What Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Do?
When you buy or sell a home, you will hear the word conveyancing very early. At Ally Randall Solicitors, we are often asked what a conveyancing solicitor actually does. In short, a conveyancing solicitor handles the legal side of transferring property ownership and protects your interests along the way. This guide explains each task, who the solicitor acts for, what they do not do and how to choose the right one.
Quick answer: A conveyancing solicitor checks that the seller can legally sell, reviews contracts, orders searches, raises enquiries, deals with your mortgage lender, handles the money on completion, pays stamp duty and registers the new owner with HM Land Registry. Ally Randall Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, number 8004119.
What Is a Conveyancing Solicitor?
A conveyancing solicitor is a qualified solicitor who specialises in property transactions. Conveyancing is the legal process of buying, selling, remortgaging or transferring ownership of a residential property. It includes contract review, title checks, searches, enquiries, lender requirements, completion and registration with HM Land Registry.
What Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Do for a Buyer?
When you buy a property, your conveyancing solicitor will usually:
- Open your file and check your identity: they verify your ID and where your deposit comes from, and send a client care letter setting out the fee and who handles your case.
- Review the draft contract pack: they read the contract, the title documents and the seller’s forms, and explain anything that affects you.
- Order property searches: these usually include local authority, drainage and water, and environmental searches.
- Raise enquiries: they ask the seller’s solicitor about boundaries, building work, planning permission and what is included in the sale.
- Deal with your mortgage lender: they check the lender’s conditions and report to the lender where required.
- Send you a report on title: this summarises the legal position and any risks in plain language before you commit.
- Exchange contracts: both sides sign, the deal becomes legally binding and a completion date is fixed.
- Complete the purchase: they send the balance of the money to the seller’s solicitor and arrange release of the keys.
- Pay stamp duty: they file your Stamp Duty Land Tax return and pay HMRC, usually on completion day. The return must reach HMRC within 14 days of completion.
- Register you as the new owner: they apply to HM Land Registry and register any mortgage.
What Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Do for a Seller?
When you sell, your solicitor usually:
- Checks your ownership and gathers the title documents
- Helps you complete the property information form and the fittings and contents form
- Requests the management pack from the landlord or managing agent if the property is leasehold
- Drafts the contract and sends the contract pack to the buyer’s solicitor
- Answers the buyer’s enquiries
- Agrees a completion date and exchanges contracts
- Repays your mortgage from the sale proceeds and sends you the balance after fees
What Else Can a Conveyancing Solicitor Help With?
The same skills apply to many other property matters. Our residential conveyancing solicitors assist with:
- Freehold and leasehold sales and purchases
- Remortgages and refinancing
- Transfers of equity
- New build purchases
- Shared ownership and Right to Buy
- Auction purchases and sales
- Islamic mortgage conveyancing
- Bridging finance and secured lending
If your transaction involves business premises, our commercial conveyancing team advises on commercial sales, purchases and leases.
Who Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Act For?
Your solicitor acts for you and protects your interests. When you buy with a mortgage, your solicitor usually also acts for your lender, which is why they must follow the lender’s instructions and report on the title. Always tell your solicitor if you notice anything that conflicts with what you were told.
What a Conveyancing Solicitor Does Not Do
Knowing the limits helps you plan:
- They do not survey the property or value it. You arrange a survey separately.
- They do not arrange your mortgage. That is the role of your lender or a mortgage broker.
- They do not decide whether you should buy. They advise on the legal position and risks, and the decision is yours.
- They do not control the speed of the whole chain. Other solicitors, lenders and councils also affect timing.
What Does a Conveyancer Do?
Conveyancer is a general term for someone who carries out conveyancing. A conveyancing solicitor is a solicitor who does this work. A licensed conveyancer is a specialist regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers rather than the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Both can handle a house purchase or sale in England and Wales, and both must hold professional indemnity insurance and follow professional codes of conduct. The main differences between them are explained in our separate guide to conveyancer vs solicitor.
Is a Conveyancing Solicitor Regulated?
Yes. Solicitors and their firms in England and Wales are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Ally Randall Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, number 8004119. You can check any firm on the SRA’s public register before you instruct them.
Who Will Work on Your Matter?
At Ally Randall Solicitors, one dedicated fee earner manages your matter from instruction to completion. Our conveyancing team includes solicitors, an associate conveyancer with over 29 years of residential experience, a trainee solicitor and conveyancing paralegals. You can see their backgrounds on our team page.
How to Choose a Conveyancing Solicitor
- Check they are regulated and, if you have a mortgage, that they can act for your lender
- Ask for a written quote and find out what is included
- Ask who will handle your case and how they will keep you updated
- Check they handle your type of transaction, such as leasehold, new build or auction
- Ask what happens to the fee if the transaction does not proceed
- Read recent client reviews
How Much Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Cost?
Our published legal fees start from £1,305 plus VAT for a sale or purchase up to £499,999, and from £695 plus VAT for a remortgage. Fees may vary depending on the property value, transaction type, title complexity, lender requirements, leasehold documents and any additional legal work. Disbursements and stamp duty are charged on top where they apply. For a quote based on your transaction, contact our conveyancing team.
How Long Does a Conveyancing Solicitor Take?
Our conveyancing process typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the property chain and the complexity of the transaction.
We act for clients across Northwood Hills, Northwood, Pinner, Ruislip, Eastcote, Harrow and Watford, and you can learn more about Ally Randall Solicitors or browse our legal services.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Our fees are as published on our residential conveyancing page and can change.
Speak to a Conveyancing Solicitor
Call us on 020 8152 8737 or contact Ally Randall Solicitors to discuss your purchase, sale or remortgage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a conveyancing solicitor do?
A conveyancing solicitor handles the legal side of buying, selling or transferring property. They check the title, review contracts, order searches, raise enquiries, deal with your mortgage lender, handle the money on completion, pay stamp duty and register the new owner with HM Land Registry.
Do I need a conveyancing solicitor to buy a house?
You should use one. A solicitor or licensed conveyancer protects your interests and manages the legal process, and if you have a mortgage your lender will usually require a regulated professional.
Does the solicitor act for my mortgage lender too?
When you buy with a mortgage, your solicitor usually acts for you and for your lender, so they must follow the lender’s instructions as well as protect your interests.
How much does a conveyancing solicitor cost?
Our published legal fees start from £1,305 plus VAT for a sale or purchase up to £499,999 and from £695 plus VAT for a remortgage. Disbursements and stamp duty are charged in addition where they apply.
How long does a conveyancing solicitor take?
Our conveyancing process typically takes around 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the property chain and the complexity of the transaction.
What is the difference between a conveyancing solicitor and a conveyancer?
A conveyancing solicitor is a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who specialises in property. A licensed conveyancer is a property specialist regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. Both can handle a house purchase or sale in England and Wales.