Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Manchester

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in Manchester?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Manchester property market. The city's diverse housing, from city centre apartments to period terraces in suburbs like Chorlton, Didsbury, and Salford, means local knowledge can be particularly valuable.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services, as Manchester’s market includes both freehold and complex leasehold transactions. Be sure your quote outlines all expected costs clearly, including disbursements and search fees that may be specific to Greater Manchester.

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 Manchester, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide additional insights into the Manchester property market, such as the flood risk zones along the River Irwell.

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 Manchester 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 specific to the area (such as those related to historic mining activity, or local planning applications), handle contracts, liaise with other parties, and provide advice based on Manchester City Council's property laws and common regional practices to ensure 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. Prices in Manchester can vary slightly depending on whether you’re purchasing in the city centre or outlying areas like Sale, Prestwich, or Altrincham.

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. Manchester’s property transactions can involve complex issues such as leasehold management, new-build schemes, or city-centre shared ownership properties Hiring a conveyancer minimises the risk that something will go wrong, and your purchase will not go through.

What questions should I ask my property solicitor?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the Manchester property market. While it's not essential that they are based in Manchester, they should still demonstrate familiarity with the property landscape of the area, including common issues such as leaseholds in city-centre apartments, shared ownership schemes, or historic building restrictions in areas like Castlefield or Ancoats.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements expenses, Stamp Duty and local property searches relevant to Manchester city council or the outlying Salford City Council and Stockport Metropolitan Borough council.

Ask about the timeline for how long the conveyancing process will take, and how they plan to communicate updates to you. In Manchester, conveyancing typically 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.

It’s also worth checking whether 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 by a 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 Manchester?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Manchester. 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. The important thing is choosing a professional who can offer the right expertise and support tailored to Manchester's property regulations. 

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 a property law.

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

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Manchester 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. But you should ultimately choose a conveyancing firm based on what they can offer you that best suits your move to Manchester or surrounding areas like Salford, Old Trafford, or Stockport.