What does a conveyancer do?

If you’re in the process of buying or selling a house, you’ve probably been advised by an estate agent to instruct a conveyancer for the conveyancing of your property. But you’re probably asking yourself, what exactly does a conveyancer do?

Conveyancing itself involves the legal process that must occur for the sale and purchase of property. A conveyancer will deal with all aspects of your property purchase or sale, including title deeds, mortgages, contracts and transferring the money. They play an incredibly important role in the completion of your transaction so it is important to work with a conveyancer who you trust to do the job well.

Before choosing the right conveyancer for you, it is important to know what their role is and where you can find reputable and trusted conveyancing.

Who is a Conveyancer?

When searching for an individual to complete the conveyancing on your property you may come across multiple terms. These could include, conveyancer, solicitor and conveyancing solicitor. You’re probably wondering what the difference between each of these people are.

Typically, all these terms will refer to the same person. Any of these people can perform the legal processes properly in order to complete the purchase or sale of a property. The differences in their title comes from their own preference or the alternative services they provide. If you hire a solicitor who is a member of a law firm, they likely wouldn’t call themselves a conveyancing solicitor because they will practice other areas of law. On the other hand, an individual may call themselves a conveyancer if they are dedicated to the completion of conveyancing cases only. They will work for a conveyancing firm, rather than a general law firm. Each of these individuals are able to provide a high-quality service for your conveyancing, they won’t make a difference to how the process is completed.

What does a Conveyancer do?

A Conveyancer’s main role is to complete legal tasks that are essential for the transaction of property. You hire a conveyancer to complete the conveyancing on your behalf. This individual should work in your favour to protect your best interests throughout multiple stages of the conveyancing process. This includes:

  • Completing all necessary legal paperwork

There are specific checks and searches that must be performed in order to officially complete the conveyancing process. It is your conveyancer’s role to gather the relevant information and complete or arrange for certain searches. They will ensure you are aware of any result that might affect your property sale or purchase.

Any surveys that are also completed during the conveyancing process can have an impact on the outcome of the transaction. For example, the survey could reveal a problem which means you don’t purchase the property as planned. It’s important to let your conveyancer know of any completed surveys as soon as possible so they can take them into consideration and discuss them with you moving forward.

  • Drafting the exchange contract

One of the most prominent roles your conveyancer will play during the transaction is the preparation of the Exchange Contract. This should be written in accordance to your purchase and will include all legal requirements that will be agreed between buyer and seller. They should take your wishes into account by including all the important clauses that are essential to the successful exchange of property.

Before completing your transaction, you may also receive a draft of the contract from your conveyancer. This is to ensure that all information included in the final document is correct and complete. You should carefully review this draft before signing it to ensure it accurately represents your intentions. Your conveyancer should help you to thoroughly understand this document.

  • Paying SLDT and registering your property after sale

After completing the exchange of contracts your conveyancer will continue to be involved until the sale is complete. The next step in the process is usually for you to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax. This fee must be paid before registration can take place, so it is vital that all payments are made on time. A conveyancer can help you to organise this payment and will complete the registration of your property.

Final Thoughts

Conveyancing is a necessary step for all property transactions. An individual or conveyancing firm can assist you during the process by ensuring that legal requirements are completed and your interests are protected. Hiring a solicitor or conveyancer shouldn’t be taken lightly, as they will play a significant role in the successful completion of your transaction. Ensure you complete your research and choose the right conveyancer for you.

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