Best Conveyancing Solicitors in Swindon

How do I choose a good conveyancing solicitor in Swindon?

When you compare conveyancing quotes, look for a property solicitor with strong credentials, positive client feedback, and experience within the Swindon property market. Swindon has a mix of modern developments, historic properties, and regeneration areas, so choosing a solicitor familiar with local planning nuances, leasehold complexities (especially in newer flats), and regional property trends can help avoid costly delays.

It is important to look for transparency regarding their conveyancing fees and services. Ensure that quotes break down all costs, including Land Registry fees, disbursements, and stamp duty calculations based on Swindon postcodes.

Make sure the conveyancers you are considering are fully accredited, either by the CLC or SRA.

You can contact them through their website, phone, or visit their office. Many will offer an initial consultation to discuss your conveyancing needs.

It’s also helpful to select a conveyancing solicitor who is already on the panel of approved firms set by your chosen mortgage lender, as this will help things go quicker. You can check your lender’s website or ask them directly to find out if your conveyancer is on their panel.

While it’s not essential to use a solicitor based in Swindon, as many aspects of conveyancing can be handled remotely, a local solicitor may provide additional insight into Swindon Borough Council’s procedures and timelines, have familiarity with local estate agents and surveyors and provide faster turnaround for in-person verifications or local document delivery. A solicitor who has worked with transactions in areas like Old Town, Wichelstowe, or Haydon Wick will better anticipate local authority search times, common title issues, and neighbourhood-specific conveyancing challenges.

You should engage a conveyancer as you start looking for a property or before you list one for sale, to ensure all legal aspects are promptly addressed.

How do Swindon property solicitors work?

It is a conveyancer’s job to act on your behalf, managing the legal aspects of property transactions and administrative work associated with transferring the ownership of a property from one person to another. Their tasks will vary depending on whether you are buying, selling or both.

Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct conveyancing searches with Swindon Borough Council to identify issues such as planning restrictions, conservation area status, or flood risks (especially relevant near River Ray and Coate Water areas). They will handle contracts, and advise on Swindon's property laws, including any unique leasehold or shared ownership schemes common in new developments, to facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership.

According to reallymoving data, the average cost of conveyancing fees is around £2,368, including fees and disbursements. For a First Time Buyer, the average cost is £1,478. Prices in Swindon are often competitive due to the presence of both national chains and experienced local firms; always compare quotes to find the best fit for your budget and needs.

Your money is protected when you use a conveyancer. Conveyancing solicitors must hold client funds in separate accounts, ensuring security and compliance with regulatory standards.

It is possible to do your own conveyancing, if you are a cash buyer, however it is advisable to always use a conveyancing solicitor as they will have the knowledge and expertise necessary to complete a property transaction. In a growing market like Swindon, with varying property types and estate conditions, using a professional solicitor significantly reduces the risk of delays or costly mistakes. Their local insight can ensure your transaction is completed smoothly and securely.

What questions should I ask my solicitor?

Start by enquiring about their experience in the Swindon property market. Even if your solicitor isn’t based in Swindon, they should demonstrate familiarity with local council procedures (e.g., Swindon Borough Council search timelines), common issues with new-build estates in Wichelstowe or Tadpole Garden Village and regional planning or infrastructure projects like the A420 corridor upgrades.

Ask them about how much their fees will be and what they include, such as disbursements (e.g., search fees specific to Swindon), expenses and Stamp Duty.

Ask about the timeline for how long the conveyancing process will take, and how they plan to communicate updates to you. Typically, conveyancing takes 8-12 weeks, and your conveyancer will need your input to fill out forms and provide documents throughout the process. They should be available to contact whenever you need to ask questions or request updates. Prompt communication is key, especially if delays arise from searches or local planning conditions.

You may want to see if they offer no sale, no fee agreements. This means you will not have to pay the conveyancing fees if the purchase falls through, but you may still have to cover the cost of disbursements. This option can give peace of mind in a competitive market like Swindon’s.

Make sure they are part of a regulated professional body and are approved on your chosen mortgage lender’s conveyancing panel. All conveyancers/ conveyancing solicitors on reallymoving are regulated by the SRA or CLC.

Is it better to use a solicitor or conveyancer in Swindon?

You can use both conveyancing solicitors and conveyancers to carry out your conveyancing in Swindon. There are differences between the two, but both will perform your property sale or purchase in the same way, so who you decide to use is up to you.

Conveyancing solicitors will have been trained in a variety of legal fields, ranging from family law through to litigation or criminal law. They have then chosen to specialise in property law. This broader legal knowledge can be helpful if your transaction in Swindon intersects with other legal matters.

Licensed Conveyancers are specialists who have specifically been trained in property law. Their focus is 100% on the conveyancing process, which can make them highly efficient, particularly in fast-moving markets like Swindon’s.

Conveyancing solicitors practising in the Swindon market must be registered with the Law Society and are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), whereas Licensed Conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

Both regulatory bodies will have a public register where you can search for an individual or a firm to check if they are regulated. All property solicitors and conveyancers quoted by reallymoving are regulated by one of these bodies. 

Your decision about whether to use a solicitor or conveyancer may come down to whether you prefer to have someone with expertise in other legal fields you may need help with, or someone trained specifically in property law. Practical considerations like response times, fixed-fee options, remote working ability, and experience dealing with Swindon Borough Council planning or local searches should weigh heavily in your decision. But you should ultimately choose a conveyancing firm based on what they can offer you that best suits your move to Swindon.