How to buy a house in the UK: A step-by-step guide

Hundreds of thousands of properties are sold in the UK each year. However, rising mortgage rates and property prices mean the market can be highly competitive. Understanding each stage of the buying process is essential to avoid delays, unexpected costs, and legal complications.

What age do I have to be to buy a house?

In the UK, you must be at least 18 years old to legally own property or enter into a mortgage agreement. Individuals under 18 cannot hold legal title to land or be named on a mortgage.

What documents do I need before viewing a property?

Before viewing properties, it is advisable to obtain a Mortgage in Principle (also known as an Agreement in Principle). This provides an indication of how much a lender may be willing to lend based on your financial circumstances.

Lenders typically offer borrowing of around 4 to 4.5 times annual income, subject to affordability checks.

For example, on a £30,000 salary, you may be able to borrow around £135,000. With a 10% deposit, this could allow you to view properties in the region of £145,000–£150,000.

Some estate agents may prioritise buyers who already hold a Mortgage in Principle, particularly in competitive markets.

Where can I get a Mortgage in Principle from?

A Mortgage in Principle can be obtained from most banks, building societies, or mortgage brokers. Applicants typically complete an online form or speak with an adviser.

Once issued, the certificate should be retained and provided to estate agents when arranging viewings or making offers.

What do I do if I like a property and want to buy it?

Once you have identified a property you wish to purchase, you can make an offer through the estate agent. The offer will then be presented to the seller for consideration.

The seller may:
Accept your offer
Reject your offer
Make a counteroffer

If a counteroffer is made, you will need to decide whether to proceed at the revised price or continue negotiations. Any decision should take into account your borrowing capacity, deposit requirements, and overall affordability based on your Mortgage in Principle.

What happens after my offer is accepted?

Once your offer has been accepted, the transaction moves into the legal stage. At this point, you will need to instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to act on your behalf.

Your conveyancer will begin the legal work required to progress the purchase, including:

Carrying out property searches with the local authority
Reviewing the draft contract
Liaising with your mortgage lender
Raising legal enquiries

At this stage, the sale is not yet legally binding. Either party may still withdraw without penalty until contracts are exchanged.

How much deposit do I need to buy a house?

Most buyers typically provide a deposit of 5% to 10% of the property price, although this can vary depending on lender requirements and individual circumstances.

For example, if you are purchasing a property for £140,000 and can borrow £126,000, you would need to provide a £14,000 deposit.

If you are using a Lifetime ISA (LISA), you must instruct your solicitor to request release of these funds in time for completion.

How long does it take to buy a house?

On average, it takes approximately 3 to 6 months from offer acceptance to completion.

Timescales can vary depending on factors such as:

Property chain length
Whether the property is vacant
Mortgage approval timescales
Speed of legal enquiries

First-time buyers or chain-free transactions may progress more quickly.

Do I have to pay stamp duty?

In England and Northern Ireland, Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) may apply depending on the purchase price and whether the buyer qualifies for first-time buyer relief. First-time buyers may benefit from reduced or no stamp duty on properties below certain thresholds, subject to current government rules.

Buyers who are not first-time purchasers will usually pay Stamp Duty on properties above the relevant threshold. The amount payable increases with property value and whether the purchase is an additional property.

In Wales, Stamp Duty is replaced by Land Transaction Tax (LTT), which operates under a separate set of thresholds and rates.

Do I need a solicitor to buy a house?

Yes. In England and Wales, you are required to instruct a solicitor or licensed conveyancer to handle the legal aspects of purchasing a property.

They are responsible for ensuring that the transfer of ownership is completed correctly and in accordance with the law. This includes carrying out property searches, reviewing contracts, communicating with the seller’s solicitor, and liaising with your mortgage lender.

Without a solicitor or conveyancer, the legal transfer of the property cannot be completed.

What is conveyancing?

When your offer has been accepted and your mortgage is in place, you will need to instruct a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal transfer of the property.

A conveyancer is a qualified legal professional responsible for managing the legal process of buying a property. This includes carrying out searches, reviewing contracts, liaising with the seller’s solicitor and your lender, and ensuring the property is legally transferred and registered correctly with HM Land Registry.

Can I include my conveyancing fees in my mortgage?

In most cases, conveyancing fees cannot be added to a mortgage and are paid separately, either upfront or on completion.

Some lenders may allow certain associated costs, such as arrangement fees, to be added to the mortgage balance. However, this depends on the lender’s policy and individual mortgage terms.

What’s the difference between exchange and completion?

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding. At this stage, both parties commit to the sale and a completion date is agreed.

Completion is the final stage of the process, when ownership of the property officially transfers to the buyer. The remaining funds are transferred, and the buyer receives the keys to the property.

There is usually a gap between exchange and completion, although in some cases they may occur on the same day.

If you are considering buying a house and would like guidance on the legal process, you can contact our conveyancing team to discuss your next steps.