’ve found a buyer. Speak to our residential property team today for straightforward advice on your sale.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale, and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we regularly work with clients across the UK, with meetings at other locations available by appointment.
There’s no legal requirement to use a solicitor when you sell your house, but it’s strongly advisable. A solicitor handles the contract, responds to the buyer’s enquiries, deals with your mortgage lender and protects you from liability if something is missed or misrepresented; mistakes at this stage can delay completion or lead to a claim after the sale.
When I sell my house, do I need a lawyer?
Yes, while it isn’t a legal requirement, using a lawyer to sell your house protects you from delays and disputes further down the line. Your lawyer manages the contract, deals with the buyer’s enquiries, carries out the required checks, and makes sure the sale completes correctly and on time.
What does a selling a house lawyer actually do?
A selling a house lawyer manages the legal side of your sale from instruction to completion. This includes preparing your contract pack, liaising with the buyer’s solicitor and your mortgage lender, resolving enquiries, and handling the transfer of funds once the sale completes.
How much does it cost to use a solicitor to sell a house?
We offer fixed-fee conveyancing based on the value and complexity of your property, so you know the cost upfront with no hidden extras. You can get an instant estimate using our online conveyancing fee calculator, with no obligation to instruct us.
How long does it take to sell a house?
Most sales take 12–16 weeks from accepting an offer to completion, though this varies depending on whether you’re in a chain, whether the property is leasehold, and how quickly enquiries are resolved. A straightforward, chain-free sale can complete faster.
What's the difference between a solicitor and a licensed conveyancer?
Both can legally handle the conveyancing process, but a solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer who can also advise on related legal matters, such as disputes, tax or family issues, that can arise during a sale. A licensed conveyancer specialises solely in property transactions.
What is a property chain and how does it affect my sale?
A property chain is a sequence of linked sale-and-purchase transactions, where your sale depends on your buyer’s onward purchase, and often your own purchase depends on someone further down the chain. Chains can lengthen a transaction, as everyone needs to be ready to exchange at the same time. We coordinate with all solicitors involved to keep your chain aligned and minimise delay.
Do I need an Energy Performance Certificate to sell my house?
Yes. You’re legally required to have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) before marketing your property for sale. If you don’t already have one, your estate agent can usually arrange for an assessor to visit, and we can advise on the timing so it doesn’t hold up your sale.
What happens if my buyer pulls out?
Either party can withdraw from a sale at any point before contracts are exchanged, without legal consequence. If this happens, your solicitor can remarket the property with you and pick up where things left off once a new buyer is found. Once contracts are exchanged, the sale becomes legally binding on both sides.
Do I need a solicitor if I'm selling my house to a family member?
Yes. Even where a sale is between family members, the legal transfer of ownership still needs to go through the same conveyancing process, including title checks, contracts and registration with the Land Registry. A solicitor also protects both parties if the arrangement is ever questioned later.
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