TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONVEYANCER

In an industry that has a reputation for providing both a slow and expensive service, finding a conveyancing solicitor that offers a reliable, efficient and personal service, and all at a reasonable cost, is quite a challenge when buying and selling a property.

With no official regulations in place to stop unscrupulous operators in the conveyancing market, it is vital that consumers are aware of what to watch out for. MTA believes that regulatory standards should be set that are transparent and fair. This guide sets out to give consumers peace of mind when selecting a conveyancing solicitor for a property purchase or sale.

Be 100% sure on the final price

If a service is advertised at a ‘fixed-fee’ make sure it is just that. There shouldn’t be any hidden extras, such as shared ownership fees, mortgage fees and stamp duty fees – they should all be transparent in the price.

Check before you sign on the dotted line

Only sign up to a service when you have seen in writing, what the final fee will be. If you choose to dis-instruct a solicitor at a later date when the transaction has started, you will become liable for the fees incurred.

Expect a personal service

You are making one of the biggest purchases of your life and with that in mind you should expect a first class personal service. You should have one to one access to a qualified conveyancing solicitor. Be wary of services that can’t offer you a one to one contact. If you are communicating with someone over the phone or Internet ensure that they are a fully qualified conveyancer by asking for and obtaining proof from them.

Get a fair price

By all means shop around, but be aware that obtaining the cheapest possible price doesn’t always buy you good service. The price must be transparent, whether shopping on the internet of taking a recommendation from your estate agent. Making the right enquires up front will save you money in the long run and hopefully secure you the service you deserve.

Be realistic

You need to be savvy in this competitive market, and make a decision based on quality of service as well as price. Realistically, fees should be around £500 for an average house in order to secure the services of a top quality conveyancer. Doing this will reduce the chance of a deal falling through and make sure the process is as stress-free as possible.