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Buying a house, do I really need a solicitor?

I am buying a house from my good friend of many years on Monday morning at the land registry office in Durham. It is a cash purchase, Freehold property in Chilton, all the searches are done, there is no mortgage or estate agent involved. Is it really necessary to involve a solicitor given the prices they charge?

Comments

  • foxy-stoat
    foxy-stoat Posts: 6,879 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If it involves large sums of money changing hands for property, then yes, you really need to be protected and a few hundred pounds legal fees is a small price to pay.
  • monkey74
    monkey74 Posts: 42 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    I know but they are asking for nearly 2% of the property price for 20 minutes work! Is it a legal requirement?


    Mods: I posted this thread in wrong forum, and can't seem to delete it. I have reposted in correct forum
  • alanobrien
    alanobrien Posts: 3,309 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Mortgage-free Glee!
    There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor to purchase a property.
    A conveyancing company can do it and you can also do it yourself providing you are aware of the process.
    The conveyancing fraud by Michael Joseph is a very good book on the subject.
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