Buying a property can feel like being dropped into a labyrinth. The process is complex, but the good news is a conveyancer can help guide you through the process. There is a helpful guide on our website.
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing refers to the legal transfer of property ownership from the seller to the buyer. Whether you’re purchasing your first home, remortgaging, or investing in real estate, conveyancers handle the legal documentation and ensure that the property transaction is smooth, transparent, and legally binding.
Despite the critical role they play, the understanding of conveyancing among homeowners is limited.
According to the eighth annual HomeOwner Survey from the Homebuyers Alliance only 53% of homeowners say they know a little about what conveyancing actually entails, despite having bought a property.
A significant number of people remain confused, with 24% of homeowners acknowledging they have heard the term but aren’t sure what it means, and 23% saying they haven’t even heard of it at all.
What does a conveyancer do?
A conveyancer’s role covers a range of important tasks, such as conducting searches and enquiries. This is the process of investigating to uncover issues such as planning restrictions or flood risks. This ensures that you’re fully informed before committing to the purchase.
A key part of conveyancing is verifying that the seller has the legal right to sell the property, ensuring it can be transferred to you without any undisclosed issues. While this might seem straightforward, it’s a vital part of the process.
Another task is the handling of contracts. The conveyancer will prepare and review the contract to ensure that the terms are fair and legally sound. If there are any unusual clauses, such as restrictive covenants that could limit how you use the property, your conveyancer will flag them.
Once contracts have been exchanged your conveyancer will agree a completion date with the other party. Finally, once the sale is complete, the conveyancer registers your ownership with the Land Registry, making sure the property is legally yours.
What if homebuyers are not satisfied with their conveyancer?
Most homeowners are generally satisfied with the service provided by their conveyancer, with satisfaction levels remaining high.
However, common complaints still arise, particularly around delays in the process, with long waits being a frequent frustration. Many buyers also highlight the need for better communication, clearer explanations of legal terms, and more flexible service hours.
Conveyancing is far more than just paperwork; it’s a crucial step in ensuring that your property purchase is legal, safe, and free from hidden issues. If you’re not happy with the service you’re receiving, it’s important to remember that you can shop around for a conveyancer who better suits your needs.
A good conveyancer can help make your property transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible.
How do homebuyers find and choose a conveyancer?
Finding the right conveyancer is a crucial decision during the homebuying process.
According to the HomeOwner Survey, 26% relied on recommendations from their mortgage broker or lender, 24% of those who bought within the last five years found their conveyancer through family or friend recommendations, 19% selected a local firm on the high street, while 22% of recent buyers relied on estate agent recommendations.
Interestingly, online searches have become a more common method for finding a conveyancer, with 14% of recent homebuyers using Google compared to just 5% of those who bought over five years ago.
This shift towards digital tools is reflected in the increasing importance of customer service ratings, and online services as well as price in the decision-making process.
When you are instructing a conveyancer it’s important to find a firm that offers the best service for your needs. We’ve created some guidance for you.
The best way to find the legal professional who is the right fit for you is to research online, speak to a few, ask questions about the services they offer and what you can expect from them.
Price and speed of service are often the factors people think of first, but you should consider others such as location,
how and when they will correspond with you and what experience they have in dealing with the type of property you
plan to buy.
In the interests of informed choice, conveyancers and solicitors are required to display key information about price and services on their website which should help you when shopping around.
To find a CLC regulated practitioner you can search here.
Stephen Ward is director of strategy and external relations at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers
