When you’re on the move, it’s vital that you take care of the legal aspects of moving home but with so much to remember, it can get confusing at times. It can help to have the right property professionals in place so that you are not left waiting around.  

Is there a difference between conveyancers and solicitors?  

Often, the difference between solicitors and conveyancers comes down to their level of training, however both can achieve similar results. A conveyancing solicitor is a qualified lawyer whose expertise is in dealing with clients who buy and sell property. A solicitor will be trained in other aspects of the law, whereas a conveyancer specialises in the buying and selling of property. A solicitor will be able to help you with other legal matters if required, such as cohabiting agreements.  

What do conveyancers or solicitors do?  

Solicitors and conveyancers take care of the legal part of transferring a property from a seller to a buyer and this is called the conveyancing process. A solicitor or conveyancer can take care of the following:  

• Preparing contracts for the exchange of contracts and assisting in the negotiation of any details.
• Checking the land registry to define what is included in the sale.
• Taking care of local council matters such as land registry searches, water and drainage searches, environmental searches, and local authority searches
• Offer legal guidance
• Prepare the transfer of funds from the new owners to the seller

What does a surveyor do?  

A surveyor conducts a survey on a property by checking it for any defects or issues. They will inspect a house and carry out visual checks. Through doing this, they will produce a report on its condition and other basic information such as the type of property it is, when it was built, the number of rooms and the property’s EPC rating.  

More in-depth surveys

There are more in-depth levels of surveys, such as a HomeBuyers report, which checks things like the construction and condition of the property or potential issues that need further investigation. A Building Survey will check for structural elements and is useful if the property has had a high level of structural modification or a previous report has recommended further investigation.  

Who instructs the surveyor?

Homebuyers typically arrange a house survey. It’s worth noting that they are not a legal requirement but could save you thousands by discovering hidden issues, which could help in negotiations, and more often than not, they give you peace of mind that you won’t run into any nasty surprises.  

A house survey is different from a mortgage lender’s valuation  

It's worth noting that if you are buying with a mortgage, your mortgage provider will carry out a valuation. They do this to verify that the property is valued correctly. This is not the same as a home survey.  

Your agent can help  

Finding the right property professionals is not always easy. Good agents can often connect you with the right people, such as conveyancers or solicitors. When it comes to getting a mortgage, most now have in-house mortgage advisors. But the choice as to whether you use their services is entirely yours.