Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Hampshire

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in Hampshire?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Hampshire property market. Hampshire includes a mix of urban and rural areas, from vibrant cities like Southampton and Winchester to more rural towns such as Alton and Lymington, so local knowledge can be particularly valuable in navigating different planning regulations and market dynamics.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services—some firms in Hampshire may offer fixed-fee packages, while others might charge based on property value or complexity of the transaction.

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 Hampshire, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide additional insights into the Hampshire property market, including regional price trends, local authority searches, flood risk zones (particularly relevant in coastal areas like Portsmouth), and any common issues with specific developments or estates.

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. Early engagement helps avoid delays once an offer is accepted.

How do Hampshire 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, handle contracts, and advise on Hampshire County Council's property laws (or those of your district council, e.g. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Eastleigh Borough Council or New Forest District Council), such as conservation areas in places like the New Forest or building restrictions in heritage towns like Winchester, 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. These costs may vary depending on the complexity of your property transaction and whether the property is leasehold or freehold.

Your money is protected when you use a conveyancer. Hampshire conveyancing solicitors, like all UK-registered practitioners, must hold client funds in separate, regulated accounts to ensure both security and compliance with industry standards.

It is possible to do your own conveyancing, if you are a cash buyer, however, it is advisable always to use a conveyancing solicitor (especially in locations like Hampshire where local planning rules, flood risks in areas such as Fareham or coastal parts of Southampton, and leasehold regulations can be complex) as they will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to complete a property transaction. Hiring a conveyancer minimises the risk that something will go wrong, and your purchase will not go through.

What questions should I ask my conveyancer?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the Hampshire property market. Even if they are not based locally, they should be familiar with the local market conditions, council procedures, and any unique factors relevant to specific areas, such as the New Forest’s conservation restrictions, marine and tidal restrictions on properties near harbours or riverbanks (e.g., Hamble, Itchen, Lymington), or heritage listing issues in historic cities like Winchester.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements (e.g., local authority searches, Land Registry fees), 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. This is especially important if you're buying in a competitive Hampshire market, such as Southampton or Basingstoke, where transaction timing can be critical. 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, 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 Hampshire?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Hampshire. 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 your transaction in Hampshire involves more complex legal issues, such as divorce proceedings or disputes over property boundaries.

Licensed Conveyancers, on the other hand, are specialists in property law only. Their training is entirely focused on the legal aspects of buying, selling, or remortgaging property.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Hampshire 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, offering reassurance wherever you're moving within Hampshire, whether it's bustling Southampton, coastal Gosport, historic Winchester, or the scenic New Forest area.

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 based on what they can offer you that best suits your move to Hampshire, including familiarity with local authority procedures, flood risk zones, and conservation regulations.