A conveyancing solicitor is a legal professional who manages the entire process of property ownership transfer. They handle essential tasks including property searches, contract preparation, negotiations, and fund transfers to ensure your property transaction proceeds legally and efficiently.
What is conveyancing and why do you need a solicitor?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from seller to buyer. It's important to understand that this process transfers the seller's legal title to you, rather than the land itself.
While technically you can handle conveyancing yourself, the process involves complex legal procedures, detailed documentation, and industry-specific terminology. Most people find that appointing a qualified conveyancing solicitor saves time, reduces stress, and prevents costly mistakes that could derail your transaction.
Types of transactions your conveyancing solicitor handles
Although it is often considered to be focused on the sale or purchase of a residential property, the work of a conveyancing solicitor is considerably broader than that.
Conveyancing solicitors provide expertise across a wide range of property transactions, each with specific legal requirements:
- Freehold residential property purchases
- Freehold residential property sales
- Leasehold residential property sales and purchases
- Commercial property sales and purchases
- Remortgages of any type of property
- Leasehold extension
- New-build property purchases
- Shared ownership purchases and sales
- Buy-to-let property purchases
- Auction property purchases
- Auction property sales
- Transfer of equity
- Deeds of Trust
- First-time buyer
Key responsibilities of your conveyancing solicitor
At the simplest level, your conveyancing solicitor manages all the legal tasks connected to the transactions (both buying and selling with all their variants) for a property, including managing contracts, performing searches, transferring the deposit and the final amount for purchasing your property, and giving any associated legal advice during the conveyancing process.
The following list provides a summary of the main tasks that your conveyancer will perform:
Identity verification and legal checks
Your solicitor will verify your identity and confirm your legal right to sell property. This includes checking for potential bankruptcy issues and fulfilling anti-money laundering requirements.
Property searches and due diligence
One of the most valuable services your conveyancer provides is conducting thorough searches about:
- The property's history and previous uses
- Environmental concerns and flood risks
- Access to utilities and services
- Rights of way and access issues
- Planning applications and restrictions
- Local development plans that might affect the property
Learn more about conveyancing searches
Legal documentation management
Your solicitor drafts and reviews all legal documents, including:
- Purchase/sale contracts
- Property Information Forms (TA6)
- Fixtures and Contents Forms (TA10)
- Deeds of Covenant
- Restrictive covenants and agreements
Risk assessment and protection
Based on search results, your conveyancer will advise on potential risks and recommend appropriate indemnity insurance policies to protect you from future claims or legal expenses relating to:
- Chancel repair liability
- Access rights disputes
- Planning permission issues
- Building regulations compliance
Contract exchange coordination
Your solicitor will:
- Set and agree upon exchange dates with all parties
- Verify readiness of all documentation
- Oversee the legally binding exchange of contracts
- Ensure deposit transfers are completed correctly
Completion management
On completion day, your conveyancer:
- Oversees all monetary transfers between parties
- Coordinates with mortgage lenders
- Confirms completion to all parties
- Arranges for key releases
Post-completion responsibilities
After you've moved in, your solicitor continues working by:
- Calculating and paying Stamp Duty Land Tax (England) or Land Transaction Tax (Wales)
- Managing any Capital Gains Tax requirements
- Registering the property transfer with HM Land Registry
- Providing you with final documentation of ownership
Ongoing communication and problem-solving
Throughout the entire process, your conveyancing solicitor serves as your:
- Legal expert
- Dedicated communicator
- Problem-solver
- Strategic advisor
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing solicitors
How much does a conveyancing solicitor cost?
Fees vary depending on property value and transaction complexity. Most conveyancers offer fixed-fee services ranging from £800-£1,500 plus disbursements for a standard property purchase.
How long does the conveyancing process take?
Typically, the conveyancing process takes 8-12 weeks from instruction to completion, though this can vary based on chain length and complexity of the transaction.
Can I do my own conveyancing without a solicitor?
While legally possible, DIY conveyancing is extremely challenging. Most mortgage lenders require a qualified professional, and mistakes can lead to significant legal and financial problems.
What's the difference between a conveyancer and a solicitor?
A conveyancer specializes exclusively in property transactions, while a conveyancing solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer with broader legal training who specializes in property law.
Getting expert conveyancing support
Whatever type of property transaction you're planning, you need a focused, experienced conveyancing solicitor who prioritizes your interests and provides clear communication throughout the process.
The experts at Homeward Legal can guide you through each stage of your property transaction, explaining what's happening, why it matters, and what role you play. With extensive experience in all aspects of conveyancing, they provide quality service at competitive rates.
Get a conveyancing quote online or to discuss your property plans, call .