Residential Conveyancing Solicitors

Expert, fixed-fee conveyancing for every type of residential property transaction. One best-priced quote from our nationwide panel of SRA-regulated solicitors.

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What Is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one party to another. Whether you are buying your first home, selling a family house, remortgaging, or purchasing a buy-to-let investment, conveyancing is the legal backbone of every property transaction in England and Wales.

The process begins the moment an offer is accepted and ends at completion — when ownership legally changes hands and the keys are released. Between those two points, a great deal of legal, financial, and administrative work must be completed accurately and efficiently. That is where Legal Merchant's panel solicitors excel.

Why use Legal Merchant? We source the most competitive fixed-fee quote from our vetted panel of local conveyancing solicitors. One quote. Best price. No obligation.

Our Residential Conveyancing Services

Our panel solicitors provide expert legal advice and hands-on management across every type of residential property transaction, including:

Buying a House

From first-time buyers to seasoned investors — full conveyancing for freehold and leasehold property purchases.

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Selling a House

Efficient, proactive conveyancing to ensure your property sale proceeds swiftly and without legal complications.

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Remortgage

Switch to a better mortgage deal with minimum fuss. Our solicitors handle all lender requirements efficiently.

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Lease Extension

Protect and increase your property's value by extending your lease. We negotiate the best premium with freeholders.

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New Build Property

Buying a new build requires specialist knowledge. Our solicitors protect your interests during developer negotiations.

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Shared Ownership

Help getting onto the property ladder through shared ownership schemes, including staircasing transactions.

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Buy-to-Let

Conveyancing for landlords. We understand the extra legal and tax considerations for investment property purchases.

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The Conveyancing Process: Step by Step

Understanding what happens during conveyancing helps you plan effectively and reduces stress. Here is what to expect when you instruct a Legal Merchant panel solicitor:

1. Instruction & Initial Paperwork
Once you instruct your solicitor, you'll receive a client care letter, terms of engagement, and initial questionnaires. ID verification (AML checks) is completed at this stage.
2. Draft Contract & Title Investigation
Your solicitor investigates the property title, reviews the draft contract, and raises enquiries with the seller's solicitor. Any legal issues are identified and resolved here.
3. Searches & Survey
Property searches are carried out (local authority, drainage, environmental, chancel repair). Your mortgage lender may also require a valuation or survey at this stage.
4. Mortgage Offer
If purchasing with a mortgage, your lender issues a formal mortgage offer. Your solicitor reviews the offer conditions and reports to you on its terms.
5. Exchange of Contracts
Both parties sign the contract, you pay your deposit, and a completion date is fixed. The transaction becomes legally binding at this point.
6. Completion
The purchase funds are transferred, ownership changes hands, and you receive the keys. Your solicitor registers the transfer with HM Land Registry.
7. Post-Completion
Your solicitor pays any Stamp Duty Land Tax due, registers the transaction at HMLR, and sends you the title documents. The process is complete.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take?

The conveyancing process typically takes between 8 and 12 weeks, though this can vary significantly based on:

  • The length of the property chain
  • How quickly searches are returned by local authorities
  • The responsiveness of all parties and their solicitors
  • Whether any title defects or enquiries need resolving
  • Mortgage processing times

Remortgages and transfer of equity transactions can often be completed more quickly — typically in 4 to 6 weeks.

How Much Does Conveyancing Cost?

Conveyancing costs consist of two elements: legal fees (charged by your solicitor) and disbursements (third-party costs such as searches and Land Registry fees).

Stamp Duty Land Tax Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

While it is not a legal requirement to use a solicitor, it is strongly advisable. If you are purchasing with a mortgage, your lender will almost certainly require you to use a regulated conveyancer. Conveyancing involves complex legal obligations — property searches, title investigation, contract negotiation — where errors can be extremely costly. Our panel solicitors ensure the process is handled correctly and efficiently.
A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer regulated by the SRA who can provide advice across many areas of law. A licensed conveyancer is a specialist regulated by the CLC who focuses exclusively on property law. Both are qualified to carry out residential conveyancing. Legal Merchant's panel includes both solicitors and licensed conveyancers — all rigorously vetted for quality and experience.
Disbursements are third-party costs that your solicitor pays on your behalf and then recharges to you. Common disbursements include: property search fees (£200–£400), HM Land Registry registration fees (£20–£910 depending on purchase price), Stamp Duty Land Tax, bank transfer fees, and ID verification costs. All disbursements are disclosed upfront in your Legal Merchant quote.
Exchange of contracts is the legal moment at which the property transaction becomes binding on both buyer and seller. Prior to exchange, either party can withdraw without legal liability (though you may lose survey or other costs). At exchange, the buyer pays a deposit (typically 10%) and a completion date is fixed. After exchange, if either party withdraws, significant penalties apply.
Yes — conveyancing in England and Wales does not require a locally-based solicitor. However, there are advantages to working with a local professional who knows the area's land registry, planning history, and common title issues. Legal Merchant's panel includes local solicitors across the UK, combining the benefits of local knowledge with competitive pricing.

Get Your Free Conveyancing Quote

Fill in your details and one of our expert conveyancing solicitors will contact you with your best-priced quote. No obligation, no hidden fees.

  • Free, no-obligation quote
  • Competitive fixed fees
  • Local, SRA-regulated solicitors
  • Response within 2 hours
  • No sale, no fee options available

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