Frequently Asked Conveyancing Questions

Frequently Asked Conveyancing Questions

Author: Jamie Lawrence

Homeowners considering moving house frequently report being confused by the conveyancing process. As one of the most important parts of the moving process, it´s important to understand conveyancing to ensure you don´t get stressed out by it too much. It´s really not that complicated once you understand the basics.

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal and administrative process associated with transferring ownership of a property from one party to another. If you´re selling, buying or remortgaging a property then you will need to undertake some form of conveyancing to satisfy legal requirements. For practical purposes for the average homeowner, conveyancing as a whole refers to the work undertaken by a solicitor or registered conveyancing provider that has exchange of contracts and completion as milestones.

Who undertakes conveyancing?

Conveyancing has traditionally been undertaken by solicitors but in recent years licensed conveyancing providers have also begun to offer the service. These are generally solicitors who now specialise in only conveyancing rather than offer the normal range of legal services. Reputable parties should be licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) depending on which group they fall into.

How much does conveyancing cost?

This will depend hugely on the property you´re selling or buying and any complexities that exist. Leasehold properties, for example, attract higher conveyancing fees because the conveyancing process involved is more complicated. For the average homeowner in the United Kingdom, expect to pay between £250 and £1300 for your conveyancing. Be wary of quotes below the minimum figure.

How long should conveyancing take?

Conveyancing takes on average between 8 and 12 weeks from initial instruction to completion. More complicated cases will take longer than this, and any delays will increase the time taken. Homeowners should instruct a provider as early as possible to ensure plenty of time is available for conveyancing to take place without being rushed: as an important legal process it must be conducted properly.

What can I do if I feel my conveyancing provider is inefficient?

If you´ve instructed a solicitor you should have been given a client care letter at the initial stages. This details the firm´s grievance procedures and allows you to move forward in the event of a complaint. Resolve the matter internally if possible - a quick phone call to a senior partner is often enough to get things back on track. If things cannot be resolved internally you may feel it´s time to sack your conveyancing provider. If you choose to go down this path you´ll receive an invoice for any time spent on your case to that point; if you feel it is unreasonable ask for a breakdown of all costs. Sometimes you may find it impossible to reach an agreement over how much you owe. In this case you may have to contact the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) if dealing with a solicitor or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) if working with a licensed conveyancer. And please remember to inform your mortgage provider if you switch providers, as they´ll need to reissue your offer.

If you´re just about to move house and need a conveyancing quote please visit reallymoving.com, who provide quotes free of charge from a significant portfolio of reliable conveyancing solicitors around the country. All are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for your complete peace of mind.

Jamie Lawrence is a contributing writer for Reallymoving.com, one of the UK´s leading free moving house quotes websites.