Want to stay updated? Let us know if you’re interested in regular email updates.
Close
Skip to content
Money Helper logo Money Helper logo Money Helper logo Money Helper logo Money Helper logo Money Helper logo
Cymraeg
  • Benefits
  • Everyday money
  • Family & care
  • Homes
  • Money troubles
  • Pensions & retirement
  • Savings
  • Work
  • Universal Credit

    Find out how Universal Credit works and how to manage your payment

    Benefits if you have children

    Entitlements to help with the cost of pregnancy or bringing up children

    Benefits if you’re sick, disabled or a carer

    Understand what support is available for coping with ill health

    Benefits in later life

    You may be entitled for help with other costs on top of your State Pension

    Benefits and work

    Extra support if you’re working, self-employed, or you’ve lost your job

    Benefits to help with housing costs

    Support to help with rent or mortgage payments if you’re on a low income

    Problems with benefits

    What to do if something goes wrong with your benefits

    Benefits

    All Benefits guidance

    Tools

    Tool

    Money Navigator

    Tool

    Money Manager

    Calculator

    Benefits calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Banking and payments

    How to choose, use and manage bank accounts

    Budgeting

    How to budget, find the best deals and switch to save money

    Buying and running a car

    How to buy and finance a car, deal with problems with car finance, and cut running costs

    Credit

    Credit basics, applying for credit, credit ratings and problems with credit

    Insurance

    Insurance for cars, health, travel, and help with insurance

    Everyday money

    All Everyday money guidance

    Tools

    Tool

    Compare bank accounts

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    Tool

    Money Midlife MOT

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Becoming a parent

    Having a baby, returning to work, childcare costs

    Death and bereavement

    Wills, inheritance, sorting out estates

    Divorce and separation

    Sorting out money and homes, what if you have children, money after break ups

    Illness and disability

    Managing costs, extra financial support, help with work or study

    Long-term care

    Paying and getting funding, ways to pay, problems with care

    Student and graduate money

    Credit cards, bank accounts, student debts

    Talk money

    Difficult conversations, talking to teenagers, older people and partners

    Family & care

    All Family & care guidance

    Tools

    Calculator

    Divorce calculator

    Calculator

    Baby costs calculator

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    Calculator

    Benefits calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Buying a home

    Mortgages, help buying, remortgaging, first-time buyers, help and support

    Renting

    Renting a home to live in, renting out a home, and overcoming problems

    Homes

    All Homes guidance

    Tools

    Calculator

    Stamp Duty calculator

    Calculator

    Mortgage affordability calculator

    Calculator

    Mortgage calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Help with the cost of living

    Budgeting, paying bills, finding extra financial support, coping with job loss

    Dealing with debt

    Bills, court fines, help with debts

    Money problems and complaints

    What to do about mis-selling, compensation and complaints

    Scams

    Spotting scams and what to do if you’re caught out

    Money troubles

    All Money troubles guidance

    Tools

    Tool

    Debt advice locator

    Calculator

    Benefits calculator

    Tool

    Bill prioritiser

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Auto enrolment

    Introduction, how it works, all about contributions

    Building your retirement pot

    How much do you need, ways to build your pot, transferring and merging

    Pension basics

    Starting a pension, types of pension, understanding pensions

    Pension problems

    Complaints, financial help when retired, changes to schemes

    State Pension

    How it works, what you might get, National Insurance

    Taking your pension

    Ways to draw your pension, when can you retire, Pension Wise appointments

    Tax and pensions

    Tax allowances, tax paid on pensions, tax relief

    Pensions and retirement

    All guidance, including how to use the Pension Wise service

    Tools

    Appointment

    Book a Pension Wise appointment

    Calculator

    Pension calculator

    Tool

    Money Midlife MOT

    Tool

    Find a retirement adviser

    ALL TOOLS

    Book your free Pension Wise appointment

    Over 50? Get free, impartial guidance from our government-backed service. We’ll explain your options for taking money from your pension pots.

