Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Leicester

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in Leicester?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Leicester property market. Leicester has a diverse range of property types, from Victorian terraces in Clarendon Park to modern flats in the city centre, so a solicitor with local knowledge can provide invaluable insights into typical issues, such as conservation area restrictions or flood risks in certain districts.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services. Reputable firms in Leicester should provide a clear breakdown of their charges, including any disbursements like Land Registry fees or local authority searches.

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 Leicester, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide added value through their familiarity with Leicester City Council procedures, knowledge of upcoming local developments, or experience with particular estate agents and surveyors in the area.

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 Leicester 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 (including local authority searches relevant to the Leicester City Council), handle contracts, and advise on Leicester's property laws to facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership. This local insight can be especially valuable in areas like Abbey Meadows along the River Soar that may need Flood risk searches, or areas like Clarendon Park or the West End that may need HMO licensing and planning compliance.

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 as they will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to complete a property transaction. Leicester solicitors bring essential expertise in local property issues, ensure contracts are accurately handled, and are familiar with potential pitfalls in the local market. 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 Leicester property market. Even if they are not based locally, they should demonstrate a clear understanding of the local landscape, such as knowledge of neighbourhoods like Aylestone, Stoneygate, or Belgrave, and be able to guide you through any location-specific issues that might arise during your transaction.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements (such as Land Registry fees, local authority searches from Leicester City Council), 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 can be a valuable safety net in Leicester’s competitive housing market. It 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 Leicester?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Leicester. While there are differences in their background and training, both will carry out the conveyancing process in much the same way, so the choice comes down to your personal 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.

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists who have specifically been trained in property law and this is their sole focus.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Leicester 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, giving you peace of mind whether you’re dealing with a local firm in Clarendon Park, Beaumont Leys, or Thurmaston.

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 ultimately you should choose a Leicester conveyancer based on what they offer in terms of local expertise, fee transparency, and client support, factors that directly impact the success and ease of your move.