Selling house. Do I have to organise a solicitor?

[ItsSummer]

I’m so clueless.

I’ve got an estate agent and it’s on the market, but what next?

Do I need to provide old paperwork documents? Do I even have them? I vaguely remember using solicitors when buying...

I don’t have a clue. I’m hoping that the wise and experienced can help!

Yes, or a conveyancer. I wouldn’t use the one the estate agent suggests, get a local recommendation. Depending on when you bought the house the solicitor can get the title from the land registry. You will need to fill In a questionnaire (enquiries) and would be sensible to have your mortgage, council tax, utilities and any service records or guarantees for work handy as you’ll need these later in the process.

Once you have a buyer, then you need to pick a solicitor.

Though it can be worth phoning a few up in the meanwhile and asking what their conveyancing charges are so you have some quotes to go with.

Best piece of advice I've always been given is pick a local trusted solicitor when the time comes rather than some random one recommended by the estate agent or mortgage company (they often recommend them because they get paid for the referral rather than because the solicitor is any good). Also it can save massive amounts of time having a local solicitor so you can pop in to sign stuff and drop documents off etc rather than having to constantly wait on things to arrive in the post.

As for old paperwork, it's worth digging up bits like your boiler service history and any buildings certificates for windows, extensions etc as you will generally be asked for this stuff when conveyancing starts.

Yes you should always have a soliciter. Property fraud is rife and without one you may find yourself signing over the property and not receiving any money.

yes.

don't use the one recommended by the agent - you'll be paying for the kickback.
don't use an online conveyancing firm that seem really cheap.
get quotes from the local firms but remember a lot of the high street dinosaurs are really pricey. They can also be bone idle, playing on the 'fear of professionals' thing - you see it a lot on here, women who don't like to chase the solicitor or ask questions WHEN THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR!

solicitor does not have to be local, unlike surveyor. Ask what delegation happens if your contact is on holiday or ill. Ask about turnaround times for documents. Find out what fees get repeated if the transaction falls through. Ask about any extras; if they charge for photocopying, go elsewhere.

Thank you. I’d best get looking then.

We're moving a long distance, so won’t be able to pop in anyway. Was sorting through paperwork and suddenly remembered something about solicitors...

@GrumpyHoonMain it's actually more of a risk for the buyer that the "seller" doesn't own the property. The buyers aren't allowed into the property until the seller's solicitor has their money.

Get your ID ready as well OP. That's one of the first things you'll be asked for.