  • How to save

    Getting started, getting the most out of savings, problems

    Investing

    How to invest, types of investing, buying and managing

    Types of savings

    Help with meeting goals, tax-friendly saving, saving for children

    Savings

    All Savings guidance

    Tools

    Calculator

    Savings calculator

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Employment

    Basics, benefits, tax and National Insurance

    Losing your job

    What to do, alternatives, redundancy pay

    Self-employment

    Starting out, insurance, tax, self-assessment

    Work

    All Work guidance

    Tools

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    Calculator

    Redundancy pay calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Benefits
  • Everyday money
  • Family & care
  • Homes
  • Money troubles
  • Pensions & retirement
  • Savings
  • Work
  • Universal Credit Find out how Universal Credit works and how to manage your payment
    Benefits if you have children Entitlements to help with the cost of pregnancy or bringing up children
    Benefits if you’re sick, disabled or a carer Understand what support is available for coping with ill health
    Benefits in later life You may be entitled for help with other costs on top of your State Pension
    Benefits and work Extra support if you’re working, self-employed, or you’ve lost your job
    Benefits to help with housing costs Support to help with rent or mortgage payments if you’re on a low income
    Problems with benefits What to do if something goes wrong with your benefits
    Benefits All Benefits guidance
    Tools

    Tool

    Money Navigator

    Tool

    Money Manager

    Calculator

    Benefits calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Banking and payments How to choose, use and manage bank accounts
    Budgeting How to budget, find the best deals and switch to save money
    Buying and running a car How to buy and finance a car, deal with problems with car finance, and cut running costs
    Credit Credit basics, applying for credit, credit ratings and problems with credit
    Insurance Insurance for cars, health, travel, and help with insurance
    Everyday money All Everyday money guidance
    Tools

    Tool

    Compare bank accounts

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    Tool

    Money Midlife MOT

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Becoming a parent Having a baby, returning to work, childcare costs
    Death and bereavement Wills, inheritance, sorting out estates
    Divorce and separation Sorting out money and homes, what if you have children, money after break ups
    Illness and disability Managing costs, extra financial support, help with work or study
    Long-term care Paying and getting funding, ways to pay, problems with care
    Student and graduate money Credit cards, bank accounts, student debts
    Talk money Difficult conversations, talking to teenagers, older people and partners
    Family & care All Family & care guidance
    Tools

    Calculator

    Divorce calculator

    Calculator

    Baby costs calculator

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    Calculator

    Benefits calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Buying a home Mortgages, help buying, remortgaging, first-time buyers, help and support
    Renting Renting a home to live in, renting out a home, and overcoming problems
    Homes All Homes guidance
    Tools

    Calculator

    Stamp Duty calculator

    Calculator

    Mortgage affordability calculator

    Calculator

    Mortgage calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Help with the cost of living Budgeting, paying bills, finding extra financial support, coping with job loss
    Dealing with debt Bills, court fines, help with debts
    Money problems and complaints What to do about mis-selling, compensation and complaints
    Scams Spotting scams and what to do if you’re caught out
    Money troubles All Money troubles guidance
    Tools

    Tool

    Debt advice locator

    Calculator

    Benefits calculator

    Tool

    Bill prioritiser

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Auto enrolment Introduction, how it works, all about contributions
    Building your retirement pot How much do you need, ways to build your pot, transferring and merging
    Pension basics Starting a pension, types of pension, understanding pensions
    Pension problems Complaints, financial help when retired, changes to schemes
    State Pension How it works, what you might get, National Insurance
    Taking your pension Ways to draw your pension, when can you retire, Pension Wise appointments
    Tax and pensions Tax allowances, tax paid on pensions, tax relief
    Pensions and retirement All guidance, including how to use the Pension Wise service
    Tools

    Appointment

    Book a Pension Wise appointment

    Calculator

    Pension calculator

    Tool

    Money Midlife MOT

    Tool

    Find a retirement adviser

    ALL TOOLS

    Book your free Pension Wise appointment

    Over 50? Get free, impartial guidance from our government-backed service. We’ll explain your options for taking money from your pension pots.

