What to hand a conveyancer to keep the transfer moving

A transfer moves only as fast as the paperwork flows. Once you've appointed a conveyancer, the critical next step is knowing exactly what documents and decisions they need from you—and when. Handing over the right things at the right time keeps momentum alive and prevents delays that cost money, opportunity and peace of mind.

The real tension sits here: conveyancers need many items to do their job, but they also need you to be clear about timelines. Hand over everything too early and you'll chase for updates; drip-feed it and the transfer stalls. The conveyancer will tell you what they need, but understanding the *why* helps you gather and deliver it smartly.

Proof of ownership and property basics

Your conveyancer must start with documents that confirm who owns the property now and what it is. If you're the buyer, your estate agent or the seller's conveyancer usually provides the title deed, sectional title documents (if applicable), or a copy of the property's entry in the Deeds Registry. These are non-negotiable—nothing moves forward without them.

If you're the seller, you'll produce your title deed and any deed of change or rectification of buildings. Your conveyancer will check these are accurate and up to date. Any discrepancy—a missing middle initial, an old address—gets flagged now so it doesn't derail things later. If you can't find your deed, tell your conveyancer immediately; they know how to get certified copies from the Deeds Registry, but it takes time and cost.

Proof of funds, credit approval and bond paperwork

Your bank or bond lender has already approved you or is about to. Your conveyancer needs proof—a mortgage offer letter, a bond commitment, or a confirmation of available funds. Don't wait for this to be perfect; the moment you have a formal letter from your bank saying the money is committed, pass it on. Your conveyancer uses it to liaise with the bond lender's legal department.

If you're switching bonds or refinancing, provide the original bond documents and any correspondence from the new lender. If you're paying cash, a bank statement or proof of funds does the job. Your conveyancer will share this with the seller's conveyancer to show the transfer can complete—it's a confidence signal that speeds up negotiations on settlement dates.

IDs, signatures and disclosure details

You'll need your ID or passport (copy is fine for initial work) and your spouse's if you're married in community of property. Your conveyancer also needs to confirm your marital status and whether both spouses are bound by the transaction. This sounds obvious but catches many transfers: if you're married and your spouse isn't on the deed, they still need to sign certain documents. Clarify this early.

Your conveyancer will ask for your tax number, contact details and preferred email for all correspondence. They may need your banking details for the settlement amount. Be exact here—a digit wrong means your transfer money arrives in the wrong account, and recovery is messy. Answer disclosure questions honestly: Have you made changes to the property? Installed a pool, extended, altered the boundary? These affect the transfer.

The settlement checklist

As the transfer date draws near, your conveyancer will produce a settlement checklist. This lists what must happen on settlement day: funds to be transferred, documents to be signed (usually done electronically now, but you'll authorise them), and confirmation from both attorneys that everything is in order.

Provide settlement funds a day or two early—not on the day itself. Your conveyancer needs to confirm receipt before closing time. If you're refinancing or selling another property to fund this purchase, coordinate timings tightly with your conveyancer so the money chain doesn't break.

The biggest favour you can do is respond quickly to requests. When your conveyancer asks for a document, assume it's needed *now*, not next week. A one-day delay multiplies across a chain of signatures, bank approvals and registry slots. Flag any changes immediately—a new phone number, a change of address, a delay in your bond approval—so your conveyancer isn't caught off guard.

Finding a conveyancer who keeps you informed (not just informed-at, but genuinely communicative) makes all this simpler. On Strove, verified conveyancers have track records you can check; message a few with your timeline and see who responds clearly and fast. The transfer's speed often depends less on the law and more on how smoothly you two move together.