Whenever you buy or sell property, you will need to find a conveyancer to carry out the legal work on your behalf. It is not compulsory to use a conveyancer, but if you are buying with a mortgage, your mortgage company will insist on it.
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Why do I need a conveyancer?
The law relating to the sale and purchase of property is particularly complex in the UK. A conveyancer will have the necessary legal knowledge to protect you from any pitfalls and the experience to manage the sale and purchase process smoothly.
A well chosen conveyancer will make the sometimes stressful process of buying and selling property easier for you. Choosing the wrong conveyancer can be a costly mistake. Problems can occur with delays, unforeseen costs and even losing the sale or purchase. Quality schemes, such as the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, are available to help you make your choice.
What does a conveyancer do?
A conveyancer will carry out the searches required, including the local authority, environmental and drainage searches. They will check the legal title to the property and advise you on the extent of the property you are buying and any rights or responsibilities that attach to it. A key part of the process is raising any necessary legal enquiries with the other side and helping you respond to any enquiries you receive on your sale. They will also draft the legal documents that are necessary to pass ownership of the property and reflect any other terms agreed between the buyer and seller, as well as ensure that your purchase is properly registered at the Land Registry.
Behind the scenes, conveyancers continually liaise with estate agents and other professionals to ensure transactions proceed smoothly.
How do I choose a conveyancer?
Many buyers and sellers will choose to carry out their research into conveyancers online and to obtain online conveyancing quotes. It is important that you check exactly what is included in any quote you obtain so that you are comparing like for like and do not have any unwelcome surprises; see https://www.samconveyancing.co.uk/news/conveyancing/online-conveyancing-quotes-the-truth-behind-the-low-fees-280
What types of conveyancers are there?
You may come across conveyancers referred to as licensed conveyancers, solicitors and legal executives. All three are qualified, regulated legal professionals.