Conveyancing
Do I Need a Solicitor to Sell My House?
By Faizal Lunat · 5 September 2026 · 5 min read
In practice, yes. Here is what a conveyancer actually does on a sale, what it costs and what happens if there is a mortgage to redeem.
There is no law requiring you to use a solicitor to sell your home. In reality it is close to impossible without one: the buyer's lender will require a conveyancer to act, the transfer deed has to be prepared and registered properly, and completion money has to pass through a regulated client account.
What we do on a sale
- Obtain the title from HM Land Registry and check it is in order before the buyer's solicitor sees it
- Prepare the contract pack and the property information and fittings and contents forms with you
- Obtain a redemption figure from your lender if there is a mortgage
- Answer the buyer's enquiries and deal with anything the title or searches throw up
- Agree a completion date, exchange contracts and hold the deposit
- On completion, redeem the mortgage, pay the estate agent and send the balance to you
Leasehold sales take longer
If you are selling a flat, the managing agent or freeholder has to provide a management pack covering service charges, ground rent, accounts and any planned works. Those packs are charged for and can take several weeks to arrive, so we order one as soon as you instruct us rather than waiting for the buyer to ask.
What it costs
A sale costs less than a purchase, because there are no searches and no Stamp Duty. You will pay our legal fee plus a small number of disbursements, principally office copies of the title from HM Land Registry and the bank transfer fee. Our online quote tool gives you an itemised estimate in a couple of minutes.
Selling and buying at the same time
Most people do both, and it is far simpler to have one firm handling both sides. We synchronise exchange and completion so that you are never left owning two properties or none, and there is one person you can call for an update on the whole chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a solicitor legally required to sell a house?
- Not by law, but in practice yes. The buyer's lender will require a conveyancer to act, and completion funds must pass through a regulated client account.
- How much does conveyancing cost when selling?
- Less than a purchase, because there are no searches and no Stamp Duty. Our online quote tool itemises our legal fee, VAT and disbursements for your specific sale.
- What happens to my mortgage when I sell?
- We obtain a redemption figure from your lender and repay it from the sale proceeds on completion, then send you the balance after the estate agent's commission and our fees.
- Why do leasehold sales take longer?
- Because the managing agent or freeholder must supply a management pack covering service charges, ground rent and planned works, which is charged for and can take several weeks to arrive.
This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own circumstances, speak to a Solicitor & Director on 07449 567711.
