Residential Conveyancing Solicitors in Manchester, Sale & Chester
Buying or selling a house comes with enough stress without worrying about the legal side falling apart. We spot problems early, work efficiently, and get you moving without unnecessary delays.
Our residential conveyancing solicitors in Sale, Manchester, and Chester handle the full range of property transactions. We protect your interests and make sure you understand exactly what’s happening at every stage.
Buying property
Buying a house involves reviewing contracts, ordering searches, raising enquiries with the seller’s solicitor, and dealing with Stamp Duty Land Tax. We advise on leasehold properties, new builds, listed buildings, shared ownership schemes and Help to Buy purchases. If you’re a first-time buyer, we break the process down into clear stages and keep you informed throughout.
Selling property
Selling your house means managing the legal process efficiently. Our residential conveyancing team handles contract drafting, buyer enquiries, and mortgage redemptions. We coordinate with estate agents, buyers’ solicitors and lenders to keep things moving and protect your position.
Remortgaging and equity changes
Switching your mortgage to get a better deal should be straightforward. Our conveyancing solicitors work with all major UK lenders and we’re on multiple lending panels. If you need to change who’s on your property deeds, our transfer of equity service handles the legal work and Land Registry registration.
Leasehold services
When buying a leasehold property, our conveyancing solicitors review lease terms, check lease length, clarify ground rent and service charges, and explain your maintenance responsibilities. We also handle lease extensions, negotiating with freeholders to protect your property value.
Please note: Slater Heelis does not currently undertake any work relating to the Building Safety Act. If a property is located in a block with more than 4 storeys or the block is higher than 11 metres, we will be unable to act on your behalf.
We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to review your property specifications thoroughly before enquiring.
Our video, presented by Partner, Zara Banday, outlines the wide range of services we provide…
How the residential conveyancing process works
Buying or selling property involves multiple stages. Knowing what to expect reduces the stress. Here’s what happens when you instruct our conveyancing solicitors.
Initial instructions
When buying, we request the draft contract and title deeds from the seller’s solicitor. When selling, we draft the contract pack and send it to the buyer’s solicitor. Most clients receive their initial paperwork within 24 hours of instructing us.
Property searches and enquiries
For buyers, we order local authority searches to check for planning permissions, building control issues, and environmental concerns, then raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitor. For sellers, we respond to the buyer’s enquiries and provide any additional information requested. This stage typically takes two to four weeks.
Reporting and review
When buying, we send you a detailed report explaining what we’ve found and liaise with your mortgage lender. When selling, we keep you updated on any enquiries and any issues raised. From our experience, thorough reviews at this stage prevent costly surprises later – we’ve seen transactions collapse because firms missed crucial details.
Exchange of contracts
When both parties are satisfied, we arrange exchange. You’ll sign the contract, buyers pay the deposit (usually 10%), and both sides agree a completion date. The transaction becomes legally binding at this point.
Completion and registration
On completion day, funds are transferred and keys are released. For buyers, we register the property in your name at the Land Registry and pay any Stamp Duty due. For sellers, we pay off your mortgage and transfer the remaining proceeds to you.
Why choose Slater Heelis for residential conveyancing
There’s no shortage of conveyancing solicitors in Chester, Manchester and Sale. Here’s why clients trust us with their property transactions:
Local expertise that keeps your move on track
We’ve been helping clients across Greater Manchester and Cheshire with their property moves for years. Our conveyancing team knows the local property market inside out, from Manchester city centre apartments to Chester conservation areas and everything in between.
Transparent, fixed-fee pricing
We provide clear, upfront quotes with no hidden extras through our online conveyancing fee calculator. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for from day one, with a full breakdown of our charges and third-party costs. We believe you shouldn’t worry about unexpected bills when you’re managing the cost of moving home.
Highly rated by clients
Our conveyancing team is rated 4.9 out of 5 on ReviewSolicitors with over 1,600 five-star reviews and we’re accredited with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). This rating and accreditation come from keeping clients informed, returning calls promptly, and explaining things in plain English. You won’t be left chasing us for updates or left wondering what’s happening with your transaction.
Approved by every major mortgage lender
We’re on virtually every major UK lender’s panel, which means we can represent both you and your mortgage provider. This streamlines the process and avoids delays. Many online conveyancing services aren’t on sufficient lending panels, causing problems when lenders won’t accept them. With us, that’s not an issue.
Now you understand the conveyancing process and how we can help, it’s time to take the next step. Our residential conveyancing teams in Sale, Manchester, and Chester are ready to handle your property transaction.
