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Conveyancing Solicitors in London
Whether you are buying your first flat in Hackney, selling a family home in Richmond, or remortgaging a property in Croydon, Bird & Co provides expert conveyancing support across every London borough. Our CQS and Lexcel accredited solicitors handle residential property transactions throughout North, South, East and West London, combining the convenience of online service with the expertise of qualified property lawyers.
We understand that London property transactions involve significant financial commitments and tight timescales. That is why we offer fixed fee conveyancing with no hidden costs, direct contact with your assigned solicitor, and a transparent process from instruction to completion. With over 1,000 reviews and a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot, our clients consistently praise our communication and professionalism.
Get an instant conveyancing quote and see exactly what your London property transaction will cost.
Why Choose Bird & Co for Your London Conveyancing?
Choosing the right solicitor for a London property transaction matters. With property values typically higher than the national average and a large proportion of leasehold flats, you need solicitors who understand the specific requirements of the London market.
What sets Bird & Co apart:
- Fixed fee conveyancing – The price we quote is the price you pay. No surprises at completion.
- Direct solicitor contact – Speak directly with your assigned solicitor, not a call centre. You will have their direct email and phone number.
- CQS and Lexcel accredited – Recognised quality standards that many mortgage lenders require.
- Online convenience, qualified expertise – Manage your transaction digitally while working with fully qualified solicitors (not just licensed conveyancers).
- Leasehold specialists – Essential for London where the majority of flats are leasehold.
- Responsive communication – We keep you informed at every stage and respond promptly to your questions.
Do I need a London-based solicitor?
No. Conveyancing is conducted remotely through electronic communications with the Land Registry, local authorities, and other solicitors. What matters is your solicitor’s expertise, responsiveness, and the quality of their service, not their physical proximity to the property. Many clients find that online conveyancing firms offer better value and more convenient communication than traditional high street practices.
Our Conveyancing Services in London
We provide comprehensive conveyancing services for all types of residential property transactions across London:
Buying a property
Full legal support from offer acceptance to receiving your keys, including all searches, contract review, and liaison with your mortgage lender.
Selling a property
Preparation of the contract pack, responding to buyer enquiries, and managing the legal transfer through to completion.
Buying and selling simultaneously
Coordinated handling of linked transactions to align exchange and completion dates across your chain.
Remortgaging
Legal work required when switching mortgage lenders or releasing equity from your London property.
Transfer of equity
Adding or removing someone from property ownership, whether due to relationship changes, inheritance planning, or other circumstances.
Leasehold transactions
Specialist handling for flats and apartments, including lease review, management company enquiries, and ground rent assessment. Given that most London flats are leasehold, this expertise is essential.
New build purchases
Managing the specific requirements of buying from developers, including snagging provisions and developer warranties.
Auction purchases
Fast-turnaround conveyancing to meet the strict 28-day completion deadline for auction properties. We offer legal pack reviews before you bid.
Shared ownership
Acting for buyers purchasing through shared ownership schemes, common in London’s affordable housing programmes.
For detailed information on any service, contact us or explore our service pages.
The Conveyancing Process
Understanding what happens during conveyancing helps you plan your move with confidence. Here is how a typical London property purchase progresses:
1. Instruction and initial work (Week 1–2)
Once your offer is accepted, you instruct us as your solicitors. We send you our client care letter, verify your identity, and request the contract pack from the seller’s solicitors. We also request your mortgage offer (if applicable) and begin preparing your file.
2. Searches and enquiries (Week 2–5)
We order local authority searches, environmental searches, and any other searches appropriate for your London property. For London transactions, searches typically include checks with the relevant borough council. We review the contract pack and raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitors about anything requiring clarification.
3. Contract review and report (Week 4–7)
We review all search results and the seller’s responses to enquiries. We prepare your report on title, explaining what you are buying and flagging any issues. For leasehold properties, this includes detailed analysis of the lease terms, service charges, and any upcoming major works.
4. Exchange of contracts (Week 6–10)
Once you are satisfied and your mortgage offer is in place, we agree a completion date with all parties. On exchange, contracts become legally binding. You pay your deposit (typically 10%) and are committed to the purchase.
5. Pre-completion (Week 7–11)
We prepare completion documents, request your mortgage funds, and prepare a financial statement showing exactly what you need to pay. We calculate stamp duty land tax and ensure all funds are in place.
6. Completion (Week 8–12)
We transfer the purchase funds, receive confirmation from the seller’s solicitors, and the property is yours. We register your ownership with the Land Registry and send you the completed documentation.
