Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Cambridge

How do I choose a good solicitor in Cambridge?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Cambridge property market. Cambridge has a unique mix of historic and new-build properties, student lets, and academic institutions, so it's beneficial to find someone who understands the nuances of this locality.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services. Reputable firms will provide a clear breakdown of their costs with no hidden extras.

Make sure the conveyancers you are considering are fully accredited, either by the CLC or SRA.

You can contact them through their website, phone, or visit their office. Many will offer an initial consultation to discuss your conveyancing needs.

It’s also helpful to select a conveyancing solicitor who is already on the panel of approved firms set by your chosen mortgage lender, as this will help things go quicker. You can check your lender’s website or ask them directly to find out if your conveyancer is on their panel.

While it’s not essential to use a solicitor based in Cambridge, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide additional insights into the Cambridge property market. They may have deeper insights into local planning laws (e.g. Green Belt and planning restrictions on properties on the city's edges, particularly in South Cambridgeshire., conservation areas in central Cambridge and parts of Newnham, Madingley Road, and Mill Road, and common issues with older properties often found in the city.

You should engage a conveyancer as you start looking for a property or before you list one for sale, to ensure all legal aspects are promptly addressed.

How do Cambridge conveyancers work?

It is a conveyancer’s job to act on your behalf, managing the legal aspects of property transactions and administrative work associated with transferring the ownership of a property from one person to another. Their specific duties will depend on whether you're buying, selling, or both, and their goal is to ensure a legally sound, smooth transaction.

Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct conveyancing searches (crucial in a city like Cambridge that has numerous conservation areas and listed buildings), handle contracts, and advise on Cambridge City Council's property laws and local regulations, including restrictions related to heritage properties and academic leases, to facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership.

According to reallymoving data, the average cost of conveyancing fees is around £2,368, including fees and disbursements. For a First Time Buyer, the average cost is £1,478.

Your money is protected when you use a conveyancer. Conveyancing solicitors must hold client funds in separate accounts, ensuring security and compliance with regulatory standards.

It is possible to do your own conveyancing, if you are a cash buyer, however it is advisable to always use a conveyancing solicitor. Given the city’s complex property types and legal considerations, professional guidance helps prevent costly errors or delays. A solicitor brings not only legal expertise but also valuable insights into the Cambridge housing landscape, including trends, common pitfalls, and local authority requirements. Hiring a conveyancer minimises the risk that something will go wrong, and your purchase will not go through.

What questions should I ask my solicitor?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the Cambridge property market. Even if they’re not physically based in the city, they should be familiar with local planning issues, common transaction delays, and area-specific searches (especially given the numerous conservation zones and listed properties in central Cambridge and parts of Newnham, Madingley Road, and Mill Road).

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements (e.g., local authority searches), expenses and Stamp Duty.

Ask about the timeline for how long the conveyancing process will take, and how they plan to communicate updates to you. Typically, conveyancing takes 8-12 weeks, and your conveyancer will need your input to fill out forms and provide documents throughout the process. They should be available to contact whenever you need to ask questions or request updates.

In a competitive and fast-moving market like Cambridge, transactions can sometimes fall through. You therefore may want to see if they offer no sale, no fee agreements. This means you will not have to pay the conveyancing fees if the purchase falls through, but you may still have to cover the cost of disbursements.

Make sure they are part of a regulated professional body and are approved on your chosen mortgage lender’s conveyancing panel. All conveyancers/ conveyancing solicitors on reallymoving are regulated by the SRA or CLC.

Is it better to use a solicitor or conveyancer in Cambridge?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Cambridge. There are differences between the two, but both will perform your property sale or purchase in the same way, so who you decide to use is up to you.

Conveyancing solicitors will have been trained in a variety of legal fields, ranging from family law through to litigation or criminal law. They have then chosen to specialise in property law. This broader legal knowledge can be useful if your property transaction in Cambridge is tied to other legal matters, such as divorce or inheritance.

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists who have specifically been trained in property law and this is their sole focus. This can be beneficial for straightforward transactions, especially in a dynamic market like Cambridge, where academic leases, shared ownerships, and historic building restrictions can sometimes add complexity.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Cambridge market must be registered with the Law Society and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), whereas Licensed Conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

Both regulatory bodies maintain public registers, allowing you to verify whether a professional or firm is properly accredited and authorised to carry out conveyancing in Cambridge. All property solicitors and conveyancers quoted by reallymoving are regulated by one of these bodies. 

Your decision about whether to use a solicitor or conveyancer may come down to whether you prefer to have someone with expertise in other legal fields you may need help with, or someone trained specifically in property law. Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with the complexity of your move, the level of service you want, and how well the firm understands the Cambridge property landscape.