Consumers ‘should consult solicitors over conveyancing’

Posted 10/02/2010

Those looking to move house should look to consult solicitors over the residential conveyancing process.

This is the advice of housing expert Sam Dunn of the Independent, who stated that taking professional advice when sorting out the documentation relating to a move can be crucial to avoiding complications.

He reminded consumers that residential conveyancing can be a “complex tangle” due to the need to organise matters such as council planning, leasehold issues and completion dates.

Mr Dunn added that solicitors can help to protect against errors in documentation which lead to issues such as major building works or road widening being overlooked.

He said: “You would be held responsible if the buyer were to take legal action … A solicitor or licensed conveyancer would at least be covered by a professional negligence insurance policy.”

This echoes advice provided by the Law Society last year, which called for consumers to consult lawyers over conveyancing in order to avoid errors and unnecessary confusion.