If you are buying or selling a property, the answer to the question “when to appoint a conveyancing solicitor” can be a crucial one. You are likely to want the transaction to go through as soon as possible so that you can settle into your new home without delay. There are a number of steps you can take to avoid unnecessary hold-ups and one of the most important is making sure that you appoint a solicitor in plenty of time and as close to the beginning of the process as possible.

We take a look at when to appoint a conveyancing solicitor and how to work with them to get your sale or purchase off to the best possible start.

What to look for when instructing a conveyancing solicitor

The first step is to select a conveyancing solicitor. It is important to choose carefully because some conveyancers will be more proactive and efficient than others and this can make a big difference in how quickly your transaction will be completed.

Look for a well-established firm with extensive experience, as this can make a big difference if difficulties arise. Solicitors with in-depth understanding of property law and conveyancing will be able to tackle problems efficiently and work to resolve matters without delay. If an issue is not dealt with swiftly, there is a risk that other parties in the chain could pull out, so having a knowledgeable expert representing you can be the difference between success and failure of your sale or purchase.

Friends and family may be able to recommend solicitors that they used and found to be effective. At Lockings Solicitors, we frequently receive referrals from satisfied clients as well as repeat business. Testimonials can also help you decide whether a firm will be a good fit for your needs. To see what some of our clients have said about us, see here.

It is useful to know from the start how much the costs involved will be. If you ask us to represent you, our team will provide you with an all-inclusive quote upfront so that you can avoid surprises later on. We also offer a no-sale, no-fee guarantee, meaning you will not have to pay us anything, should your sale fall through for any reason. For more information please get in touch for a free no obligation quote or download our free guide to conveyancing fees.  

If you are likely to want to visit your solicitors’ offices, either to sign paperwork, drop off documents or for help with the process, such as form-filling or dealing with verification of your identity, you may prefer to choose a local law firm. With offices in Beverley, Hull and York, we have clients attending our offices from much of East Yorkshire and although we have a secure online portal which many of our clients find very convenient and easy we are always happy to accommodate the needs of those wishing to see us in person.

If you would like to discuss appointing one of our conveyancing solicitors, ring us on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we will call you back promptly for a FREE initial chat.

How to appoint a solicitor?

If you want to complete as soon as possible, then by appointing a solicitor early on in the process, you could save a substantial amount of time.

When you instruct a solicitor, they are required by law to carry out identity checks before they do any work on your behalf. By asking them to open a file for you well before you are likely to want them to start work, you can be sure that as soon as you have a buyer in place or your offer is accepted, they will be ready to go.

If you are selling a property, then think about approaching a solicitor as soon as your property goes on the market. If you are buying, then once you start actively looking, you can also start looking for the right solicitor.

Your solicitor will let you know precisely what you need to do to appoint them to handle your property purchase or sale for them.

What does my conveyancer need to do early on in the transaction?

By law, your solicitor is required to carry out a number of checks, both in respect of you and the source of your money. This is to reduce the risk of crimes such as fraud and money laundering.

Your solicitor is firstly required to establish your identity. This means that you will have to provide valid identity documents such as your passport or driving licence as well as a secondary form of identity that shows your address such as an up-to-date council tax bill or utility bill, a recent letter from HMRC or a bank statement.

They will then carry out checks using an ID-checking service. You may be required to provide more information in certain circumstances, including where:

• You have not lived at your address for a full year
• You do not pay UK tax
• You are not on the electoral roll
• You do not live in the UK

If you are buying a property, your solicitor will also need to verify where the money you will be using came from. This is called a source of funds check and is required under anti-money laundering legislation.

Depending on where your funds have come from, you will need to provide documentation by way of evidence.

For savings, you will need to show regular deposits from your salary being made into your savings account by providing bank statements covering at least six months.

If you have sold a property, then you will need to provide the completion statement and a copy of your bank statement showing receipt of the money on completion.

If the money is being gifted to you by a relative, then there is an additional process to be gone through. As well as your relative needing to prove their identity and the source of funds, they will also need to sign a gifted deposit declaration setting out the terms on which the gift is given. This will also need to be cleared with your mortgage lender.

All of these points can take time, particularly if queries arise, so it can be very helpful if you want a swift transaction to carry them out early on so that this part of the process can be ticked off of the list.

Contact our conveyancing solicitors in East Yorkshire

If you are thinking of buying or selling a property and you would like to discuss instructing one of our expert East Yorkshire conveyancing solicitors, we would be happy to hear from you.  We deal with a full range of property transactions and can provide an estimate of the costs as well as answering any initial questions you may have.

If you would like to speak to one of our property team, ring us on 01482 300 200, email us at welcome@lockings.co.uk or fill in our contact form and we will call you back promptly for a FREE initial chat.