Whether it's your first home or you're moving on to pastures new, the property market can be a stressful and complicated place.
If you're selling or buying a property, we're here to provide you with the residential conveyancing services you need.
When you get a quote from us, the fixed legal fees you are quoted ensures that based on the information you provided on your quote, there will be no hidden costs.
What is residential conveyancing?
What is residential conveyancing?
Residential conveyancing is the act of transferring the contractual title of a property from one owner to another.
As most people aren't familiar with the overall process and legal paperwork, many use solicitors to act on their behalf for a house sale or purchase. You'll find that if you're purchasing a property with a mortgage, the lender will require a solicitor to be appointed to act on their behalf too.
Residential conveyancing solicitors are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). The CLC can issue licences to qualified lawyers who deal with all the legal matters involved when buying or selling a property in England and Wales.
Why choose Homeward Legal for residential conveyancing services?
Simple & Straightforward
We won't confuse you with lots of technical jargon. Just plain, simple English that makes the conveyancing process easy to understand.
Fixed Legal Fees
When you get residential conveyancing quotes from us, the fixed legal price we quote you is the price you'll pay, with no hidden costs.
No-Completion, No Fee
Don't worry if your move falls through. Our No-Completion, No Fee means there will be no fixed legal fees for you to pay.
Trusted
We pride ourselves on our customer service and we feel that hard work has been rewarded by the hundreds of glowing reviews we've received on Trustpilot.
Local
Whether you deal with one of our in-house team or a member of our panel of specialists, we'll find you a solicitor with excellent local knowledge of your area.
Regulated
All of the conveyancing professionals that we deal with are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
Available
Any questions? Our team is available to help until 6pm on weekdays, and 4pm on Saturdays.
What can residential conveyancing solicitors do?
What can residential conveyancing solicitors do?
The residential conveyancing services provided by your solicitor will depend on the type of transaction you've hired them to help with. Your conveyancer can deal with all the legal aspects if you're moving home. From searches, exchange of contracts and everything in between, you can trust their knowledge and experience will make the whole residential conveyancing process a lot smoother.
If you're buying a property, the primary role of residential conveyancing solicitors is to:
- Confirm your identification documents and ask to see a mortgage offer (if you are purchasing with a mortgage)
- Request searches that will provide information on the property and surrounding areas
- Agree a completion date between the parties involved
- Exchange contracts with the sellers
- Transfer funds on completion day and liaise with parties involved for the collection of keys
- Register you as the new owner with Land Registry and pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (in England) or Land Transaction Tax (in Wales) on your behalf
If you're selling a property, the role of residential conveyancing solicitors is to:
- Draft up the sale contract and let the buyer know what is included in the sale
- Confirm with the buyer's residential conveyancing solicitor that funds are in place ready for completion
- Agree a date for exchange of contracts and ensure everything is in place ready
- Pay off any outstanding mortgage once the sale is complete
- Deduct their fees before sending the remaining funds to you
Are a solicitor and residential conveyancer the same thing?
Are a solicitor and residential conveyancer the same thing?
Simply put, no.
There are two main differences between a solicitor and conveyancer, the first being their legal expertise. Solicitors are likely to have a greater knowledge of property law, whereas a conveyancer will specialise in the paperwork, contracts and finances when you're buying or selling your home.
The second is who regulates them. Those who offer residential conveyancing services must ensure they make it clear to the public who they are regulated by. Solicitors, for example, should make clear they are regulated by the SRA. For a licensed conveyancer, it's the CLC.
It's important to remember that when instructing someone to act on your behalf for your property sale or purchase, you can trust both solicitors and residential conveyancers to get the job done.
At Homeward Legal, we work with both residential conveyancers and solicitors and can help you find the professional you need to help with your sale or purchase. You can phone us now on or get a quote online.
Who would need to hire residential conveyancing solicitors?
Who would need to hire residential conveyancing solicitors?
Whether you're buying or selling a property, you're likely to need the help of residential conveyancing solicitors to assist with the legal paperwork, managing negotiations and handling monies. At Homeward Legal, we're able to provide a range of residential conveyancing services to our clients.
If you're a buyer, you'll need someone to request relevant searches on the property and surrounding area, exchange contracts and transfer funds on your behalf. They'll help to make sure the whole process is as simple as possible, meaning you can concentrate on getting ready for the move.
If you're a seller, you'll know just how stressful the process can be, but it doesn't have to be that way. With residential conveyancing solicitors via Homeward Legal, your contact will do all the legal legwork for you, exchanging contracts when ready and paying off any outstanding mortgage you might have.
If you're a first-time buyer or using the First Homes Scheme, the process can seem even more daunting. With so much to think about and a number of formalities involved, don't let the stress of your moving to your first home be tainted by this. Your residential conveyancer will ensure everything is taken care of so all you need to do is concentrate on buying the furniture you need and packing boxes.
Get in touch with us for your residential conveyancing needs
Whether you're looking to buy or sell your property, get in touch with the team today about our residential conveyancing services.
Alternatively, you can always give us a ring on or request a callback and we'll be happy to speak to you.
Frequently asked questions...
Generally, unless the seller has misrepresented the property you've purchased, which could potentially allow for you to make a legal case against the seller for breach of contract, you are unable to simply get out of a house auction contract.
If you change your mind after your bid has been accepted, you will lose your deposit and you must also pay the auctioneer's fees.
An auction legal pack for solicitors is similar to the draft contract that is used in conventional conveyancing. However, this document contains crucial information about the land or property and specific conditions of sale that could affect any decision to buy.
Conveyancing searches are a common bundle of queries carried out for the buyer, with respect to the specific property they are purchasing. The most common (and mandatory for taking out a mortgage) searches are Local Authority, Drainage and Water, Chancel Liability and Environmental, although circumstances may dictate that further searches (e.g. Brine, or Coal or Tin-Mining) may be required, particularly if you are financing the purchase with a mortgage. In these circumstances, your conveyancing solicitor will advise and discuss the need to order these additional searches, as well as providing the cost of these disbursements.
Buyers should be aware that searches cover solely legal-related matters. If you want to know about the structural integrity of the property, you are strongly advised to commission a survey with an RCIS chartered surveyor.
Yes, you can usually inspect the property's condition before the auction during designated viewing times. However, getting a formal survey before the auction might not always be feasible due to time and cost constraints.
It's advisable to carefully review the legal pack and seek professional advice if there are concerns about the property's condition or any structural issues.
Yes, a deed of trust is a legally binding document that outlines the ownership structure or beneficial interests in a property. When properly executed and signed by the involved parties, it holds legal validity and can be enforced in accordance with the terms stated within the document.
