Online Conveyancing

Uncle_Fester_2

Has anyone any experience of Online Conveyancing? (Pros & Cons)

Would I need a witness, as everything is done by post?

Thanks in Advance

tali

yes you would need a witness , they claim "everything is done by post" but the solicitors i used said "we prefer to deal in person rather than thru the post"!

Uncle_Fester_2

^

So, Online Conveyancing is really a false economy

Canucklehead

Good morning: Your best bet is to do a quick search of this topic in this forum...you should find several threads about online conveyancing, pros and cons! We have used online conveyancers 3 times now and haven't had any problems with documentation, signatures, etc.

Good luck

Canucklehead

olly300

Uncle_Fester wrote:

^

So, Online Conveyancing is really a false economy

No.

The main problem is the Money Laundering Regulations that require you to send documentation i.e. passport, driving license, bills, to prove who you are via the post.

This runs the extremely small risk of documents getting lost in the post via Royal Mail Special Delivery. However most Delivery Offices have tightened up regulations so you need photo- ID passport or driving license - plus proof of address to get the documentation you sent to the solicitor back as they sent it back Special Delivery.

If you don't want to send original documents (or only have one of a passport or photo driving license which is valid) either get your GP or another solicitor to verify the photo ID. This you have to pay for so if you have family friends' who are solicitors' or doctors' they can do it free. You can also use your mortgage broker to send this information on in some cases as they should have already verified this information. The conveyancing solicitor if doing their job properly will check out the person who verified this photo ID.

Other witnesses just need to be over 18, not related to you and responsible in case your solicitor decides to check up on them so you can use your boss or any responsible work colleague.

Uncle_Fester_2

So I can use a friend as a witness, for Land Reg, Mortgage Deed...etc...?

I won't need to pay a local solicitor?

Richard_Webster

You need to check that they are as cheap as you might think they are.

Some firms hide all kinds of extras in small print on their websites - like charges for completing the SDLT form, acting for the lender - if they say "Conveyancing on the Purchase £200 plus VAT..." it probably doesn't include an extra amount for acting for the lender, or one I love - completing in less than 21 days from exchange! About 14 days is standard, so they pick up their extra charge nearly every time!

As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients.

olly300

Uncle_Fester wrote:

So I can use a friend as a witness, for Land Reg, Mortgage Deed...etc...?

I won't need to pay a local solicitor?

Nope. I've used different responsible friends' over 18 who are not planning to move in the next 5 years. If they, the conveyancing firm, tell you this then use another firm as they have the potential to rip you off.

As Richard Webster said check the small print on the website as there are extra charges however local firms charge you extra for completing Stamp Duty forms and other things as well.

The best thing is to contact 2 local firms and 2 online firms mentioned frequently on these forums (use the search facility) , and get quotes including a break down for ALL CHARGES from them for the type of property you are buying. Note the charges won't be exact from any firm but you need to see what they are charging you for as in one case a local firm wanted to charge me for a coal mining search when I live in London, none of the other firms had put this in their quote and I had already done a search on http://www.homecheck.co.uk to see what likely environmental risks there were on every property I liked before a second viewing. (This search was not done.)

vansboy

We used the service offered on the BritishGas https://www.house.co.uk website.

Chose them 'cos cheaper than conventional solicitors & not much more expensive than unknown advertisers/websites. Thought we'd at least be able to complain to BG if things went wrong!!

Everything went really smoothly & efficiently, so get a quote from them & compare to your local solicitor/conveyancer!!

VB

Unknown1234_2

I used an online conveyancing service, instructed them beginning of september and we were moved in on November 11th : )

Very smooth, alot cheaper and no problems.

Richard_Webster

however local firms charge you extra for completing Stamp Duty forms

I don't, but I am not necessarily the cheapest!

As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients.