One of the most frustrating aspects of buying or selling a property is not hearing from your conveyancing solicitors for days or weeks.
If so, now is the time to look into ways of expediting your conveyancing process. Read on for some of our top tips for doing just that!
1. Communicate with Your Solicitor Regularly
Buying a home is an enormous commitment and can be stressful. To guarantee everything goes as planned, communicate regularly with your conveyancing solicitor.
Getting help with buying or selling a property makes the process run more efficiently, and avoid any unpleasant situations or legal battles in the future. A trustworthy conveyancer will look out for any defects or issues with the property that could affect you in the long run, as well as verify that all title deeds are correct.
Your conveyancer will assemble the ‘Contract Pack,’ which contains the draft sale contract and seller’s property information form(s). They also assist in determining if you must pay Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Furthermore, your solicitor will assist with any legal queries and organize all relevant property searches, forms and surveys. Once these are finished, your solicitor will exchange contracts to finalize the sale for you.
It’s essential to be patient and flexible during this process, as it may take some time. Be prepared to wait after the sale is completed before your keys are released, and ensure everyone in your chain agrees on a completion date (usually one to four weeks after exchanging contracts).
Another essential part of your conveyancer’s role is to confirm whether the property you’re purchasing is freehold or leasehold. The former means you own the land where the house stands, while leasehold means someone else owns it – so double-check its length before agreeing to buy.
If you are purchasing a leasehold property, your conveyancer will create a Leasehold Information Form or TA7 Form. This will include the amount of ground rent and maintenance fees that must be paid as well as contact info for either the freeholder or management company.
Your conveyancer will collaborate with your mortgage lender to ensure there are no extra fees and the transfer of funds goes as smoothly as possible. They will pay Stamp Duty on your behalf and send all necessary legal documents to the Land Registry, confirming that you have now become the owner of your new home.
2. Ask Your Solicitor Questions
Speeding up the conveyancing process can be done, and one of the simplest methods is asking your solicitor questions. Doing this gives you insight into their knowledge about your case and whether they’ll be able to successfully handle it.
You can also ask your solicitor if they have any previous experience handling similar cases and how knowledgeable they are about property law. For instance, if you’re purchasing a new-build home or leasehold property, it might be beneficial to hire a solicitor who has previously dealt with these types of properties.
Another essential question to ask your solicitor is how long the conveyancing process will take. Depending on individual circumstances, this may differ and so it’s always wise to get an estimate before starting any work.
When choosing a solicitor, it’s essential to decide how often they will contact you. Make it known to them whether you require regular updates or just notification when major milestones take place.
If you are having issues with your solicitor, such as a delay in the conveyancing process, it is essential to communicate the issue to them so they can take steps towards resolution. Doing this will allow the process to be completed faster and without any unnecessary delays – potentially saving you money in the long run.
When selecting your conveyancer, make sure they are members of a professional body and if possible opt for one with membership in the Law Society. This will guarantee they are qualified and possess the expertise to manage your matter efficiently, giving you peace of mind.
Additionally, you should confirm if your solicitor is a member of a redress scheme so that if they fail to do their job adequately, you can file a complaint. These organizations can assist in rectifying the problem and potentially sueing them if negligence exists.
Finally, make sure your solicitor is a member of both the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). These two bodies oversee legal professionals in the UK, and both have strict codes of conduct that you can trust.
3. Be Honest With Your Solicitor
When purchasing a house, the process can take months to complete. Your conveyancing solicitor plays an integral role in transferring ownership from the seller to you and registering your purchase with the land registry. They ensure everything runs smoothly throughout this crucial step.
It is imperative that you be honest with your conveyancing solicitors and supply them with all relevant information in order to move your transaction along quickly. Not only does this give you peace of mind, but it can also expedite the process itself.
Honesty with your lawyer can help ensure they do not make any errors during the transaction which could cause issues in the future. This includes noting any building restrictions or other issues that need to be addressed.
Be honest with your conveyancing solicitors by discussing any concerns you have as soon as you become aware of them. Furthermore, ask them to keep you updated throughout the transaction so that you know your worries are being taken care of and the transaction proceeds quickly.
No matter how frustrating the situation may appear, always be honest with your solicitors when there’s anything that may need addressing. Doing so will make them more likely to find a solution and prevent future issues from cropping up.
One of the primary issues clients experience with their conveyancing solicitors is a lack of communication and information. This may be due to either the legal company not finishing their work on time, or there being an issue with someone in the chain – such as the seller – not depositing required funds.
If you’re uncertain of your next steps in this situation, reach out to your solicitor’s practice manager and express your worries. Doing this can often lead to changes within the firm, so if there are any concerns about their speed of work or how they handle you, do this immediately rather than waiting.
4. Ask Your Solicitor for Help
When buying or selling a home, the process can often feel like an emotional rollercoaster ride. There’s the thrill of finding your new place, the excitement of seeing its potential buyers or sellers on the market, and then there is also frustration when the conveyancing takes too long to complete.
Conveyancing can take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case. However, it may take longer if you’re involved in a sales chain or purchasing an off-plan property.
If you’re feeling impatient with the speed of your conveyancing solicitors, it may be time to reach out and request help. In many cases, all that is required is a gentle push in order for them to make progress on your file.
One way to manage this is by reaching out to your legal company and asking them for a weekly update on the progress of your case. Doing this will guarantee that you stay informed on any important developments, which can be an invaluable help in expediting things along.
Another way to make your lawyer’s job harder is by asking them to contact other parties involved in your conveyancing, such as the freeholder or management company. This could involve submitting a leasehold information request which is often legal requirement, or it could simply be that the freeholder or management company hasn’t been communicating with your solicitor.
Asking your solicitor if they have any experience with similar types of cases can be beneficial, as you’ll know if they comprehend the process and potential pitfalls.
Selecting the correct solicitor is essential for expediting your conveyancing process. Be sure they’re members of professional organizations such as the Law Society and Council of Licensed Conveyancers before appointing them.
Accelerating the conveyancing process with your solicitor is not always straightforward, but it is possible. You just need to know how to go about it.
