Self conveyancing

flyer

I've had my offer on a plot of land accepted. It has outline planning for 1 dwelling, I'm paying cash and it's individual to individual. I'm having a nightmare finding a conveyancing solicitor who is taking on any more work at the moment and just wondered if anyone had any experience doing it themselves. I've read up on it and it doesn't seem to be that difficult. Any thoughts would be welcome.

user1977

Big difference between self-conveyancing for an established property (where you have the comfort that the title etc has been "tried and tested" by umpteen previous transactions), and a development plot where you're the first person ever to have cared about its boundaries / covenants / access / service media / planning etc.

AdrianC

This would strike me as one of those "if you have to ask" questions.

As @user1977 says... is it on its own title already, which is just being transferred, or is it a new title or partial transfer?

flyer

It's on its own title 

GDB2222

I have done lots of self conveying in the past. It’s easy enough with the right book to follow. Whether it is worth it is another matter. These days, I use a solicitor.

Slithery

Will the vendor be using a solicitor? If so you'll need to use one as well as their solicitor will probably refuse to deal with you directly.

flyer

Slithery said:

Will the vendor be using a solicitor? If so you'll need to use one as well as their solicitor will probably refuse to deal with you directly.

Yes they will, but I don't believe they can refuse to deal with me. 

flyer

GDB2222 said:

I have done lots of self conveying in the past. It’s easy enough with the right book to follow. Whether it is worth it is another matter. These days, I use a solicitor.

It's not for financial reasons, I simply can't find one who is taking on new work at the moment!

user1977

flyer said:

Slithery said:

Will the vendor be using a solicitor? If so you'll need to use one as well as their solicitor will probably refuse to deal with you directly.

Yes they will, but I don't believe they can refuse to deal with me. 

Ideally they shouldn't, but I don't think there's anything prohibiting them from refusing to deal with you.

Slithery

flyer said:

Slithery said:

Will the vendor be using a solicitor? If so you'll need to use one as well as their solicitor will probably refuse to deal with you directly.

Yes they will, but I don't believe they can refuse to deal with me. 

Your belief is incorrect. Since money laundering regulations came in part of the buyers solicitors job is to confirm the source of funds. Saying to the vendors solicitor 'Don't worry, I've checked myself and it's all OK' doesn't tend to be believed.

I had this exact problem a few years ago and ended up having to use a solicitor. You can read my thread here...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5907529/self-conveyancing-an-auction-land-purchase

flyer

Slithery said:

flyer said:

Slithery said:

Will the vendor be using a solicitor? If so you'll need to use one as well as their solicitor will probably refuse to deal with you directly.

Yes they will, but I don't believe they can refuse to deal with me. 

Your belief is incorrect. Since money laundering regulations came in part of the buyers solicitors job is to confirm the source of funds. Saying to the vendors solicitor 'Don't worry, I've checked myself and it's all OK' doesn't tend to be believed.

I had this exact problem a few years ago and ended up having to use a solicitor. You can read my thread here...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5907529/self-conveyancing-an-auction-land-purchase

interesting thread, but if money laundering is the only issue, then I'm comfortable as funds are coming from my company which has been established a few years.