Can I Buy a House Without a Solicitor?

With the mortgage arrangements, survey fees, and stamp duty costs to consider, the total cost of buying a home can quickly rise. It’s no wonder that many first-time buyers often wonder whether they can buy a house without a solicitor.

While it’s not a common route, it is possible to handle the legal process yourself to save on fees. In reality, however, it can be far from straightforward.

The conveyancing process involves complex legal steps and detailed checks that can be risky and even most costly to handle without recruiting the right professional help.

In this article, we explore buying a house without a solicitor can be legally possible, the risks associated, and how mortgage lenders can help you find the right professionals for the job. Let’s begin.

Do Mortgage Lenders Allow You to Buy Without a Solicitor?

No, most mortgage lenders will not allow you to buy a house without a solicitor. This is because they need reassurance from a qualified legal professional that the property is free from disputes and meets all statutory requirements.

The employment of a solicitor in this manner is to help minimise the overall risk for both the lender and the buyer. It is important to note that a solicitor can act for both the buyer and the lender, as their primary focus is to complete legal checks and arrange documentation.

It’s important to recognise that a lender’s role is different from the seller’s:

Why a Solicitor Matters to Your Lender

A lender’s main priority is evaluating the buyer’s affordability and confirming that the property can be resold easily if a default occurs. For this reason, lenders usually require a solicitor to oversee the legal process and ensure all aspects of the transaction are properly handled.

How a Solicitor Protects the Seller

On the other hand, the seller’s priority is to simply complete the sale. This is why sellers typically engage their own solicitor to review contracts, manage negotiations, and protect their legal and financial interests throughout the transaction.

Crucially, if you’re looking to buy a house independently and find that a solicitor is acting on behalf of both an independent buyer and seller, there may be a conflict of interest.

Under the SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) code of conduct for solicitors, it is highly likely that acting for both a buyer and seller would create a conflict of interest and could compromise impartiality.

If you’re looking to secure a mortgage, it’s important to know how to check if a solicitor is on a lender’s panel. Using a solicitor that is not recommended by your chosen broker could result in delays or additional costs.

At Boon Brokers, we work with a whole panel of trusted solicitors who are regulated and proven to provide expert services in handling all types of property transactions.

Our dedicated mortgage experts ensure that your journey is smooth and stress-free. We can help find you the best mortgage deal that matches your financial needs, as well as the right solicitor who can handle your property transaction efficiently and ensure all legal requirements are properly met.

What are the Risks of Buying a House Without a Solicitor in the UK?

Buying a house without a solicitor can lead to significant risks, particularly if attempting from a DIY approach. From leasehold agreements and title issues to outstanding charges and structural concerns, a solicitor carefully checks a comprehensive list to protect the buyer and ensure a legally sound purchase.

Consequently, buying a house without a solicitor will leave these concerns unchecked and can expose you to significant risks that can lead to financial and legal complications.

Below is an overview of the key checks a solicitor carries out, why they’re important, and the risks that can arise if you attempt conveyancing yourself:

Ultimately, the risks of completing your own conveyancing are down to missing key legal requirements, strict deadlines, and providing precise documentation. Unfortunately, in the world of DIY conveyancing, mistakes will often go unnoticed until it’s too late, leading to an increased cost and complicating your home purchase.

At Boon Brokers, we don’t just offer fee-free mortgage advice, we help you throughout the entire journey of buying your dream home. Our dedicated mortgage advisers get to know your case and will recommend trusted solicitors from our panel who are experienced with your type of property purchase.

In fact, for those who are looking for complete peace of mind – our unique Convenience Package will have your dedicated mortgage adviser manage every step of your home purchase. From arranging your mortgage, protection, and home insurance to sourcing trusted solicitors and surveyors, we handle all correspondence and paperwork, making the process smooth, efficient, and stress-free.

When is DIY Conveyancing Possible in the UK?

DIY conveyancing is only possible if you do not need to qualify for a mortgage loan. For cash buyers and property purchases, when the transaction is straightforward, DIY conveyancing is an option as there’s no requirement to use a solicitor approved by a lender. However, even without the need for a lender, DIY conveyancing is typically not recommended.

As we’ve highlighted above, even if the property purchase and transaction appears simple, it will likely still involve completing a host of steps to ensure complete legal acquisition of a property. Missing any of these steps can create legal issues later.

For more detail, the HM Land Registry blog provides an overview of what is required, though professional help is still recommended for most buyers.

Do You Need a Conveyancer to Buy a Leasehold Flat?

No, you are not legally required to hire a conveyancer to buy a leasehold flat. However, the process is far more complex than freehold purchases and hiring a reputable and regulated solicitor is best practice.

How Much Are Solicitor Fees for a Leasehold Property?

Due to the complexity, solicitor fees for buying a leasehold flat are typically higher than that of a freehold purchase. This is because solicitors must review lease terms, check service charges, and ensure compliance with lender requirements.

Similarly, sellers will find that their solicitor fees for selling a leasehold flat will also typically be higher due to the corresponding additional legal work.

Do You Need a Solicitor to Buy a Freehold Property?

No, you do not legally need a solicitor to buy a freehold property. However, using a licensed conveyancer is highly recommended to ensure all legal checks, contracts, and registrations are correctly completed, protecting you from potential issues and costly mistakes.

What Does Freehold Mean on a Property?

A freehold purchase means that you’re purchasing not only the property but the land it’s on outright. While this can make the purchase simpler than leasehold, there are still legal issues to consider.

Here’s a comparison of freehold vs leasehold to explain the differences:

It’s important to note that even with a freehold property, hiring a solicitor remains the best practice. Specifically for buyers needing a mortgage, working with a licensed conveyancer will be a necessity, as most lenders will not proceed with your mortgage application without one.

Can a Mortgage Broker Act as Your Solicitor?

No, a mortgage broker is not a solicitor and so cannot substitute for a qualified conveyancer. The difference between mortgage broker and solicitor is that brokers focus on securing finance, while solicitors handle the legal transfer of property ownership.

While it is common practice for many mortgage brokers to combine both services for convenience, they will typically outsource and work with a list of qualified solicitors to complete the conveyancing. Ultimately, your mortgage broker and solicitor are separate.

At Boon Brokers, we are a trusted, fee-free mortgage broker with an established network of reliable solicitors. Our dedicated mortgage advisers can recommend the right conveyancer for your property purchase and put you directly in contact with them. We ensure that your homebuying journey is a smooth, coordinated, and stress-free experience.

Should You Use a Solicitor Recommended by Your Mortgage Broker?

Choosing to use a solicitor recommended by your mortgage broker is entirely at your discretion. Many brokers maintain a panel of trusted solicitors with whom they have established strong working relationships, ensuring professionalism and reliability.

Using a broker’s network of solicitors can often streamline the process and maintain high standards, but you are always free to appoint your own solicitor if you prefer. Whomever you decide to work with, it is most important that you check their experience and  listed fees.

At Boon Brokers, we understand that purchasing a property is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make. That’s why we won’t only focus on providing you with the best mortgage advice, but we will also connect you with trusted, panel-approved solicitors who handle your purchase efficiently.

From start-to-finish, our dedicated mortgage advisers ensure that your homebuying journey is as easy and stress-free as possible.

As a fee-free mortgage broker with whole-of-market access, we have access to the whole market of lenders. We will find you the mortgage deal that matches your needs and is tailored to your financial situation.

Contact Boon Brokers today for free, personalised mortgage advice and benefit from our network of trusted solicitors to secure your property with confidence.