Tips for choosing a conveyancer

One of the most nerve-jangling parts of buying and selling a home is conveyancing – the legal process involving the official transfer of property ownership from one person to another.

But homebuyers can avoid the stress involved in the conveyancing process by following a few simple tips:

• Don’t necessarily use a firm because they have done other work for you or your family – conveyancing may not be their specialism.
• Shop around and get quotes from several firms, but remember that the cheapest quote isn't always the best quote. The best time to shop around is before making an offer, so that everything is in place and you move quickly on your purchase - this will be attractive to the seller.
• Don’t necessarily choose a conveyancer nearby, but it can help if they are used to working with the estate agents involved and the other side’s conveyancing firm.
• Be open to taking advice from your estate agent - they may be able to suggest a firm that is used to conveyancing properties in the area. This can help because they might have relationships with the particular local authority or other freeholder, for example.  This can dramatically speed up the process.
• Make sure you get all the details of additional costs, as some conveyancers charge top-up fees for certain services like complying with their anti-money laundering obligations.
• Ask if the lawyer who will be handling your case has any upcoming holidays booked - if they have it can cause hold-ups when the conveyancing is handed on to their colleague.
• Use a conveyancing firm that has been accredited by the Law Society.

Stephen Ludlow, Chairman of ludlowthompson, comments: “Choosing the right conveyancer can be the difference between a really smooth and quick property transaction or a slow, drawn-out, stressful experience.

“An experienced and knowledgeable conveyancer that can offer a reasonable price is likely to be better than a lawyer who might have helped with another legal issue but who doesn’t specialise in conveyancing.”