Buying or selling a property is exciting, but it can also feel daunting when you realise just how many legal steps are involved. This is where conveyancing comes in. Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from a seller to a buyer.
Using a qualified conveyancing solicitor makes this process far smoother, helping you avoid legal pitfalls and delays that could cost you both time and money. In this blog, we will explain what a conveyancing solicitor does, how they help at each stage of a property transaction, and why having the right solicitor by your side is essential.
What is a conveyancing solicitor?
A conveyancing solicitor is a qualified solicitor who specialises in property law. Their role is to guide you through each stage of a property transaction, ensuring that all the legal, financial and administrative steps are completed correctly.
In practice, your solicitor will:
- Handle contracts between buyer and seller
- Carry out property searches
- Advise you on leasehold or freehold ownership
- Manage financial transactions, including deposits and completion funds
- Liaise with the other party’s solicitor, mortgage lenders, surveyors, and estate agents
- Register you as the new legal owner with HM Land Registry
From searches to completion: The role of your solicitor
Property searches
Property searches are investigations carried out by your solicitor with the local authority and other bodies. They reveal important information such as:
- Planning restrictions
- Local land changes
- Environmental risks
Your solicitor will explain the results in plain English, so that you can make an informed choice before proceeding.
Surveys
A survey is an inspection of the property’s condition, usually carried out by a surveyor, not your solicitor. Common surveys include the HomeBuyer Report or a full Building Survey.
While your solicitor won’t perform the survey, they will:
- Review the report
- Advise if the findings raise any legal issues (for example, if structural defects affecting mortgage approval arise)
- Ensure necessary adjustments are made before the exchange
Documents
Several key documents are needed during conveyancing, including:
- The draft contract of sale
- Title deeds
- Transfer deed
- Mortgage deed (if applicable)
- Stamp Duty Land Tax forms
Your solicitor prepares, checks, and manages these documents, ensuring they are accurate and legally binding.
Key communication
Your conveyancing solicitor acts as the key communicator between you and several other parties involved in the transaction. They will liaise with:
- The solicitors for the other parties in the chain
- Your mortgage lender
- Estate agents
At the same time, they’ll keep you updated, offering clear advice and answering any questions.
Exchange of contracts
The exchange of contracts is the point when the transaction becomes legally binding. Your solicitor will:
- Confirm both parties are ready
- Ensure all conditions are met
- Handle the exchange with the other solicitor
At this stage, you’ll usually pay your deposit, and a completion date will be set.
Completion
On completion day, your solicitor will transfer the remaining funds to the seller’s solicitor. Once the funds clear, you’ll receive the keys to your new home.
After completion
Your solicitor will carry out the following tasks after the keys are handed over:
- Pay your Stamp Duty Land Tax (if due)
- Register you as the new owner with HM Land Registry
- Send you the official title documents once registration is complete
Additional checks for Leasehold properties
A solicitor’s responsibilities adapt depending on whether the property is freehold or leasehold.
- Freehold: You own the property and the land it stands on outright.
- Leasehold: You own the property for a set number of years, but the land is owned by a freeholder.
With a leasehold property, your solicitor will carry out some additional checks, such as ground rent terms, service charges, the length of the lease, and any restrictions on the property. These checks are essential to make sure you’re fully aware of your rights and obligations before committing.
A qualified property solicitor will also be able to help you should you need to negotiate a lease extension at some point post-purchase as well.
Solicitor responsibilities in new build purchases
Buying a new build is slightly different to purchasing an older property. Developers often use complex contracts and have tight completion deadlines, so your solicitor will:
- Review the contract terms carefully
- Ensure planning permissions and building regulations have been followed
- Check that the property has the correct NHBC or similar warranty
- Protect you against unfair clauses that may affect your future rights
The cost of conveyancing
Conveyancing costs are typically made up of:
- Solicitor’s legal fees for handling the conveyancing work
- Disbursements, which are third-party costs such as Land Registry fees and Stamp Duty
For a clear, upfront estimate, you can use our instant conveyancing quote tool.
How long does conveyancing usually take?
On average, conveyancing takes 12 to 16 weeks from offer acceptance to completion, though this can vary depending on the complexity of the transaction and how quickly documents and funds are provided.
Can I do conveyancing without a solicitor?
It is legally possible to undertake a conveyancing transaction without a solicitor, but it’s rarely advisable. Property law is complex, and mistakes can be costly. For example, missing vital information in searches, misunderstanding leasehold obligations, and failure to meet deadlines could mean losing your deposit or even the property.
Using a solicitor greatly reduces these risks and gives you peace of mind.
Conclusion
A Conveyancing solicitor is essential when buying or selling property. From checking the title deeds and conducting searches to handling funds and registering you as the new owner, they make the process smoother, safer, and less stressful.
If you’re buying or selling a property, contact the team at Eric Robinson Solicitors today or use our instant quote tool to see how we can help.
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