  • How to save Getting started, getting the most out of savings, problems
    Investing How to invest, types of investing, buying and managing
    Types of savings Help with meeting goals, tax-friendly saving, saving for children
    Savings All Savings guidance
    Tools

    Calculator

    Savings calculator

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

  • Employment Basics, benefits, tax and National Insurance
    Losing your job What to do, alternatives, redundancy pay
    Self-employment Starting out, insurance, tax, self-assessment
    Work All Work guidance
    Tools

    Tool

    Budget Planner

    Calculator

    Redundancy pay calculator

    ALL TOOLS

    Pensions issues? Join our community group

    Join our private Facebook group ‘Your pension and planning for the future – by MoneyHelper’ to get help and to chat about pensions

Home
Cymraeg
  1. Home
  2. Homes
  3. Mortgages and homebuying
Homes Mortgages and homebuying

Find the right property solicitor or conveyancer

A solicitor or conveyancer handles all the legal work for buying or selling a property. It’s an important job, so here’s what you need to know about finding the right property specialist for you.

What’s in this guide

  • What do solicitors and licensed conveyancers do?
  • What’s the difference between a solicitor and conveyancer?
  • How to find a legal property specialist
  • Questions to ask a solicitor or conveyancer
  • Average cost of conveyancing
  • If you want to make a complaint
  • Find other specialists in home buying or selling

What do solicitors and licensed conveyancers do?

The first question you’re asked when you make an offer on a property is the name and contact details of your solicitor or licensed conveyancer who will look after the conveyancing process. 

Conveyancing is the term for the legal process of transferring ownership of property.  

They will: 

  • handle contracts 
  • give legal advice 
  • do local council searches 
  • deal with the Land Registry, and 
  • transfer the money to pay for your property.  

It’s an important job, so choose carefully and compare more than one firm. 

Legal fees are usually about £2,000, including VAT at 20%.

Find out more in our guide Mortgage fees and costs when buying or selling a home
Back to top

What’s the difference between a solicitor and conveyancer?

In the UK, you can choose either a solicitor or conveyancer to carry out the legal side when buying or selling a property.  

Licensed conveyancers specialise in property law but can’t handle complex legal issues. 

A solicitor is trained in all areas of law and must be a member of The Law Society UK. This means they usually cost more than a conveyancer as they can offer other legal services if things go wrong. 

Both are regulated and have to uphold professional standards.

Back to top

How to find a legal property specialist

  • Ask friends and family for a recommendation. 
  • Ask your lender, mortgage broker or Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). 
  • Search online. Look for options in your local area or where you are buying, and check their ratings and reviews. 
  • Your estate agent might recommend a solicitor, but this might be based on commission or could be expensive, so always compare prices elsewhere. 
  • Online conveyancing is often cheaper, but you might only deal with them by email or phone. Some people complain about poor service and not talking to the same person each time. They also can't handle complex legal issues. 

Make sure your chosen property specialist is a member of the Law Society of England and WalesOpens in a new window, Law Society of ScotlandOpens in a new window or Law Society of Northern Ireland and a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality SchemeOpens in a new window

Conveyancers must be members of the Council for Licenced Conveyancers

Back to top

Questions to ask a solicitor or conveyancer

Always confirm what you will pay and when before you hire someone. 

Conveyancing fees are usually split into legal fees and ‘disbursements’. Disbursements are charges for services your solicitor pays for, like searches, which you will pay back in your final bill.  

Try to find out: 

  • Are they approved by your mortgage lender? 
  • If applicable, do they have experience with shared ownership or listed properties? 
  • Are they members of a professional body? 
  • What is their complaints process? 

Choosing the right property specialist

Buying a house can be stressful. But having a solicitor or conveyancer who can answer any questions can make it a lot easier.  

  • Make sure you find out the best times and ways to contact them. 
  • Check if they have a system allowing you to track how the purchase is progressing. 
  • Check if they have a holiday booked when you will need them. 
  • Ask who will step in if they are away or off sick. 
  • Know where they are located and decide what's most important for you. Using a solicitor or conveyancer near to your home or work makes it easier to drop off or collect documents if necessary; and there might be local arrangements or leases, which are unique to your area. But online firms or firms further away might offer a cheaper service, so it's important to weigh up the pros and cons. 
Back to top

Average cost of conveyancing

You can be charged in different ways: 

  • a fixed fee
  • an hourly rate, or 
  • a percentage of the property price. 

