Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Cambridgeshire

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in Cambridgeshire?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Cambridgeshire property market. This region includes a mix of bustling city life in Cambridge, historic market towns like Ely and Huntingdon, and rural villages, so local expertise can make a difference, especially when it comes to planning regulations, conservation areas, and common property types in the area.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services.

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 Cambridgeshire, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may offer valuable insights into things like flood risks in Fenland areas, new housing developments around Cambridge, or specific council search timeframes within Cambridgeshire’s various district councils.

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 Cambridgeshire property solicitors 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 tasks will vary depending on whether you are buying, selling or both.

Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct conveyancing searches (such as local authority, drainage, and environmental searches), handle contracts, and advise on Cambridgeshire County Council's property laws and local planning policies. Their understanding of local considerations, like flood risk in the Fens, Green Belt constraints, or conservation areas in historic towns such as Cambridge and Ely, can help prevent unforeseen complications.

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. Prices may vary depending on whether the property is leasehold or freehold, and based on specific regional factors in Cambridgeshire.

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 as they will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to complete a property transaction. Cambridgeshire's property landscape includes a mix of modern developments and historic properties with potential complexities like listed building status or restrictive covenants. Hiring a local conveyancing solicitor reduces risk and helps ensure your transaction progresses smoothly and securely.

What questions should I ask my property solicitor?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the Cambridgeshire property market. Even if the solicitor isn’t physically based in the region, they should demonstrate familiarity with local planning rules, common property types, and specific areas like Cambridge, Ely, or Huntingdon, which may have unique challenges such as conservation restrictions or flood risk zones.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements (such as local searches from Cambridgeshire's various district councils), 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.

You 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. However, be aware that you might still need to pay for third-party disbursements (e.g., local authority search fees in South Cambridgeshire or Fenland).

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 Cambridgeshire?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Cambridgeshire. While there are subtle differences between the two professions, both are fully qualified to carry out the legal work involved in buying or selling a home in this region. The right choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.

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. If you foresee needing legal assistance beyond your property transaction (e.g., wills or probate), a solicitor might be a good fit.

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists who have specifically been trained in property law. Their focus is entirely on property transactions. 

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Cambridgeshire 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 will have a public register where you can search for an individual or a firm to check if they are regulated. 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.

In the context of Cambridgeshire, where property types range from historic buildings in Cambridge to rural cottages in the Fens, and new developments in areas like Northstowe, either professional should be well equipped, as long as they are familiar with the local market and planning policies.

Ultimately, choose the professional or firm that offers the best combination of expertise, communication, and value for your move within Cambridgeshire.