Property Solicitors in Manchester, Sale, and Chester
We handle all types of property matters – from buying your first home to complex commercial deals. Our property law firm understands that every transaction matters, whether you’re a homeowner, landlord or business owner.
You’ll get clear advice and regular updates. We’ve helped thousands of clients across Manchester, Sale Chester and the North West, and we’ll do the same for you.
Residential property – Whether you’re buying, selling or remortgaging, we handle all aspects of residential conveyancing across Manchester, Sale, Chester and the North West.
Buying a house – We guide you through the entire purchase, handling searches, contracts and completions so there are no nasty surprises.
Selling a house – From accepting an offer to completion, we take care of all the legal work and keep your sale moving forward.
First time buyers – Buying your first home can feel overwhelming. We explain each step in plain English and make sure your interests are protected.
Mortgages and remortgages – Switching lenders or releasing equity? We handle all the legal work efficiently, liaising with your lender to get everything sorted.
Leaseholds – We review lease terms, advise on extensions, and deal with freeholder issues so you know exactly where you stand.
Transfer of Equity – Adding or removing someone from your property title needs doing properly. We handle the legal transfer smoothly, whether it’s due to divorce, inheritance or bringing a partner onto the deeds.
For your business
Commercial property – From buying offices to negotiating leases, our property law firm handles transactions for businesses of all sizes.
Real estate finance – We act for lenders and borrowers, handling loan documentation, security arrangements and refinancing for property purchases and development projects.
Residential development – We guide developers through site acquisitions, planning agreements, construction contracts and sales with solicitors who understand the commercial realities.
Secured lending – When property is used as security for loans, we ensure the legal documentation protects all parties and the terms are fair.
How the property process works
Instruction and initial checks
Once you instruct us, we open your file and carry out identity and anti-money laundering checks. We’ll need proof of ID, address, and funding sources before we can start the legal work. This typically takes a few days. While some firms treat this as a formality, we’ve found that thorough checks now prevent last-minute completion delays when lenders query funding.
Due diligence and searches
We review all documents relating to the property – title deeds, contracts, leases, planning permissions. We carry out searches to uncover issues with the land, check for restrictions, and investigate anything that could affect your transaction. Searches usually take 2-4 weeks depending on the local authority. We raise enquiries with the other side’s solicitors about anything that needs clarifying. You don’t need to do anything at this stage except respond to any queries we have.
Report and contract negotiations
Once we’ve completed our investigations, we send you a detailed report explaining what we’ve found and what it means. We negotiate contract terms on your behalf and advise on any issues that have emerged. For purchases with mortgages or loans, we liaise with your lender to ensure they’re satisfied with the security.
Exchange and completion
When you’re ready to proceed, we exchange contracts – making the transaction legally binding. We then work towards completion, when ownership transfers and funds are sent. After completion, we handle Stamp Duty payments and register the transaction with the Land Registry.
Why choose Slater Heelis as your property solicitors
There’s no shortage of property law firms in Manchester, Sale and Chester. Here’s why clients across the North West and nationally trust us with their property matters.
Local expertise across all property transactions
We’ve been handling property work across Greater Manchester and Cheshire for years. Our property solicitors know the local market inside out – from residential purchases in Sale to commercial leases in Manchester city centre and development projects across Chester. Whether you’re buying your first home or negotiating a complex commercial deal, you’re working with solicitors who understand the local landscape.
Straightforward pricing and clear communication
We provide upfront quotes with no hidden extras. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying from day one, with a full breakdown of our charges and third-party costs. We believe you shouldn’t be surprised by unexpected bills halfway through a transaction. We also keep you informed throughout – you won’t be left chasing us for updates or wondering what’s happening.
Accredited and highly rated
We’re listed in The Times Best Law Firms 2026, recognising our commitment to delivering high-quality legal services. Our conveyancing team also holds the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation and we’re rated 4.9 out of 5 on ReviewSolicitors with over 1,600 five-star reviews. These come from keeping clients informed, returning calls promptly, and explaining things in plain English rather than legal jargon.