Try to get quotes from three different firms on the total cost of their service. 

Make sure the quotes break down all costs, including VAT, so you’re comparing like with like. Fees vary and could cost you between £800 to over £2,000. 

They should include charges for: 

  • searches 
  • bank transfers 
  • Land Registry fees 
  • Stamp Duty, Land Transaction Tax, or Buildings and Land Transaction Tax, if it applies 
  • other costs including postage and courier services 
  • additional work if the process is more complex or urgent than expected 
  • some conveyancers charge more if you want to use a Help to Buy or Lifetime ISA, or are buying or selling a shared ownership property. 

Find out about other costs when buying or selling a home. 

Back to top

If you want to make a complaint

Things can go wrong and there are groups who can help you if you want to make a complaint.

  • The Law Society
  • Legal Ombudsman
  • Council for Licenced Conveyancers
  • Scottish Legal Complaints Commission
Back to top

Find other specialists in home buying or selling

Back to top
Thank you for your feedback.
We’re always trying to improve our website and services, and your feedback helps us understand how we’re doing.
Share this article
Email Facebook Twitter
Share this with
WhatsApp LinkedIn
Copy this link
Send email
Copy this link
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
Looking for us? Now, we’re MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is the new, easy way to get clear, free, impartial help for all your money and pension choices. Whatever your circumstances or plans, move forward with MoneyHelper.

Continue to website
H.M. Government logo
Money and Pensions Service logo
Level AA conformance, W3C WAI Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Clear English Standard for Websites logo
  • About us
  • Getting help and advice
  • Contact us
  • Partners
  • Tools and calculators
  • Give feedback
  • Welsh language scheme
  • Blog

Follow us:

© 2023 Money and Pensions Service, 120 Holborn, London EC1N 2TD. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy notice
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Cookies
  • Cookie preferences Cookie preferences
Talk to us live for…
Close
Talk to us live for…
Close
Talk to us live for pensions guidance using…
Our pensions webchat and telephone helpline will be closed on Tuesday 28 March for staff training. We will re-open on Wednesday 29.
Previous Close
Talk to us live for money guidance using…
Previous Close
Talk to us live for pensions guidance using the telephone
Over 50 and want to know your pension options? Our call centre is closed right now, but you can explore your options with our simple online tool
  • From overseas: +44 20 7932 5780
  • For self-employed: 0345 602 7021*
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:9am–5pm inc 23, 29 and 30 Dec
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed: 24–28 Dec and 31 Dec to 3 Jan 2022

* Calls are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Previous Close
Talk to us live for money guidance using the telephone
  • Welsh: 0800 138 0555*
  • Typetalk: 18001 0800 915 4622*
  • From overseas: +44 20 3553 2279
Hours
  • Mon – Fri:8am–6pm inc 23, 29 and 30 Dec
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidays:Closed: 24–28 Dec and 31 Dec to 3 Jan 2022

* Calls are free. We’re committed to providing you with a quality service, so calls may be recorded or monitored for training purposes and to help us develop our services.

Previous Close

Previous Close

Previous Close

Previous Close
Talk to us live for pensions guidance using web chat
Hours
  • Mon-Fri8am-6pm
  • Sat8am - 3pm
  • Sun and bank holidaysClosed
Previous Close
Talk to us live for money guidance using web chat
Hours
  • Mon, Wed, Fri8.20am - 6.20pm
  • Tues, Thurs9am - 6.20pm
  • Sat, Sun and bank holidaysClosed
Previous Close
Talk to us for pensions guidance using our web form

We aim to respond within 5 working days

Previous Close
Talk to us for money guidance using our web form

We aim to respond within 5 working days

Previous Close
Talk to us live for money guidance using WhatsApp

Download app: WhatsApp

For help sorting out your debts, credit questions or pensions guidance. For everything else please contact us via Webchat or Telephone.

Previous Close