Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Kent

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in Kent?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Kent property market. This is particularly important in Kent, where the property landscape includes everything from coastal homes and countryside cottages to suburban and commuter town properties. A solicitor familiar with the local market will better understand regional considerations such as flood risks, conservation areas, and local planning regulations. It is also 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 that 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 Kent, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide additional insights into the Kent property market, such as Land Registry anomalies in rural and unregistered land areas (common for older countryside properties).

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 Kent 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 Kent's property laws, which can vary depending on the borough or district (e.g., Canterbury, Maidstone, or Medway), 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. Costs may vary depending on the property’s value, whether it is leasehold or freehold, and any local complexities specific to Kent (such as coastal property risks in Margate, Broadstairs & Ramsgate, or conservation areas around Canterbury).

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. Property transactions in Kent can involve region-specific challenges, such as flood zone considerations, development restrictions in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or listed building regulations. A qualified conveyancing solicitor brings expertise, risk mitigation, and peace of mind, helping to ensure that your transaction proceeds without delays or legal complications.

What questions should I ask my property solicitor?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the Kent property market. Even if they are not based locally, they should be able to effectively help you navigate your purchase in Kent, such as conservation area restrictions, flood risk zones (particularly along the Medway or coastal areas), and any planning quirks associated with Kent’s various borough councils.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements (such as searches and 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. Typically, conveyancing takes 8-12 weeks, but this can vary based on local council search times, chain complexity, and property type (e.g., leasehold flats in towns like Tunbridge Wells may take longer). 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 Kent?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Kent. 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. If you think you might need legal help beyond the property transaction, such as dealing with inheritance, wills, or disputes, a solicitor may be a suitable choice.

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists that have specifically been trained in property law and this is their sole focus, making them efficient and highly experienced in dealing with the day-to-day legal processes specific to conveyancing.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Kent 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 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. Either way, ensure your chosen firm has experience with the Kent property market. Local knowledge can be a valuable asset, particularly in areas with unique challenges such as coastal properties, flood zones, or planning regulations related to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which are common in parts of Kent like the North Downs or High Weald.