DIY Conveyancing: Should you do it yourself?

Considering turning your hand to conveyancing?

Regardless of whether you want to cut down on costs when purchasing property or add to your skillset, we can help you to determine whether DIY conveyancing is the right route for you.

At Wilson Browne Solicitors, we have many expert conveyancers that can handle the various complex legal and practical aspects that come with moving house with ease. To discover whether you can do your own conveyancing and tackle these essential steps yourself, please carry on reading.

Can you do conveyancing yourself?

Put simply, yes, it is possible to do your own conveyancing when buying or selling a property. You don’t require any qualifications or prior experience in this industry to get started.

It’s important to bear in mind, however, that DIY conveyancers may need to verify their identity. This involves providing the HM Land Registry with relevant identity evidence.

To support DIY conveyancers, HM Land Registry has produced guidance relating to various aspects of conveyancing including how to complete a land or property transfer form and how to update property records on behalf of someone else, for example, when a property owner dies.

Now you know that you can do your own conveyancing, the question becomes ‘should you do your own conveyancing?’ – which has a more complicated answer.

Should you do conveyancing yourself?

Typically, conveyancing is a relatively simple transaction, but that doesn’t mean that DIY conveyancing comes without risks.

While completing and sending forms is a relatively straightforward, key part of the conveyancing process, searches (such as Local Authority, Water and Drainage, and Environmental searches), as well as formal enquiries also need to be conducted before the transaction can be completed.

These searches and enquiries can be more difficult to complete, especially for those without the necessary experience, knowledge, and ability. If a DIY conveyancer fails to carry out these checks properly or at all, then post-transaction issues can arise.

For example, if a land search is missed or an error occurs when conducting the search, the property or land buyer could suffer serious financial loss or loss of opportunity.

Furthermore, if something does go wrong with this process, then DIY conveyancers tend to have no cover to protect themselves. A professional conveyancer or solicitor, however, should have insurance in place to help compensate any potential losses.

Purchasing the land or property in cash? There’s no legal requirement for these searches to be conducted if you’re a cash buyer, so DIY conveyancing may be more of an attractive option for individuals in this position.

Individuals that require a mortgage and want to do their own conveyancing, on the other hand, should be aware that the lender will often insist on certain searches being carried out. Not to mention, for more complex transactions, you may need to prepare far more documents than the standard forms.

Understanding which services you need to carry out as a DIY conveyancer to safely complete the transaction is therefore essential.

This will take time and research, and, depending on the type of transaction you’re involved in, you may even want to consult a professional conveyancer or solicitor to help point you in the right direction.

Get in touch with our expert conveyancing team today

If DIY conveyancing doesn’t seem like the right route for you, then please don’t hesitate to contact the professional team of experienced conveyancers at Wilson Browne Solicitors.

Offering transparent pricing, high standards as recognised by regulators, and quality assurance, we’ve supported countless clients with our expert residential conveyancing services.

With dedicated Wilson Browne offices in Leicester, Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, and Higham Ferrers and Rushden, we can help clients across the UK to purchase property with ease.

If you’d like to learn more about DIY conveyancing or our conveyancing services, simply give us a call today on 0800 088 6004. The first call is always free, so there’s no reason not to reach out to our knowledgeable team!

Alternatively, you can also get in touch by filling in and submitting our convenient online contact form. With no hidden consultation charges, a free initial assessment, and direct access to your legal team, our conveyancing services offer a professional and fuss-free alternative to DIY conveyancing.