Plymouth Conveyancing Solicitors

Our Plymouth based conveyancing solicitors and property lawyers have the experience and expertise to assist you with buying and selling houses. We will ensure that all contracts and conveyancing documents are checked and legally binding.

Image for Plymouth Conveyancing Solicitors page - Happy family lying on floor after buying new property

The Conveyancing Process

Initially it is the responsibility of the buyer to negotiate the final price with the seller.  Both parties must then engage conveyancing services from their solicitors who will carry out the necessary searches and pre-contract enquiries. The seller’s property solicitors will then prepare a draft contract for approval by the buyer’s solicitors. The legal complexities surrounding property transactions can be confusing for people outside of the legal profession. To help we have created the video below:

If you prefer to read information, you can find out more details about conveyancing in our guide to conveyancing, or more specifically about buying a home and selling a home, by clicking the links.

We also have a series of information pages, using non technical terms and language. These include a page with answers to frequently asked questions and a jargon buster.  We also provide practical advice relating to building regulations and planning permission and details concerning conveyancing searches and remortgages.

Conveyancing Services – No Move No Fee

Conveyancing costs in Plymouth and across the UK as a whole can be expensive.  That is why we offer a ‘no move, no fee’ guarantee as standard practice. Our experienced team can help you move quickly and cost effectively but if for any reason your transaction collapses before you exchange contracts, there will be no charge for our time. During your initial consultation our team will provide you with a conveyancing quote whilst emphasising our ‘no move, no fee’ policy. If you’d like further details on our ‘no move, no fee’ guarantee or additional information on conveyancing fees generally, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our team.

Conveyancing Quality Scheme

Gard & Co. is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. The scheme was devised to give clients a recognisable kite-mark for conveyancing law firms. It is based on a new Law Society protocol which aims to achieve consistent standards in order to speed up the process and provide more certainty for buyers and sellers.

In order to become accredited Gard & Co. has been required to prove its high level of credibility and competence based upon:

  • the integrity of its staff.
  • adherence to good practice management standards.
  • adherence to prudent and efficient procedures.

So for clients of Gard & Co. the Conveyancing Quality Scheme logo offers a visual indication that they are dealing with a genuine conveyancing law firm which has passed strict quality checks.

Image for Plymouth Conveyancing Solicitors page - Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme logo

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the questions we deal with most often:

How long does conveyancing take?

Typically the buyer requires a mortgage and there is a chain of transactions upon which the sale is reliant.  In this case it will usually take between 4 and 6 weeks to reach a position where contract can be exchanged.  The main time delay is often awaiting the mortgage offer which in turn relies upon the valuation.  In a chain the mortgage offers on each property will need to be in place before an exchange can take place.  Similarly, if there are any complications arising, say from adverse search result, on another property in the chain, it will delay the whole.

On exchange of contracts a completion date agreeable to everyone in the chain will be set and will usually be between 1 and 2 weeks later.

So a ‘normal’ conveyance will take between 6 and 8 weeks.

Will I need to pay any money up front?

If you are buying or selling a property you will be asked to make a small payment in advance.  This payment is to cover third party costs for things that are necessary for the conveyance to take place, like property searches. The agent’s and conveyancer’s fees will be paid from the balance of the proceeds of the sale after any mortgage loans have been repaid.  The overall balancing sum will be sent to you.  If the proceeds of sale are insufficient to cover the repayment of any mortgage loans and the fees you will be asked to pay the balancing sum shortly before completion.

If you are buying a property you will be asked to make a payment up front to cover the cost of the conveyancing searches necessary to progress the conveyance.  These are payments made to third parties and are not part of the fees of your conveyancer.  You may also need to deposit sufficient fund to cover the deposit before exchange of contracts and if there is any shortfall between and incoming funds (from mortgage loans and/or the net proceeds of a related sale) you will need to pay the balancing figure before completion.

Do I need a property survey?

The key rule to remember when buying a property is ‘buyer beware’.  Providing you have not been misled, this means you buy the property ‘as seen’ (whether you have seen it or not).  There are no warranties for faults, physical or legal.

It is therefore highly recommended that you have an expert survey the property to make sure it is in a proper state and condition for the price you are paying for it.

If you are buying with a mortgage a valuation report will be carried out on behalf of the lender.  This is a fairly rudimentary report designed to ensure the property has sufficient value to be a good risk for your lender.  You will probably not be able to rely upon the report if anything goes wrong.

However, for an extra fee, you can usually arrange for the valuer to carry out a ‘home buyer’s report’ which, subject to its terms and conditions, can be relied upon by you.

If you are buying an old property or you have any particular worries about the condition of the property it is recommended that you obtain a full structural report, again at a higher cost.

When can I book my home removals?

The date of your move cannot be guaranteed until contracts are exchanged.  Therefore it is best not to make firm arrangements until that time.  Of course you may be able make a pencil booking for confirmation once contracts are exchanged.

