Solicitors.

What type?

When purchasing a property there are two types who can help you.

• A solicitor who specialises in property law. This can be residential or commercial.

• A licensed conveyance which is a "lawyer" trained in property law but who is not a qualified solicitor.

Much of the actual administrative work involved in the transfer of property deeds may be undertaken by someone without a licence, under the supervision of a solicitor they are known as a conveyance.

What will it cost me?

Buying a solicitor's time can be expensive.

• Some may choose to charge you a percentage of the property value.

• Most will just charge you a fee which covers time, administrative costs and tax.

• As a general rule buying a property will cost you anything from £800 to £1200 in legal fees.

• This seems a lot, but put it into context with the value of the property you are purchasing.

It is money well spent when you consider the hassle and the possibility that if you missed a vital detail in the legal process you could lose much of the money you invested in your property.

Do I need a Lawyer?

It is no longer essential to employ the services of a solicitor in the conveyancing of a property. There are several resources individuals can use to assist them including the internet. However ukpropertyclub always recommend that you use the assistance of a professional.

• The conveyancing process can be long winded and complicated.

• The risk of getting cheated or missing a vital detail.

• The seller can take you to court if you breach your contract.

• Sellers are not legally obliged to inform the purchaser of any problems with the property. Therefore it is important all searches relating to potential problems are exhaustive.

What will a Solicitor do for me ?

One of the main jobs a solicitor carries out for you as a buyer is Conveyancing. Conveyancing is the transfer of the legal title of a property from one person to another; the legal aspect of buying or selling a house.

As it is crucial the title being transferred is legitimate, conveyancing involves carrying out searches relating to the prospective property. These searches include checks such as ensuring the site is occupied legally, that the property is not threatened by any redevelopments in the area, and that it is not subject to compulsory purchase orders.

Conveyancing also involves duties such as drafting a contract to set out the terms of the purchase of the property and the exchange of mortgage information. I England and Wales, property titles cannot be transferred until contracts have been exchanged, so this is an essential part of the process, However, in Scotland ,once an offer for the purchase of a property has been accepted, the agreement is legally binding, where as in England and Wales this is not the case; consequently the contractual stage of the transaction is not so crucial in Scotland

Finding a Solicitor

• Click here to view a selection of Solicitors from our providers directory.