Conveyancing: buying a garage

[CoddledAsAMommet]

Hi. We're trying to buy a garage. The owner doesn't want to use a solicitor but transfer the deeds to us on receipt of payment.
His plan is for us to sign a document in front of witnesses to state our intentions.
How do we make sure he's the legal owner, and how would he transfer ownership into our name once he has the money? Should this be straightforward? Many thanks!

Use a solicitor

You can do it yourself through land registry but I wouldn't- it's a nightmare waiting to happen.

Thanks all, this is what I suspected. Any idea of the ballpark for what a solicitor may cost?
I don't even know how to find a solicitor!

Any conveyancing solicitor can do this, probably around 450ish, ask for a fixed price.

You need the address or title number to check ownership. Go to HM land registry and do a search. Costs 2 pound or it might be 4 now. In order to transfer the title it needs to be conveyed and I wouldnt touch anything without instructing a solicitor. It is possible to do it yourself but to be honest it sounds a bit dodgy.

Thank you so much. Solicitor it is!

He doesn’t have to use a solicitor just because you do. Most definitely instruct a solicitor.