Can I move home on a Saturday?

The electronic transfer system used to exchange purchase monies between solicitors’ banks only operates Monday – Friday.  Therefore completion can only take place on those days.  If you are selling your property and moving in to a property you are buying as part of a synchronised sale and purchase you will therefore have to vacate your old property on a weekday.

If you do not have to vacate the property you are living in on the day your purchase is completed (for instance if you are in rented accommodation) you can move at any time after completion, which could be a Saturday.

What do we need to know if we are buying in joint names?

Basically there are two ways in which property can be held when two (or more) people buy together:  as joint tenants or as tenants in common.  The legal differences can be a little confusing but are explained in our Buying a House Together article.

What are conveyancing searches?

For details on conveyancing searches click here.

How much deposit will I need?

The usual deposit is 10% of the purchase price but reduced deposits are often agreed, especially if the buyer is relying upon a mortgage loan of more than 90% and therefore does not have 10% of the purchase price in available funds or if there is a chain.  However, if this is the case then the buyer should be aware that the standard terms of the contract state that if the buyer does not complete on the completion date (through no fault of the seller) then the balance of the deposit up to the 10% becomes immediately payable to the seller (as well as potential compensation for any loss suffered by the seller caused by the buyers failure to complete).

Can I exchange contracts before I receive my mortgage offer?

You can but you shouldn’t.  You would be strongly advised by your conveyancer not to do so.  Once you have exchanged contracts you are legally obliged to complete the purchase on the completion date set in the contract.  If, for whatever reason, your lender refuses your loan, or simply does not provide the offer and funds by the agreed completion date, you will not be able to complete (unless you can find the money from another source) and you will be in breach of contract.

When do I make the first payment under my new mortgage?

You will normally have the opportunity in your mortgage application form of stating on which day of the month you would like your direct debit payment to be processed.  Most people choose a date early in the month when they know funds are more likely to be in the account (if they are paid at the end of the previous month).

Please note that, depending on when you complete and what date you have chosen for your direct debit payment, your first payment will probably be larger than your normal payments.

When do I need to arrange buildings insurance?

You will become liable for the property from the date of exchange of contracts.  This means that, for instance, if there is a fire at the property between exchange and completion it will be your responsibility.  Therefore you should make sure there is adequate buildings insurance in place from the date of exchange.

What happens with the keys?

Arrangement for the handover of the keys should be made between the buyer and the seller in advance of the completion date.  In most cases the keys are left with the estate agent for the buyer to collect once the purchase monies have been received by the seller’s conveyancer.

Alternatively the keys can be handed over direct from the seller to the buyer (again once the seller has confirmation that the money has been received) or the keys can be left with the seller’s conveyancer if this is more convenient for everyone involved.

Any arrangement can be made but the seller should make sure the buyer does not receive the keys before the purchase monies have been received.  If the transaction is at the end of a long chain this can mean a wait for the buyer before they can move in because the money has to pass from bank to bank through each individual sale before it gets to the end of the chain.

What happens if there are items left at the property?

Occasionally buyers arrive at their new home to find the seller has left unwanted items at the property.  If this is the case your conveyancer will write to the sellers asking them to remove the items, stating that otherwise they will be disposed of and a bill for disposal sent to them.

Despite the inconvenience, you should refrain from simply disposing of the items because they legally still belong to the seller, who may have simply left them by mistake.

The only way of avoiding this happening is to visit the property just before completion to make sure it is empty, which of course may not be possible.  And if the items are in a dark corner of the loft you are unlikely to see them.

When will I get my money?

If there is a positive balance on your account at the end of the transaction your conveyancer will arrange for a payment to be forwarded to you either on the day of completion or the next working day.  You will receive this by electronic transfer direct to your account.  There will be no charge for this service.

Brochure and Articles

Download our brochure: Understanding your sale/purchase – or click here to see our other articles.

You can find more details about our fees here.

Plymouth Conveyancing Lawyers You Can Rely On

At Gard & Co. we offer a wide range of legal services in addition to conveyancing.  These areas of expertise include business law, will and probate, personal injury and more. If you need any information about any aspect of law, you can rely on our team of experienced solicitors to present you with cost effective legal solutions. Aside from our legal expertise, we are also known for our high level of customer service, with legal advice delivered in an easy to understand way in a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere.

If you are selling or buying property and need the services of a highly regarded team of property lawyers, please contact Anthony, Karen, Max, Michelle or Jodie on 01752 668246 or send an email by clicking here. Alternatively you can obtain an online conveyancing quote (legal fees for buying and/or selling houses) by clicking on the button or in the menu.


If you are looking for a Conveyancing Solicitor in Plymouth, choose Gard & Co, the Plymouth Conveyancing Solicitors.