Our offices in Manchester, Sale, and Chester are open for face-to-face meetings, and we also work with clients across the UK, with meetings at other locations available by appointment. We’ll keep you informed, work efficiently and get you moved without adding to the stress.
"Fantastic conveyancing – Fast and efficient. I was kept informed of proceedings throughout. Ian Donnison was extremely professional and also personable. The admin staff were always pleasant and polite and all telephone calls returned promptly. Thank you for making the last part of my house sale run smoothly."
Sarah
"We highly recommend Helen & Lisa who acted totally professionally and efficiently with the sale and purchase of our properties.
They were very helpful and efficient , updating us at regular intervals.
They have your best interests throughout .
Thankyou Helen & Lisa we wish you both well."
Keith & Iris
"From start to completion, David Jones and his team provided an extraordinary level of support and professionalism during my home-buying process. Their clear and timely communication reassured me at every step—no question was too small, and I was never left wondering what came next. When unforeseen challenges arose, their problem-solving skills and steady composure turned potential stress into calm confidence. Their deep knowledge of conveyancing and attention to detail made what could have been a daunting experience feel smooth and straightforward. I am so grateful for their guidance, expertise, and genuine care. I couldn’t have asked for a better legal team when purchasing our new home."
Pranabesh
Frequently Asked Questions about residential conveyancing
What is conveyancing?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from one person to another. It involves reviewing contracts, conducting property searches, raising enquiries, exchanging contracts, and registering the new owner with the Land Registry. A conveyancing solicitor handles all the legal work to protect your interests and ensure the transaction completes properly.
How long does conveyancing take?
For a straightforward purchase with no chain, residential conveyancing typically takes eight to twelve weeks from instruction to completion. If you’re in a chain, it usually takes twelve to sixteen weeks. Remortgaging is faster, often completed within four to six weeks. Timeframes depend on local authority search speeds and whether any issues arise that need resolving.
How much does residential conveyancing cost?
Residential conveyancing costs include our legal fees plus disbursements like local authority searches, Land Registry fees, and Stamp Duty Land Tax. Our fees are fixed and transparent, so you know exactly what you’re paying from the start. Use our online conveyancing fee calculator for an instant quote based on your property value and transaction type.
What does a conveyancer check?
A conveyancer checks the property’s legal title, reviews contracts, orders local authority searches for planning and building control issues, raises enquiries about the property, reviews mortgage offers, checks for restrictions or covenants on the title, and ensures there are no legal problems that could affect your ownership. We identify issues early and advise on any concerns.
Do I need a conveyancer or can I do it myself?
Legally, you can handle your own conveyancing, but we strongly advise against it. Conveyancing involves complex legal documents, detailed searches, and technical Land Registry requirements. Missing something could cost thousands or leave you with a property that’s difficult to sell. A professional conveyancer provides protection and peace of mind.
What’s the difference between freehold and leasehold?
Freehold means you own the property and the land it stands on outright. Leasehold means you own the property for a fixed period but not the land – you’re leasing it from the freeholder. Leasehold is common for flats and involves ground rent and service charges. We carefully review lease terms, check remaining lease length, and advise on any concerns.
What searches do I need when buying a property?
Standard searches include local authority searches for planning, building control, and environmental issues, water and drainage searches, and environmental searches covering contaminated land and flooding risks. Depending on location, we might recommend coal mining reports, chancel repair liability searches, or commons registration searches. We’ll advise you on which searches are necessary for your property.
Do I need a local conveyancer?
You don’t legally need a local conveyancer, but local knowledge helps. Our conveyancing solicitors in Manchester, Sale, and Chester understand local property markets, know which searches are essential for the area, and have relationships with local estate agents and lenders. However, we work with clients across the UK, combining local expertise with national service standards for residential conveyancing.
Do I need a conveyancer if I’m a cash buyer?
Yes, even cash buyers need a conveyancing solicitor. You still need property searches, contract reviews, title checks, and Land Registry registration. Cash buyers actually need extra protection since there’s no mortgage lender conducting their own checks. We ensure the property is legally sound and your investment is protected, regardless of how you’re funding the purchase.
What is exchange of contracts?
Exchange of contracts is when the transaction becomes legally binding for both buyer and seller. You sign the contract, pay your deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price), and agree a completion date. After exchange, neither party can withdraw without facing financial penalties. We coordinate the exchange between solicitors and confirm everything immediately.
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