Whether you’re buying or selling (or both together), you’re going to need a conveyancer to handle the legal side of things. Which you choose can make a big difference to how smoothly everything runs. Here are our top tips.
Start looking for a conveyancer as soon as you decide to sell or start house hunting. Then you can move quickly once a sale’s agreed.
Recommendations are a good way to find a conveyancer. There are also comparison sites to help you find one.
You can opt for a solicitor who does conveyancing or a licensed conveyancer. Both can do house conveyancing.
Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and conveyancers by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
You can choose between a locally based service and an online conveyancing service (sometimes known as a factory conveyancing service).
Generally, a local firm will cost a little more, but you’ll have a local office and a named person you can contact when you need to. Online conveyancing services tend to be cheaper, but because a team handles all the work at a central hub, the service may be less personal.
First impressions count. If your conveyancer doesn’t handle your request for a quote speedily (or at all), it should be a big red flag. They probably won’t handle the conveyancing speedily either.
When asking for a quote, you’ll need to give the property’s address, the agreed sale price, and whether it’s freehold or leasehold. All these will affect the cost.
Be upfront from the outset if there are any complications – such as a divorce, a will, or a dispute- so your conveyancer can plan for them. (Licensed conveyancers can’t handle any legal work other than conveyancing.)
Quotes should be in writing and show the legal fees for doing the work and disbursements. Disbursements are fees for things like local searches and money transfer charges.
Check if the quote is on a ‘no sale, no fee’ basis or not. If it is, then you shouldn’t have to pay any legal fees (but may have to pay the disbursements) if the sale falls through.
If you’re buying, check that the conveyancer is on your mortgage lender’s panel. If not, it could slow things down a little.
As soon as you’ve hired a conveyancer, give their details to the estate agent. They’ll share this info with all the other parties and help keep everyone in the loop.
Answer questions and queries as quickly and accurately as you can. Your conveyancer will need your ID, information about the source of funds (from buyers), and detailed information about the property you’re selling or buying.
There’s no getting around the fact that conveyancing can be a time-consuming business. But choosing the right conveyancer and staying on top of things yourself can help it run as smoothly as possible.
