Why do I need a conveyancer when buying a property?

A conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer specialises in buying, selling, or transferring ownership of property or land. This can include work such as investigating the property title, preparing documents, drafting and exchanging contracts, handling Stamp Duty Land Tax returns, and registering new ownership with the Land Registry. Since there are many legal requirements to meet before ownership can officially change, the process can be complex.

What does a conveyancer do when you buy a property?

A conveyancing solicitor or licensed conveyancer is a legally trained person who will:

• Investigate the title to the property by reviewing the contract papers provided by the seller, applying for the relevant conveyancing searches and raising enquiries with the seller’s solicitor.
• Review, negotiate and report on the purchase contract.
• Examine the legal title to establish the seller’s right to sell the property and advising on any matters which may affect the enjoyment or saleability of the property.
• Report to you on our investigation of the title, summarising the legal aspects of your transaction
• Liaise with your mortgage lender to ensure the property is suitable for your lender’s requirements.
• Ensure the property is legally transferred into your name.
• Register any mortgage against the property.

Expert conveyancing solicitors will identify legal issues quickly and any problems can be rectified and communicated properly, so there are no hidden surprises.

How much does a conveyancing solicitor cost?

The cost of conveyancing can vary widely depending on factors such as the property's price, its characteristics, the location, whether you're buying or selling and whether the property is a freehold or leasehold.

For example, purchasing a leasehold flat often involves slightly more legal work, such as reviewing the lease terms and liaising with the freeholder, compared to buying a freehold house.

For individuals needing high value conveyancing services for purchasing prime real estate, such as a luxury London residence, a country estate, or a high-value investment property, additional legal considerations may apply beyond conveyancing advice and often incorporates legal advice from private wealth and commercial teams depending on your circumstances.

Boyes Turner provides a full breakdown of our conveyancing costs. However, we recommend you get in contact with us for a free, tailored quote.

How long does conveyancing take to buy a house?

It is difficult to give a definite timescale at the outset, but a typical property transaction for the purchase of a freehold property can take 6-8 weeks from issuing of contract papers to exchange of contracts. However, this is an average timescale and will be based on there being no chain with any particular moving requirements.

If you are purchasing a leasehold property, the Law Society’s stated average transaction time is 8-12 weeks. This is due to a change in legislation and mortgage lender requirements which means there are many more legal points that will need checking as well as a reliance on management companies and landlords.

How to speed up the property buying process

The biggest delays usually come from paperwork, mortgage approvals or missing documents. Here are some practical steps to keep things moving:

1. Instruct a conveyancer as early as you can – ideally before you make an offer. This gives them time to complete ID checks and prepare.
2. Get a mortgage agreement in principle – using a broker can speed up approvals.
3. Book your survey as soon as possible – early reports help uncover issues quickly.
4. Provide documents promptly – including proof of funds and ID.
5. Keep communication open – regularly update your estate agent, solicitor, and mortgage broker.

Why early instruction of a conveyancer is crucial

It can be time-consuming to provide the necessary anti-money laundering documentation and can often mean some back and forth. Your conveyancer will not be able to commence work until they have all the relevant ‘know your client’ documentation. If you sort this in advance, they can act immediately once your offer is accepted, saving valuable time.

Tips for a smooth property purchase

Make sure you have your property buying team around you and working for you as soon as possible. It goes without saying you should keep the estate agent regularly updated with where you are with your mortgage lender / broker, your surveyor and your solicitor. Good communication will make a huge difference in terms of timing but also stress levels.​​​​