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Conveyancing Solicitors

Buying a home, selling a property, remortgaging, or transferring equity — conveyancing is the legal process that makes property transactions complete safely and securely. A solicitor protects your interest at every stage.

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another. It encompasses searches, enquiries, contract exchange, mortgage offer conditions, title investigation, stamp duty land tax, and registration at HM Land Registry. A solicitor carries out the legal work — protecting the client's interest throughout, identifying title defects and potential disputes before exchange, and ensuring the transaction completes on the terms the client agreed. Whether you are buying your first home, selling a buy-to-let, remortgaging to release equity, or dealing with a complex shared ownership or new-build transaction, a conveyancing solicitor is essential.

Buying & selling residential property Remortgage & equity transfer New build & shared ownership Free initial consultation

Conveyancing Services

Every type of residential conveyancing transaction — select the one that matches your situation.

Buying a Property

From making an offer to exchanging contracts and completing — a solicitor carries out title investigations, property searches, and mortgage conditions, protecting you from purchase pitfalls.

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Selling a Property

From accepting an offer to completing the sale — a solicitor prepares the contract pack, responds to the buyer's enquiries, and manages the exchange and completion process.

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Remortgage

Switching your mortgage to a new lender or product requires a solicitor to investigate the title on behalf of the new lender and discharge the existing mortgage on completion.

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Transfer of Equity

Adding or removing a name from the title of a property — on relationship breakdown, marriage, or family reorganisation — requires a solicitor to handle the title transfer and any mortgage implications.

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New Build Conveyancing

New build purchases involve developer-imposed timescales, reservation agreements, and complex title structures — a solicitor ensures the contract protects your position through to completion.

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Shared Ownership Conveyancing

Shared ownership combines a lease with a mortgage — the title structure is complex and the contract terms are set by the housing association. A solicitor advises on the terms before you commit.

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Auction Property Conveyancing

Buying at auction creates an immediately binding contract on the fall of the hammer. A solicitor reviews the legal pack before you bid to identify title issues and legal risks.

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How It Works

Conveyancing moves in stages — offer accepted, searches and enquiries, exchange of contracts, and completion. A solicitor manages every stage, protecting your interest and ensuring the transaction proceeds on the terms agreed.

A conveyancing solicitor will carry out the title investigation and searches, raise and resolve all enquiries, handle the mortgage lender's requirements, manage exchange and completion, and register the new title at HM Land Registry.

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1

Tell us about the property transaction

Describe the transaction — buying, selling, remortgaging, or equity transfer — the property, and any aspects you are concerned about.

2

Solicitor advises on the process and the legal issues

A conveyancing specialist advises on the legal process for the specific transaction, identifies any title or search issues of concern, and manages the transaction through to completion.

3

Free initial consultation

You receive clear advice on the conveyancing process and what the solicitor will do to protect your interest — at no cost and no obligation.

Free Initial Consultation

Property is the largest financial transaction most people make. A conveyancing solicitor ensures it completes safely, on the agreed terms, and with title free from undisclosed defects.

Get specialist conveyancing advice — and ensure your property transaction is handled by a solicitor who protects your interest at every stage from offer to completion.

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Common Questions

Conveyancing — what people ask us.

How long does conveyancing take?

The average residential conveyancing transaction takes 8–12 weeks from offer accepted to completion — but the timeline can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the transaction, the length of the chain, and how quickly all parties respond to enquiries and searches. Leasehold transactions typically take longer than freehold — due to the additional enquiries required of the landlord and managing agent. New build transactions may take longer again — because completion is conditional on practical completion of the property. A solicitor will advise on a realistic timeline for the specific transaction and manage the process to avoid unnecessary delays — chasing all parties (estate agents, mortgage lenders, sellers' and buyers' solicitors) to keep the transaction moving.

What are property searches and do I need them?

Property searches are enquiries made to third parties to identify issues that affect the property but are not apparent from the title itself. The standard searches are: a Local Authority search (planning, building regulations, road adoption); a Drainage and Water search (whether the property is connected to the public sewer and water main); and an Environmental search (contaminated land, flooding, ground stability). Additional searches may be required depending on the location and type of property. Searches are essential — most mortgage lenders require them, and they can reveal significant issues that would affect the buyer's decision (a proposed motorway development revealed in the local authority search; contaminated land revealed in the environmental search). A solicitor will advise on the searches required for the specific property.

What is the difference between exchange of contracts and completion?

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the sale becomes legally binding — both parties sign and exchange identical contracts, and the buyer pays the deposit (typically 10% of the purchase price). After exchange, neither party can withdraw without paying compensation — the seller cannot accept a higher offer and the buyer cannot simply walk away. Completion is the date on which the balance of the purchase price is paid, the keys are released, and legal ownership of the property passes to the buyer. The gap between exchange and completion (typically 1–4 weeks) allows the buyer to make moving arrangements, the seller to vacate, and the solicitors to prepare for completion. A solicitor will manage both stages and ensure the transaction proceeds without incident.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax and how much will I pay?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax on property purchases in England and Northern Ireland — payable by the buyer within 14 days of completion. The rates depend on the purchase price, the type of property (residential or commercial), whether the buyer is a first-time buyer, and whether the buyer already owns another property (the additional 3% surcharge applies to second properties and investment purchases). A solicitor will calculate the SDLT payable, advise on any reliefs available (first-time buyer relief; multiple dwellings relief), and submit the SDLT return to HMRC within the 14-day filing deadline — ensuring the buyer does not incur interest or penalties for late payment. SDLT planning is a legitimate part of the conveyancing process.

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