The conveyancing landscape in the United Kingdom has changed significantly over the past decade. Alongside traditional firms of solicitors and licensed conveyancers, there has been a marked rise in online property conveyancing offerings. These businesses position themselves as a faster, cheaper, and more convenient way for clients to buy and sell property. However, buying a property is a significant financial and emotional investment, and it is crucial to get it right. It is incredibly important to understand the limitations of online property conveyancing so that you can make an informed choice.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
What Is Online Property Conveyancing?
Online property conveyancing firms usually operate on a national scale, advertising heavily through price comparison sites, estate agents, and Google searches. Their business model is typically based on:
- Low fixed fees (sometimes appearing artificially cheap upfront, with hidden extras added later).
- High volume case handling where one conveyancer may handle hundreds of files simultaneously.
- Centralised call centre-style operations rather than personalised solicitor-client relationships.
- Reliance on portals and automated updates instead of direct communication.
Most property purchasers are attracted by the low fixed fees advertised by online property conveyancing firms. However, cheaper is not always best. If your transaction becomes complicated or encounters issues, as many house purchases do, an online property conveyancing firm may struggle to address the problems, and the progress of your transaction may stall. Furthermore, you may find that you are charged more than the advertised fee, which will be based on a straightforward transaction that requires little or no additional work.
What Are The Risks Of Using An Online Property Conveyancing Firm?
Before instructing an online property conveyancing firm to handle your property purchase, it is vital to consider their drawbacks, which include the following:
- A lack of personal service. Clients often deal with a rotating team. Rather than having a named individual who takes responsibility for your transaction, when you use an online property conveyancing firm, there is a high chance that you will never speak to the same person twice.
- High caseloads. Case handlers at online property conveyancing firms often juggle a large caseload. As a result, they must rely on automated systems to keep individual transactions on track.
- Hidden costs. If your transaction becomes complex or convoluted, the online property conveyancing firms may charge you more than the fees advertised.
- Lack of legal expertise. Conveyancing can be complex, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be catastrophic. An inability to address legal issues as they arise can, at best, stall your transaction and, at worst, result in you losing significant sums of money.
- Lack of local knowledge. An online claim handler hundreds of miles away from the property you propose to buy is unlikely to possess any knowledge of local planning quirks or common title issues in your area.
- Delays and frustration. While online property conveyancing firms purport to offer convenience, automated portals cannot replace the peace of mind clients glean from receiving frequent, clear, tailored updates from a solicitor who knows their case.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Traditional Conveyancing Firm Like Bartlett’s?
Many traditional law firms, like Bartlett’s, offer a personalised service that puts their clients’ interests at the centre of the conveyancing process. Just a few of the benefits we offer include the following:
- Personal contact. You will know exactly who is handling your file and can speak to them directly when you need advice or reassurance.
- Bespoke advice. Every property and property purchaser is unique. We take the time to get to know our clients and understand any particular concerns, so we can tailor our advice to their needs.
- Local knowledge. We are a longstanding member of our local community. We have strong relationships not only with our clients, but also with other key property professionals, such as estate agents and surveyors.
- Continuity and accountability – The same solicitor (or small team) works on a transaction from start to finish, so nothing is lost in handovers, and the transaction proceeds swiftly to completion.
- Legal expertise. Our conveyancing team does far more than simply process paperwork. Our extensive expertise in conveyancing transactions means that we can anticipate issues and find workable solutions, ensuring your purchase completes as smoothly as possible.
If you need support and guidance with a property sale or purchase, we would be delighted to help. Offering a level of personal service and legal expertise that cannot be replicated by online property conveyancing firms, we will go the extra mile to ensure that you feel supported throughout your transaction, and that your purchase proceeds as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
To speak to our experts please call us free of charge on 0800 988 3674 or Make A Free Online Enquiry.
