Conveyancing - Investment

DIY conveyancing – should you do it yourself?

4 min read

Doing your own conveyancing might seem like an appealing way to cut costs when buying or selling a home. However, DIY conveyancing can be complex, time-consuming, and risky without the right legal knowledge. In this guide, we explain how DIY conveyancing works, whether you should do it yourself, and the pros and cons to consider before making your decision.

  • Smiling person with a beard and short hair wearing a black shirt, standing against a plain light gray background.
    Mo Amin

    Conveyancing Team Manager

    Updated on

    Published

young investor talking with his solicitor to see if he can do his own conveyancing
Conveyancing

Why do people consider DIY conveyancing?

The costs for buying and selling a house can sometimes look overwhelming and quickly add up, which may lead people to consider cutting costs by handling the conveyancing themselves.

However, DIY conveyancing is rarely recommended. The process involves legal checks, documentation and compliance requirements that can be difficult to manage without professional experience.

Even if you can do conveyancing yourself, the real question is whether you should. Conveyancing may appear straightforward on the surface, but mistakes can be costly and time-consuming to fix.

If you’ve been thinking about doing conveyancing yourself, this guide covers everything you need to know, including:

Can you do your own conveyancing in the UK?

It is not a legal requirement to use a conveyancer or solicitor, meaning you can do your own conveyancing in the UK. However, for most property transactions, using a professional is strongly recommended.

Conveyancing involves complex processes, paperwork and compliance checks that can be difficult to manage without experience. In addition, some mortgage providers require that you do use a conveyancer. If you choose to do your own conveyancing, they may insist on having their own legal representation, which you would be responsible for covering those costs of.

Things to consider before doing DIY conveyancing

  • DIY conveyancing is only realistic in very simple transactions. For example, if you are a cash buyer and the transaction is straightforward, it may be possible. However, if a mortgage lender is involved, you will usually need a qualified conveyancer.

  • Be prepared for a significant amount of paperwork. You will need to dedicate a considerable amount of time to completing documents particularly if you’re part of a property chain. While professionals may spend around 30 full hours across a transaction, it can take much longer if you’re learning as you go.

  • You’ll need to understand legal terminology and contracts. Conveyancing documents can often be complex and misinterpreting them can lead to costly mistakes. Becoming confident in this area takes time – licensed conveyancers typically train for at least 2 years, and they must also be licensed regulated by the Solicitors Regulations Authority (SRA) or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), as well as registered with the Law Society. For many people, this highlights why using a professional can provide reassurance and support.

  • Make sure you fully understand the process before starting. There are many documents and stages involved, and missing even a single step could delay your case or cause legal issues. While DIY conveyancing kits and useful support websites, such as the HM Land Registry are available, they still require careful research and attention to detail. If you don’t look at what’s needed before you proceed, you’re at risk of missing a document or biting off more than you can chew, which could cause you problems further down the line.

  • Other solicitors involved in the transaction, may be reluctant to work with someone handling their own conveyancing. This can slow down communication and, in some cases, lead to delays or complications if issues arise.

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How much money can DIY conveyancing save?

If cost is a key reason into why you’re considering doing your own conveyancing, it’s important to understand what you would actually save. Only part of what you pay to a conveyancer is their legal fee – this is where any potential savings come from. However, there are several other costs involved in buying or selling a property that you will still need to pay, whether you use a professional or not.

These can include:

When you factor in these unavoidable costs, the overall saving from doing conveyancing yourself is often smaller than expected.

It’s also worth considering the potential financial risks. Mistakes, delays, or missing legal issues could result in additional costs that outweigh any initial savings.

What does DIY conveyancing involve?

DIY conveyancing involves managing every legal and administrative step of the property transaction yourself. This includes handling documentation, liaising with the other party, and ensuring all legal requirements are met.

DIY conveyancing when buying

  • Verify your identity through HM Land Registry or a solicitor.

  • Order the necessary property searches. These may include local authority, environmental and water searches, depending on the property’s location. You will need to decided which searches are required and review the results yourself.

  • Check the legal title of the property to ensure there are no issues or restrictions.

  • Review the draft contract provided by the seller and raise enquiries where needed.

  • Carefully check all legal documents supplied by the seller’s solicitor.

  • Complete and manage all required forms throughout the process, ensuring everything is read, prepared and signed in time for the exchange of contracts.

  • Arrange the transfer of funds, including paying the deposit upon exchange and the remaining balance on completion.

  • Register your ownership with HM Land Registry and pay any Stamp Duty Land Tax due.

