Legal & conveyancing
If you want to buy a property in Scotland, you need to appoint a solicitor estate agent to manage the conveyancing process, the legal work involved in transferring ownership of a home. This is an essential part of every property transaction, and it begins as soon as your offer is accepted.
Understanding what your solicitor estate agent does, what’s included in their fee, and how to choose the right legal support will help you budget more accurately and feel more in control throughout your home-buying journey.
What does conveyancing involve?
Conveyancing covers a range of legal checks and formalities that ensure the property you’re buying can legally be transferred to you, and that there are no outstanding issues that could cause problems later on. Your chosen solicitor estate agent acts on your behalf to protect your interests and to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Here are the main tasks your solicitor estate agent will carry out:
- Submitting the offer: Once you’ve decided to make an offer, your solicitor estate agent will draft and submit it formally on your behalf, including any conditions such as subject to survey or mortgage approval.
- Concluding the missives: After the offer is accepted, solicitors for both parties exchange formal letters known as missives, which set out the agreed terms of the sale. When these are finalised, the sale becomes legally binding.
- Checking the Title Deeds: Your solicitor will examine the property’s title to confirm the seller has the legal right to sell it and to identify any legal burdens, rights of access, or restrictions affecting the property.
- Carrying out legal searches: These include checking for planning issues, property disputes, local authority proposals, and other legal or environmental risks that could affect your use of the home.
- Managing the Transfer of Funds: Your solicitor will coordinate the financial side of the purchase, including receiving your deposit, arranging the mortgage drawdown, and transferring funds securely to the seller’s solicitor on the date of entry.
- Registering your ownership: After completion, your solicitor will register the property in your name with Registers of Scotland, and you’ll receive a Title Sheet confirming your legal ownership.
How much does conveyancing cost?
Conveyancing costs can vary depending on several factors, including:
- The value of the property
- Whether you are using a fixed-fee or hourly-rate solicitor
- The complexity of the transaction (e.g., new build, shared ownership, or properties with legal burdens)
If you are a first-time buyer, you should expect to pay somewhere in the region of £800 to £1,500 for standard conveyancing services. This usually includes legal fees, registration dues, and outlays such as property searches and document handling.
Always request a detailed quote in advance, so you know exactly what is included and whether VAT or third-party costs are covered.
Choosing the right solicitor estate agent
Did you know that you need a solicitor to buy a property in Scotland? All ESPC members are solicitor estate agents, so they can take care of the buying process for you and will also be able to help with selling your property if you are selling a home in Scotland.
ESPC solicitor estate agents are duty bound to offer the best possible service to you and work to stay up-to-date with the latest guidance and legislation on buying a house in Scotland.
You can also opt to pick an ESPC Chartered firm. These firms are committed to offering the best service and communication to their clients.