How To Find The Right Solicitor Or Conveyancer

The number of property conveyancing firms and solicitors who handle property conveyancing is ever-increasing. It’s not hard to see why, either. With more than a million property transactions in the UK every year, the need for these professionals continues to grow. If you’re preparing to buy or sell your home, though, this may put you at a disadvantage. With so many professionals available, how do you find a solicitor or conveyancer to meet your needs? Are property solicitors and conveyancers even the same thing? Is a local solicitor better than working with an online firm? This quick guide can help.

Understanding The Difference Between Solicitors And Conveyancers

At first glance, you may not see a huge difference in the conveyancer vs solicitor debate. Both solicitors and conveyancers operate under full regulation and insurance. When it comes to dealing with your home sale or home purchase, they follow very similar procedures. However, it is important to note the key differences between them, as this is what affects the quotes you may get from them and ultimately what you may end up paying.

Licensed conveyancers specialise in property law, particularly in residential properties, and deal with purchases and sales like yours daily. On the other hand, solicitors are qualified lawyers with comprehensive training in various areas of law. They can provide a wider range of legal services like writing wills, handling divorce cases, and even representing clients in court.

Do I Need A Solicitor To Buy A House Or A Conveyancer?

You can choose either type of professional for your home purchase or the sale of your home. There are times, though, that you may want to choose a solicitor for a house purchase over a conveyancer. For the most part, you’ll want to choose a solicitor when buying a house if you’re dealing with a transaction that is fairly complex. For example, imagine you’re purchasing a house from sellers who are currently in the process of divorcing. Choosing solicitors when buying a house in this situation means working with a professional who has a deeper knowledge of the law as a whole, and that could come in handy as you begin to work out the details of this kind of sale.

A housing solicitor can handle far more nuanced cases, especially those with pressing deadlines. You need a solicitor to buy a house if you truly need a property specialist. For example, freehold and leasehold purchases tend to be more complex, and in those situations, it’s always best to choose a solicitor for buying a house.

Not every situation demands a solicitor is the right choice for conveyancing, though. Selling or buying a house, solicitor services just aren’t always required. You may want to go with conveyancers over solicitors in a couple of different situations. If your transaction is fairly straightforward, but your budget is a bit tight, you may want to find a conveyancer instead because choosing to engage a solicitor for conveyancing services, rather than a conveyancer, may result in higher costs due to the additional legal services they can offer. Additionally, house-buying solicitors often insist on in-person appointments, and you may not have time for that.

A Conveyancer Or A Mortgage Solicitor – Which Is Right For Me?

If you’re still not quite sure you can choose, consider each of these factors as you try to make the right decision.

• Know What the Professional Can Do: Solicitors are qualified lawyers who can provide a broader range of legal services beyond conveyancing, such as handling divorce, wills, or disputes. Licensed conveyancers, on the other hand, specialise specifically in property law and focus on conveyancing transactions. Consider whether you require additional legal services beyond the house sale, or if you prefer a specialist conveyancing service.
• Understand Your Specific Transaction: Evaluate the complexity of your property transaction. If your transaction involves intricate legal issues or potential complications, such as boundary disputes or complex contracts, engaging a solicitor with their broader legal knowledge and expertise might be beneficial. For straightforward, uncomplicated sales, a licensed conveyancer’s specialised knowledge in property law may suffice.
• Think About the Cost Differences: Solicitors often offer a wider range of services, but this can result in higher fees. Compare the cost of conveyancing quotes from both solicitors and licensed conveyancers. Keep in mind that the cheapest option might not always be the best, as quality and expertise are important factors to consider.

Taking a closer look at each of these points should at least help you decide whether to go with a solicitor or a conveyancer for help with your sale or purchase.

Locating The Best Solicitors Near Me Or The Best Conveyancers Near Me

Once you’ve decided which way to go, the next step is to find the right professional to help. The best way to do that is to do a conveyancer or solicitor search near your current location. Start by reaching out to friends, family, or trusted professionals who have recently gone through a house sale. Inquire about their experiences with solicitors or licensed conveyancers, and ask for recommendations based on their satisfaction with the service provided.

If that doesn’t result in any leads, you’ll want to conduct thorough research on solicitors and licensed conveyancers in your area. Visit their websites, read client reviews, and look for any accreditations or professional memberships. Pay attention to their reputation, track record, and customer feedback to gauge their reliability and competence. Selling or buying a house with a solicitor you like is essential.

When you have a shortlist of conveyancer and solicitor property firms you’re considering, arrange consultations with both solicitors and licensed conveyancers to discuss your specific requirements. Use this opportunity to ask questions about their experience, the conveyancing process, find the solicitor and conveyancer expected timelines, and the level of support they offer. Assess their responsiveness, clarity, and willingness to address your concerns.

There are several key questions you’ll want to ask in this process. Naturally, first, ask how much they’re going to charge. You’ll also want to ask who will be working on your case. While you’re likely talking to a senior solicitor or conveyancer, you may find it’s typically someone else who is handling your case. Knowing who to talk to is essential. You’ll also want to know how often you’ll be hearing from your team. Ask about how often they’ll be communicating with you and how you’ll find out more about what’s happening with your case. Online conveyancers often employ automated systems, allowing for faster turnaround times and quicker responses to queries, and that can be quite helpful when it comes to communication. Some provide clients with access to online portals or dashboards where they can track the progress of their transactions, view important documents, and receive updates in real-time. This transparency and accessibility empower clients with greater control and visibility throughout the process.

