What Does a Solicitor Do When Buying a House?
When buying a home, there’s plenty to think about – mortgages, surveys, moving dates, and trying to remember where you packed the kettle. But one part of the process many buyers don’t fully understand is the legal side. That’s where a solicitor comes in.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or already on your property journey, having the right solicitor for moving house can make the entire experience far smoother. From checking contracts to handling searches and transferring funds, they play a major role behind the scenes.
So, what does a solicitor do when buying a house, and why are they so important? Here’s everything you need to know!
What Is a Solicitor?
A solicitor is a qualified legal professional who manages the legal process of buying a house. Their role is to make sure the property transaction is legally sound, the paperwork is accurate, and there are no hidden surprises attached to the home you’re buying.
In property transactions, solicitors deal with a process known as conveyancing. This covers all the legal work involved in transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. Put simply: while you focus on choosing paint colours and measuring up sofas, your solicitor handles the legal side of the move.
What is the Role of a Solicitor When Buying a House?
The role of a solicitor begins shortly after your offer has been accepted and continues right through to completion day.
A solicitor will typically:
- Review contracts from the seller
- Carry out legal property searches
- Check ownership rights and boundaries
- Liaise with your mortgage lender
- Handle deposits and transfer funds
- Exchange contracts
- Register ownership with the Land Registry
This stage of the legal process of buying a house is designed to protect you as the buyer.
For example, your solicitor will investigate whether there are restrictions affecting the property, unresolved disputes, or planned developments nearby that could impact your decision. Without a solicitor or conveyancer, important legal details could easily go unnoticed.
What Searches Does a Solicitor Do When Buying a House?
One of the most important parts of conveyancing is carrying out property searches. If you’ve ever wondered what searches a solicitor does when buying a house, they usually include:
Local Authority Searches
These reveal nearby planning applications, road schemes, traffic projects, and other local developments that could affect the property.
Environmental Searches
These identify risks such as flooding, land contamination, subsidence, or ground stability concerns.
Water and Drainage Searches
These confirm the property is connected to mains water and sewer systems.
Land Registry Checks
These verify legal ownership, boundaries, and whether there are restrictions attached to the property.
For new build homes, solicitors may also investigate warranties, planning agreements, and whether roads and drainage systems will eventually be adopted by the local authority.
What’s the Difference Between a Solicitor and a Conveyancer?
This is one of the most common questions buyers ask. A conveyancer specialises specifically in property transactions and conveyancing law. A solicitor is a fully qualified legal professional who can handle a broader range of legal matters.
In reality, both can often manage the legal process of buying a house perfectly well. However, a solicitor may be more suitable if the purchase involves:
- Leasehold complications
- Shared ownership schemes
- Boundary disputes
- Inheritance-related sales
- New build developments with complex agreements
For straightforward purchases, either option may work.
Do I Need a Solicitor When Buying a New Build?
Absolutely – and choosing an experienced new build solicitor can be especially important. Buying a new build property often moves quicker than purchasing an older home. Developers may ask buyers to exchange contracts within 28 days of reserving the property, which means timelines can feel tight.
A new build solicitor will usually:
- Review developer contracts
- Check planning permissions and building regulations
- Confirm warranty protection is in place
- Investigate estate management charges
- Review adoption agreements for roads and drainage
Because many buyers reserve homes before construction is complete, solicitors also help explain completion notices, build timelines, and legal responsibilities linked to the development. While the homes themselves are brand new, the paperwork behind them is often more detailed than buyers expect.
How Much Are Moving House Solicitor Fees?
Moving house solicitor fees vary depending on the property price, location, and complexity of the purchase. Typical costs may include:
- Conveyancing legal fees
- Property search fees
- Land Registry charges
- Bank transfer fees
- Stamp Duty administration costs
For standard purchases, many firms offer fixed-fee conveyancing. However, leasehold properties and new builds can sometimes involve additional legal work, which may increase costs slightly. When comparing quotes, it’s always worth checking exactly what’s included. A lower upfront price doesn’t always mean better value if extra charges appear later in the process.
How Long Is the Legal Process of Buying a House?
The legal process of buying a house usually takes between 8 and 12 weeks, although this can vary.
Several factors can affect timelines, including:
- Mortgage approvals
- Property chains
- Search delays
- Survey issues
- Contract negotiations
- Construction schedules for new builds
New build homes can sometimes complete faster because there’s no upward chain involved, although buyers may need to wait for construction milestones to be finished. Your solicitor helps keep communication moving between buyers, sellers, developers, lenders, and estate agents throughout the process.
How Can I Find a Good Solicitor?
Finding the right solicitor for moving house can make a noticeable difference to your overall experience.
When comparing solicitors, it’s worth looking for:
- Strong reviews and recommendations
- Clear communication
- Transparent pricing
- Experience with new build purchases
- No hidden costs
- Realistic timelines
Some buyers choose solicitors recommended by developers or estate agents, while others prefer sourcing an independent firm themselves. The most important thing is choosing somebody organised, responsive, and experienced in the type of property you’re purchasing. Our friendly Sky-House team are on hand to recommend expert, local solicitors.
Why Your Solicitor Matters More Than You Think
From legal searches and contracts to mortgage coordination and completion day, solicitors help manage one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make.
Whether you’re purchasing your first apartment, upsizing for extra space, or reserving a brand-new Sky-House property, understanding what a solicitor does when buying a house can make the entire process feel far less intimidating.
While conveyancing might not be the most exciting part of moving home, having the right legal support in place allows you to focus on the enjoyable part – settling into your new space and making it your own.
Should you have any more questions on ‘what does a solicitor do when buying a house’, then don’t hesitate to ask our Sales & Customer Liaison team.
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