Conveyancing is perhaps the most nerve-jangling aspect of buying or selling a property, but mandatory as it is, you need to make sure you find yourself the very best firm for the job.
Conveyancing is the legal process involved in the transferral of a property’s ownership titles from one party to another and can be completed by either a solicitor or a specialist licensed conveyancer.
The six main duties of a conveyancer
Whether you choose to use the services of an experienced solicitor or a dedicated licensed conveyance, there are six main responsibilities to carry out on behalf of the buyer:
- They will conduct searches with utility companies and local authorities to ensure there are no financial liabilities hanging over the property or predetermined future plans. This will reveal details such as whether there is a sewer running close to the property or archaic regulations such as the property’s responsibility for local church repairs.
- Advise you of all the potential charges associated with buying the property such as stamp duty and other more unusual costs.
- Proof and possibly draft contracts regarding the property’s purchase.
- Make sure your mortgage lender has every piece of information they need about the property.
- Pay fees at the end of the transaction such as stamp duty and estate agency costs.
- Register new owners with the Land Registry.
How do you choose a conveyancer?
A conveyancer should be appointed as soon as you decide to either buy or sell a property. This helps to ensure the paperwork is prepared before it becomes a matter of urgency.
It is important to appoint an experienced firm of solicitors with a track record of successful conveyancing work as, since the credit crunch, some mortgage providers are reluctant to work with conveyancers they are unsure of or have not worked with previously.
Howells Solicitors have recently been awarded membership to The Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme so are on all the major lending panels. All of our solicitors and conveyancers are extremely experienced with a highly skilled team of assistants working under them. And we also offer a ‘no sale, no fee’ promise, which means that should the transaction fall through prior to exchange of contracts, you will not be charged for the legal fees.
It is always a good idea to appoint your existing solicitors or follow the recommendation of a trusted contact who has recently moved house.
Fees for conveyancing
It is important to check conveyancing charges upfront before you make any decisions. Lists of charges typically include the cost of the conveyancer’s time and council and Land Registry fees for searches and lodging title deeds.
If you’re looking to achieve a smooth move with a prompt and efficient conveyancing process, call the experienced and specialist conveyancing team at Howells Solicitors on 0808 178 2773.
by Tristan Lewis