Be sure you look at what professional organisations your solicitor or conveyancer is a member of before you decide. They should be a member of either the Law Society or the Council of Licensed Conveyancers. Conveyancers and Solicitors for buying a house or selling one tend to be more credible if they’re a member of a professional organisation.

You may also want to ask whether they’ve dealt with cases precisely like yours before, too. Remember that not every house sale works the same way, and if your chosen solicitor or conveyancer hasn’t dealt with a case like yours in the past, you may not be able to get the help you need. A solicitor conveyancing a certain kind of property deal for the first time may run into trouble, and that’s the last thing you want to deal with.

Be sure to find out whether your conveyancer is approved by your lender. Most lenders will only work with those mortgage solicitors and conveyancers on their approved panel, so make certain your selection meets those requirements or you may have to pay extra. You’ll have to find a solicitors’ list of accepted mortgage brokers to figure out whether they’re on your mortgage lender’s panel.

You’ll also want to take a careful look at what’s involved with their services as you try to find a conveyancing solicitor. You may get a cheaper quote from an individual, but they may have hidden costs you didn’t initially consider. Make certain you know what the final total will be and whether they’re charging you based on just one fee or an hourly rate basis. We’ll talk a bit more about those fees in the next section. You’ll also want to know whether work on a no-sale, no-fee basis. This is a good arrangement to have because if the sale of the property doesn’t move forward, you don’t have to pay legal fees.

Ultimately, trust your instincts as you look for solicitors for buying a house or selling one. Consider which professional made you feel most confident in their ability to handle your house sale efficiently. A good working relationship and open communication are crucial during this important process.

What Are Property Solicitors And Conveyancers’ Fees?

Conveyancing fees encompass the expenses associated with ensuring the proper handling of legal aspects during a house sale or purchase. These fees can be divided into two components. The first is the charges imposed by the conveyancer or solicitor for their professional services in managing the transaction. These are considered to be legal fees. The second type of fees you’ll pay are disbursements, those that pertain to the charges levied by third-party entities for specific services, such as conducting searches or obtaining necessary documents.

The legal fees from a solicitor are property-based. Leasehold fees tend to be higher than freehold fees. It can vary, too based on where your conveyancer is based and the cost of the property itself.

The disbursement fees vary, too, but in most cases, you can expect these disbursements.

• Anti-Money Laundering: This just verifies that you are who you say you are. What is a solicitor usually charging here? The cost is fairly minimal, usually between £6-£20.
• Title Deeds: This is a cost paid by sellers, because the Land Registry will have the Title Deeds to the property, and you must have a copy of it. The cost is usually around £6, but that may be higher if you have a leasehold.
• Searches: This is a cost only paid by buyers. Every property purchase has to undergo local authority searches like drainage searches, environmental searches, and planning searches. What is a solicitor’s or conveyancer’s common fee here? Depending on the searches required for your property, you can expect to pay between £250 and £450.
• Property Fraud Prevention: This helps to ensure the conveyancer to whom you’re transmitting money is an actual conveyancer. This check runs about £10.
• Ownership Transfer: Having your name put on the Deeds will cost between £200 and £300 with the Land Registry.
• Telegraphic Transfer Fees: You need to ensure the funds you’re transmitting to the buyer reach the account on a particular day and to do so, you’ll incur fees from both the conveyancer and the bank. Expect to pay between £20 and £30.
• Stamp Duty Land Tax: Your conveyancer will make sure this fee gets paid, but it works on a sliding scale. Use an online calculator to look at exactly what this fee will cost you.

On average, you can expect to pay a total of £500-£1150 plus disbursements if you are buying a house. The disbursements could be around £700.

Conveyancing fees differ between buyers and sellers, though, so if you’re selling, expect to see a cost on average of between £610-£950. The more valuable the sale, though, the higher those numbers go.

Similarly, conveyancing costs differ between freehold and leasehold properties. If you are purchasing or selling a leasehold property, you’ll typically pay about £300 more in costs.

How To Save Money On Conveyancing Fees

If you’re concerned about the cost of conveyancing, there are a few things you can do to save some money. First, it may help to obtain multiple quotes from different solicitors or licensed conveyancers. Look for competitive pricing while ensuring the quality of service provided. There’s no harm in negotiating a bit or asking for a discount.

Remember, some conveyancing professionals offer fixed-fee packages that provide transparency and predictability in terms of costs. This can help you avoid any unexpected or additional charges, so you may want to look for those options. You may also want to find a conveyancing solicitor that offers online services because they often have lower overhead costs compared to traditional firms. These providers may offer competitive fees while maintaining professional standards.

Online conveyancers in the UK are professional conveyancing firms that offer their services through digital platforms, primarily operating online. They utilise technology and digital tools to facilitate the conveyancing process remotely. Instead of traditional face-to-face meetings, much of the communication and documentation exchange takes place electronically, making the process more convenient and accessible.

One of the most important things you can do is keep an eye out for referral fees. Be cautious when dealing with estate agents who recommend specific conveyancers. While they may seem convenient, these referrals often come with referral fees, which can increase your overall costs. Take the time to research and choose your conveyancer independently.

Making The Right Choice

Finding the right professional to handle the sale or purchase of your home is essential. Is a solicitor a conveyancer? No, and not every professional will be right depending on your situation. No matter whom you choose, it’s important to conduct thorough research and read customer reviews to ensure you choose a reputable and reliable provider. Look for firms with a strong track record, and positive customer feedback, and are regulated by the appropriate governing bodies, such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. Then you’ll find the right team to handle the job.