How long does conveyancing take in London?
Most straightforward transactions complete within 8–12 weeks from instruction. However, London transactions can face delays due to leasehold complexities, lengthy chains, or management company response times. We work proactively to keep your transaction moving and will alert you immediately if issues arise.
Our Conveyancing Fees
Transparent pricing is central to how we work. When you request a quote, you receive a complete breakdown of our legal fees and the disbursements (third-party costs) involved in your transaction.
Our fees include:
- All legal work from instruction to completion
- Liaison with your mortgage lender
- Land Registry registration
- Electronic ID verification
- Bank transfer fees
Disbursements (third-party costs) typically include:
- Local authority search (London borough councils)
- Environmental search
- Water and drainage search
- Land Registry fees
- Stamp Duty Land Tax (see below)
Stamp Duty Land Tax in London
Given London’s property values, stamp duty is a significant consideration. Following the April 2025 changes, the thresholds are:
- Standard purchases: 0% on the first £125,000, then 2% up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5 million, 12% above.
- First-time buyers: 0% on the first £300,000 for properties up to £500,000. No relief available for properties over £500,000.
- Additional properties: 5% surcharge applies from the first pound.
For a typical London purchase at £500,000, a standard buyer pays £12,500 in stamp duty. A first-time buyer purchasing at the same price pays £10,000.
We handle your stamp duty calculation and payment as part of our service.
No hidden costs
The fee we quote is the fee you pay for our legal work. If unexpected complications arise (such as defective title issues requiring resolution), we discuss any additional costs with you before proceeding.
Conveyancing Across London
Bird & Co provides conveyancing services throughout Greater London, covering all 32 boroughs plus the City of London. Whether your property is in the inner city or outer suburbs, we handle transactions in:
North London – Including Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington
South London – Including Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham, Southwark, Wandsworth
East London – Including Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Hackney, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest
West London – Including Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames
Central London – Including Westminster, City of London
Our service is identical regardless of location. Local authority searches are ordered from the relevant borough council, and we are familiar with the specific requirements of London’s various councils and their response times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Conveyancing in London
How much does conveyancing cost in London?
Our online quote tool gives you a fixed-fee figure in just a few minutes – covering legal fees plus disbursements (searches, Land Registry fees). Stamp duty is the largest additional cost for most London buyers, and we calculate this for you as part of your quote. Get your personalised quote to see exactly what your London property transaction will cost.
How long does conveyancing take in London?
Allow 8–12 weeks for a straightforward transaction. Leasehold properties often take longer due to management company enquiries. Chain transactions depend on all parties being ready simultaneously. We cannot control other solicitors’ speed, but we ensure our work never causes delays.
Do I need a London-based solicitor for my conveyancing?
No. All conveyancing communication happens electronically. There is no requirement to meet your solicitor in person. What matters is their expertise, their responsiveness, and whether they are accredited by relevant bodies (such as CQS for conveyancing quality). Many clients choose Bird & Co specifically because we combine competitive fixed fees with qualified solicitor expertise.
What searches are needed for London properties?
Standard searches include: local authority search (from your specific borough council), environmental search, water and drainage search, and Land Registry searches. For some London properties, additional searches may be advisable depending on location, such as flood risk or contaminated land searches for properties near industrial areas or waterways.
How does leasehold conveyancing work?
Most London flats are leasehold, meaning you own the property for a fixed term but not the land beneath it. Leasehold conveyancing involves additional work: reviewing the lease terms, checking remaining lease length (below 80 years can affect mortgage availability), obtaining management pack information from the freeholder or managing agent, reviewing service charge history and any planned major works, and checking ground rent terms (escalating ground rents can cause issues). We have extensive experience with leasehold properties and will explain any concerns in plain English.
What happens if I am buying at auction?
Auction purchases require completion within 28 days of the auction (sometimes 14 days). We offer pre-auction legal pack reviews so you know what you are bidding on. Once you win, we work intensively to complete within the deadline. Contact us before the auction to discuss your requirements.
Get Started with Your London Conveyancing
Ready to begin your property transaction? We make starting simple.
Get an instant quote
Use our online quote tool for an immediate, detailed breakdown of costs for your specific transaction.
Speak to our team
Call us on 0800 464 0822 to discuss your requirements with our conveyancing team.
Request a callback
Complete our enquiry form and we will call you back at a time that suits you.
Whether you are a first-time buyer navigating the London market, selling to move out of the city, or an experienced property investor, Bird & Co provides the expert conveyancing support you need. Fixed fees, direct solicitor contact, and a commitment to keeping you informed throughout.