Approved by major lenders
We’re on virtually every major UK lender’s panel, which means we can act for both you and your mortgage provider. This streamlines transactions and avoids delays that can happen when lenders won’t accept certain firms. Whether you’re remortgaging, buying with a mortgage, or arranging development finance, we’ve got the panel memberships to keep things moving.
Whether you’re buying, selling, or dealing with commercial property matters, our property solicitors in Manchester, Sale and Chester are ready to help you move forward.
We’re based across Manchester, Sale and Chester with offices open for face-to-face meetings. We also work with clients throughout the UK, with appointments at other locations available when needed. We’ll keep you informed, work efficiently and get your transaction completed without adding to the stress.
"I just wanted to say Helen was absolutely superb from supporting me when I had an awful survey come back on my first house and pulling out of the sale. To finding my dream home, every step of the way Helen was there and always available to discuss any of my concerns.
Absolute credit to slater Heelis your a star!"
Neil
"I had spoken with four different solicitors who couldn’t help me . Slater and Heels were the only people who were straight on with the work needing to be done. They kept in touch through out and I felt confident they would get things sorted. They took a weight of my shoulders through a very difficult time , I can’t praise them enough."
Deeds
"FTBs. Helen was excellent, very proactive and on it, we never had to chase once. It always felt like she was advancing our best interests and was happy to explain or make recommendations (needed because we were doing this for the first time). Smooth transferral to Lisa who again handled everything efficiently. Excellent communication from both Helen and Lisa, speedy replies. Something we really appreciated was how nothing was urgent or last minute because Helen and Lisa always gave us a heads up well in advance so we could sort out whatever we needed to sort out/answer/arrange in plenty of time. Will definitely be using Slater Heelis (and hopefully Helen and Lisa) again, it made all the difference. Removed so much unnecessary stress because we could trust and rely on them.
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Frequently asked questions about property law firms
What does a property solicitor do?
Property solicitors handle the legal work involved in buying, selling, leasing or transferring property. This includes conducting searches, reviewing contracts, liaising with lenders, raising enquiries, exchanging contracts and registering ownership with the Land Registry. We also advise on property disputes, lease extensions, commercial transactions and development projects.
How much should a property solicitor cost?
If you’re buying, selling or remortgaging a property, you can generate an instant quote for our fees through our online calculator. Residential conveyancing typically costs between £800-£1,500 plus disbursements like search fees and Land Registry charges. For commercial property, development work or other property services, contact us to schedule a free consultation where we’ll discuss your requirements and provide estimated fees upfront.
Can you help with property or land outside Manchester?
Yes. While we’re based in Manchester, Sale and Chester, we handle property transactions across England and Wales. We’re on major lenders’ panels nationally and regularly act for clients buying or selling property throughout the UK. For commercial property or development work outside the North West, we can advise on the specific local considerations that apply.
What's the difference between residential and commercial property law?
Residential property law covers homes and domestic transactions – buying houses, flats, remortgaging. Commercial property law deals with business premises, investment properties, leases for offices or retail units, and development projects. Commercial transactions typically involve more complex negotiations, longer leases, and different tax and regulatory considerations than residential purchases.
What's the difference between freehold and leasehold?
Freehold means you own the property and the land it sits on outright with no time limit. Leasehold means you own the property for a fixed period (the lease term) but not the land – you pay ground rent to the freeholder. Leasehold is common for flats. Leaseholds can be extended, but this involves legal processes and costs that freehold properties don’t have.
When should I instruct a property solicitor?
Instruct a solicitor as soon as your offer is accepted (for purchases) or you accept an offer (for sales). Early instruction means we can start searches and gather information immediately, preventing delays. For commercial property or development projects, instruct us before making offers so we can advise on due diligence and negotiate terms from the outset.
How long does conveyancing take?
Residential conveyancing typically takes 8-12 weeks from instruction to completion, though this varies depending on the property, searches, chains and mortgage arrangements. Straightforward remortgages can complete in 3-4 weeks. Commercial transactions often take longer due to additional due diligence and lease negotiations. We’ll give you realistic timescales based on your specific transaction when you instruct us.
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