It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when starting the home-buying process. From offers and negotiations to surveys and completion dates, there are many plates first-time buyers need to spin.
For first-time buyers, conveyancing is the legal process that protects you from costly mistakes by ensuring your purchase is legally sound, fully compliant, and free from hidden issues.
Conveyancing aims to support all property buyers, but especially those purchasing a home for the first time. Read on to learn more about what conveyancing is, how it is relevant to you, and how you could benefit from conveyancing services.
And, if you’re ready to find the best conveyancing solicitor for your needs, why not get a quote from our team today? We’ve been offering property legal services since 1987, are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), and are proud to hold a strong Trustpilot rating (4.6), helping first-time buyers move with confidence.
What is conveyancing, and why is it relevant to buying a house?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. The process typically starts once your offer is accepted, and ends once you receive the keys to your new property.
Residential conveyancing applies whether you’re buying a house, flat, shared ownership, buy-to-let, or new-build property.
When it comes to being a first-time buyer, conveyancing ensures that:
- You legally own the property
- There are no legal issues affecting the property
- All contracts, searches, and funds have been handled correctly
It’s very important that all steps in this process follow legal and regulatory requirements, as this ensures that all parties are protected and the ownership transfer stays legitimate.
Without conveyancing, you could be left with unexpected legal or financial problems. With this in mind, it is a crucial consideration when buying a house for the first time.
How to choose a conveyancing solicitor as a first-time buyer
There are many conveyancing solicitors and conveyancing firms online, which can make your search a bit stressful as a first-time buyer.
To find the best conveyancer for your needs, we recommend finding a conveyancing firm that:
- Explains terms, steps, and legal jargon clearly
- Offers a fixed fee to avoid financial surprises
- Has experience with first-time buyers for tailored support
- Is easy to get in touch with, so you’re never left chasing
- Boasts strong reviews and credentials for peace of mind
We’re proud to fulfil all of these features as an experienced, trusted conveyancing firm.
Remember that having professional legal support from a conveyancer is well worth the peace of mind. You will be guided and supported through every stage, and receive expert advice and insight throughout your first-time buying process. If you’d like to explore this topic in more detail, you can read our How to choose the right conveyancing solicitor article.
What is a conveyancing solicitor?
A conveyancing solicitor is a legal professional who specialises in property transactions. It is their job to guide you through the legal stages involved in your first property purchase.
So, what exactly does a conveyancing solicitor do? Their role can involve:
- Carrying out property searches with local authorities
- Reviewing contracts and raising any concerns with the seller’s solicitor
- Checking over your mortgage conditions and liaising with your lender
- Handling the exchange of contracts
- Ensuring funds are transferred and completing the purchase
Hiring an experienced conveyancing solicitor is especially important for first-time buyers, as it means you’ll never be left in the dark about what step is next within the process. You’ll also have the peace of mind that all agreements, searches, and discussions are being handled above board.
Is there a difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?
As a first-time buyer, you may have come across terms such as “solicitor”, “conveyancer”, or even “conveyancing solicitor”.
In simple terms, both solicitors and licensed conveyancers can carry out property conveyancing. A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer who can work across many areas of law, and some choose to specialise in residential conveyancing. These specialists are often referred to as conveyancing solicitors and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
A licensed conveyancer, however, specialises specifically in property law and conveyancing. They are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
Both options are professionally regulated and suitable for first-time buyers, but many choose one over the other based on fees and experience.
What is the average cost for conveyancing fees in the UK?
The average cost for conveyancing fees in the UK can be anywhere between £850 and £1500, and this amount can vary depending on:
- Whether the property you’d like to buy is freehold or leasehold
- The purchase price of the property
- The complexity of the transaction
- The amount of legal work required
At ONP, we offer a competitive no-completion, no-legal fee policy. Put simply, if your purchase doesn’t complete, you won’t have to pay our legal fees.
For an accurate, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific buying situation, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
What are the stages of the conveyancing process?
At ONP, we’ve perfected the conveyancing process and carry out the entire property ownership transfer in eight steps:
- Initial setup: Onboarding and getting to know your unique buying situation.
- Legal enquiries: Drafting contracts and conducting searches and surveys for legal issues, such as planning permissions and boundary disputes.
- Mortgage offer: Reviewing your mortgage and drafting a report with any required actions.
- Completion date agreed: Confirming a completion date between parties and choosing a date.
- Contracts exchanged: Exchanging contracts between parties and paying the deposit.
- Final checks: Carrying out last-minute checks, such as verifying remaining funds and ensuring all documents are correctly signed.
- Completion day: Transferring the remaining funds and handling all payments while you collect the keys.
- Post-completion: Registering your new ownership with the Land Registry and paying Stamp Duty (if required).
For more in-depth information, take a look at our Complete Timeline of Buying a House with a Solicitor.
How long does the conveyancing timeline typically take?
On average, the conveyancing process can take anywhere between 4 and 5 months. However, it’s important to note that timelines can vary depending on your unique circumstances, the complexity of the purchase, and any subsequent delays.
At ONP, we’re proud to be online conveyancing solicitors, meaning we can keep you updated every step of the way via our app, case tracker, or phone. We update everything online as soon as possible, so you can stay updated wherever you are.
Get a quote from our conveyancing solicitors today
At ONP Solicitors, our conveyancers understand how important buying your first home is. We’ve been there ourselves, and combine decades of legal expertise with clear communication to make your buying process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
If you’ve had your offer accepted and you’re ready to begin the process, contact our team for a no-obligation conveyancing quote today. We’ll get you moved into your first home with confidence.
For more helpful guidance, you can also explore our Everything you need to know about moving house section.
