Learn the difference between a conveyancer from a solicitor. Keep on reading this guide to help you through the process of transferring your property.

10 February 2022

Should You Use a Conveyancer or a Solicitor in Real Estate?

A solicitor and a conveyancer will both guide you through the process of transferring property, whether you’re buying or selling real estate. You’ll need either one as soon as you’ve agreed to an offer, and they should oversee the transfer of legal ownership. However, how can you decide which of the two is right for your case?

Conveyancer vs Solicitor

Solicitors and conveyancers are fully regulated, insured and capable of transferring the legal ownership of a real estate you are buying or selling. Both operate to almost identical conveyancing practices and procedures when it comes to handling your property transactions. 

However, there are stark differences between the two, and you’ll likely see a difference in the cost of their services as well. As you choose between the two, here are some things to keep in mind:

• A conveyancer is a specialist property lawyer who focuses on residential property. That means they work on progressing transactions like your case every day.

• A solicitor is a qualified lawyer with extensive training in many aspects of the law. That means they can offer full legal services, including divorce proceedings. They’re more likely to offer you advice out of the usual scope of the process but remain relevant to your case. That, too, means they are pricier.

• Having a solicitor as opposed to a conveyancer to overtake your transfer of real estate ownership is going to cost more.

• Mortgage lenders usually only allow conveyancers or solicitors within their panel. They commonly pay the lender for the privilege of being the point people for such services.

• If you don’t use a conveyancer or solicitor on the lender’s panel, you’ll have to pay for the bank’s representation fees. That fee usually varies from bank to bank but averages at £200.

When to Use a Solicitor Instead of a Conveyancer

If you are dealing with complicated transactions, you’ll be better off with a qualified solicitor than a conveyancer. That is because they can perform more than just conveyancing. For instance, a solicitor can properly handle a boundary dispute or sellers getting divorced because they have knowledge beyond property conveyancing law. 

You can expect the matter to be addressed as best as possible. On the other hand, you can expect a conveyancer to handle your transaction of legal ownership transfer from beginning to end.

The Pros and Cons of Having a Solicitor 

As stated above, solicitors are more expensive than conveyancers, but they do bring something more to the table. Solicitors can handle more complex cases with urgent deadlines, but they sometimes work in small practices and have trouble providing continuity of service when they go on holiday.

Some solicitors may also insist on seeing you in person to confirm you are who you claim to be. That can be inconvenient, but it’s a safety measure they do. 

Conclusion

Choosing which to let overtake your legal transfer of ownership can depend on the complexity of your case. If it’s a straightforward transaction, you can make do with a conveyancer. However, if it involves complex matters, you may want to seek a solicitor instead. Most solicitors are highly specialised in their field, while others do conveyancing part-time.