Conveyancing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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- What is Conveyancing?
- Some conveyancing quotes on the internet look very cheap – are they genuine?
- What sort of contact will I have with my Lawyer?
- How long will my purchase / sale take?
- Can we complete my transaction quickly if necessary?
- Will I still be charged if my transaction falls through?
What is Conveyancing?
Conveyancing is simply the legal process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another.
This involves a lawyer carrying out a range of checks in relation to the land and property to ensure that you are informed of all the legal implications of buying the property.
Some conveyancing quotes on the internet look very cheap – are they genuine?
Some firms, particularly when advertising on the internet, appear to offer very low prices. It is important to obtain a written ‘all inclusive’ quote as many of them list a low fee, but hide additional costs in the small print. Norrie Waite & Slater will never do this due to our strict ‘No Hidden Fees’ policy.
We provide clear, honest and transparent pricing and will always quote you for all the standard expenses which you will incur as part of your transaction, based on the information we have at the time.
Some other firms may simply quote you their fee for the legal work, without including standard expenses which have to be paid. Examples of some of these hidden costs to look out for are:
- Additional fees for leasehold properties (many properties in Rotherham are leasehold)
- Fees for completing standard forms, for example the Stamp Duty Land Tax form
- Standard expenses such as the Land Registry fee, which is always payable
- Charges for dealing with mortgage lenders
What type of contact will I have with my Lawyer?
Customer care is our number one priority. When we are working on a transaction for you we will give you the contact details of the lawyer dealing with your work and you will be able to reach them by telephone and email, at your convenience.
You will also be given the contact details of a second person who will cover your case in the case of absence.
How long will my purchase or sale take?
This is probably the most frequently asked question. The answer is that conveyancing timescales can vary considerably, depending on a number of factors.
One critical factor is the length of the chain of other properties on which the transaction is dependent. Usually all of these transactions need to be co-ordinated to take place on the same day.
When you speak to one of our property lawyers, they will assess your situation and give you an estimate of the expected timescale.
Can you complete my transaction quickly if necessary?
We are happy to try and complete quickly where circumstances allow.
However, in most property transactions we will be reliant on a number of other parties such as other lawyers (for example for the buyers of your property, if you are selling) and various other bodies, such as mortgage lenders. Completing quickly will be reliant on everyone involved being willing to work towards a certain timescale.
We will never guarantee a timescale just to get your business, beware of solicitors who do. We also do not charge extra for quick completions.
Will I still be charged if my property transaction falls through?
Unfortunately some housing transactions do fall through before they can be completed.
If this happens to you we will only charge you a proportion of the quoted fee, to cover the work that we have carried out. This cost will therefore depend on the amount of work that has been done. Any expenses already incurred on your behalf will also be payable.