DIY conveyancing when selling

When selling a property, you will need to prepare and organise key documents before issuing them to the buyer’s side. These typically include:

  • Title information from HM Land Registry

  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

  • Property information form (TA6)

  • Fixtures and fittings forms (TA10)

  • Leasehold information form (TA7), if the property is leasehold

  • Seller’s property information questionnaire

  • Draft contract

You will also need to:

  • Complete all forms accurately and provide supporting information where required.

  • Use the title information and completed forms to prepare or instruct the draft contract.

  • Respond to enquiries raised by the buyer.

  • Agree to the final contract before exchange.

  • Arrange the transfer of funds at exchange and completion.

  • Complete the transfer of ownership and arrange the release of keys.

As you can see, doing conveyancing yourself involves a wide range of legal, financial and administrative tasks – all of which must be completed accurately to avoid delays or issues.

What are the risks of DIY conveyancing?

Doing your own conveyancing can carry significant risks, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the legal process.

When you use a professional conveyancer or solicitor, their work is covered by professional indemnity insurance. This means that if something goes wrong, you have some level of financial protection.

If you choose to handle the process yourself, you are fully responsible for any mistakes or issues that arise.

Some of the key risks include:

  • Errors in legal documents, which could delay the transaction or create problems after completion

  • Missing important information during searches or title checks

  • Delays caused by incorrect paperwork or missed deadlines, especially if you are part of a property chain

  • Financial loss if problems arise that require legal action to resolve

  • Increased risks of being taken advantage of due to lack of legal knowledge

In the most serious cases, mistakes in the conveyancing process could lead to disputes or legal claims, which you would be responsible for resolving and funding yourself.

When should you avoid DIY conveyancing?

While DIY conveyancing may be possible in very simple situations, there are many scenarios where it is strongly recommended to use a professional conveyancer or solicitor.

You should avoid doing your own conveyancing if any of the following apply to your purchase or sale:

  • You are using a mortgage lender, as they will usually require a qualified conveyancer to act on their behalf.

  • The property is a leasehold, as these transactions involve additional legal complexities.

  • The property is a new build, which often includes more detailed contracts and developer requirements

  • The property is not registered with the HM Land Registry, which can make the legal process more complicated.

  • The transaction involves unusual circumstances, such as a relationship breakdown, dispute or separation between sellers.

In these situations, the legal and administrative complexity increases significantly, making professional support the safer and more reliable option.

What does a conveyancer do instead?

A conveyancer or solicitor manages the legal and administrative aspects of your property transaction, helping to ensure everything is completed accurately and in line with current regulations.

Some of the key things a conveyancer will handle include:

  • Verifying your identity in line with HM Land Registry requirements, which can be more difficult to arrange on your own.

  • Carrying out checks on the other party’s solicitor to help prevent solicitor fraud.

  • Ordering and reviewing all necessary property searches, ensuring nothing important is missed.

  • Reviewing contracts and legal documents and raising enquiries where issues arise.

  • Managing communications with the other party’s solicitor to keep the transaction progressing.

  • Handling the transfer of funds securely at exchange and completion.

  • Submitting your application to HM Land Registry and ensuring it is completed correctly.

For most buyers and sellers, this level of support reduces risk, saves time, and helps ensure a smoother transaction, giving you greater peace of mind from start to finish.

Ways to save money instead of DIY conveyancing

While doing your own conveyancing may seem like a way to reduce costs, the risks often outweigh the potential savings. Instead, there are other areas of the moving process where you can cut costs more safely.

Here are some practical ways to save money when moving home:

  • Consider buying second-hand furniture or appliances. Platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree can offer good value, especially if you’re furnishing a new home. You may also find items that can be refurbished or upcycled.

  • Compare services across your move. Using comparison websites and home setup services that can help you find better deals on surveyors, mortgage products, home insurance providers, removal companies, and utilities such as energy and broadband.

  • Watch out for hidden costs in legal fees. Some companies add additional charges hidden costs that increase the final price. Choosing a conveyancer with clear, upfront pricing can help you budget more effectively and avoid unexpected charges. With My Home Move Conveyancing, your quote includes a full breakdown of fees, so you know exactly what to expect from the start. Get a quote today.

  • Spread out your moving costs where possible. Some fees are only payable at later stages of the transaction, helping you manage your budget more consistently.

By focusing on these areas, you can reduce your overall moving costs while still benefitting from the expertise and protection of a professional conveyancer.

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