Best Conveyancing Solicitors in East London

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in East London?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the East London property market. This area includes diverse and rapidly changing neighbourhoods like Stratford, Hackney, Bow, and Walthamstow, each with their own unique legal nuances and planning regulations, so local insight can be very valuable. 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. Some local firms may even provide walk-in services or have multilingual support reflecting East London’s diverse communities.

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 East London, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor can offer in-depth knowledge of issues such as leasehold arrangements common in East London developments, regeneration zones, or restrictions in conservation areas.

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 East London 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 tasks will vary depending on whether you are buying, selling or both.

Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct conveyancing searches, handle contracts, and advise on the property laws of your local East London council (e.g. Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge) to facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership. This may include insights into areas undergoing regeneration (such as Stratford or the Royal Docks), new build leasehold agreements, or properties within conservation zones like Victoria Park or parts of Hackney.

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 will depend on the complexity of the transaction and whether the property is leasehold or freehold, something particularly relevant in East London, where leaseholds are common in flats and new developments.

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, particularly in East London where property transactions can be complex. A solicitor with local expertise will know how to navigate the unique legal, structural, and planning considerations common to the area, helping ensure that your transaction proceeds smoothly and with minimal risk.

What questions should I ask my conveyancing solicitor?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the East London property market.  Even if they’re not physically based in East London, a good conveyancer should be familiar with the area’s unique property landscape. This includes factors like leasehold flats in new developments (such as those in Stratford or Canary Wharf), flood risk searches in low-lying areas near the Thames, River Lea, and Royal Docks, and local authority procedures that can vary between boroughs like Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Newham.

Be sure to ask about their fees and what’s included, not just their base legal fee, but also disbursements (like search fees, Land Registry charges, and bank transfer costs) and Stamp Duty. Getting a full breakdown will help you avoid unexpected costs.

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. With East London's fast-paced property market, regular communication is key to staying ahead of any potential delays.

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, but you may still have to cover the cost of disbursements. This can be especially valuable in East London, where competitive bidding and high demand sometimes result in sales falling through.

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 East London?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in East London. 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 background may be useful if you anticipate needing advice in areas beyond the property transaction.

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists who have specifically been trained in property law and this is their sole focus. This dedicated expertise can be particularly beneficial in East London, where local knowledge and experience with leasehold flats, new build developments, and shared ownership schemes are often crucial for a smooth transaction.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the East London 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. But you should ultimately choose a conveyancing firm that is responsive, transparent about fees, and experienced in handling transactions specific to East London's diverse and fast-paced property market.