Yes, you need a conveyancer if you are remortgaging to a new lender. No, you do not need one if you are only switching deals with your current lender. The legal work is triggered by the change of lender, not by the remortgage itself. The rest of this article explains what the conveyancer actually does, what it costs, and what can slow the process down.
Table of Contents
- Do you need a solicitor to remortgage with a new lender?
- Can you remortgage without a conveyancer if you stay with the same lender?
- What does a conveyancer actually do when you remortgage?
- How much does a conveyancer charge for a remortgage?
- How long does conveyancing take on a remortgage?
- What can cause delays during remortgage conveyancing?
- Can Andrew Westwood Mortgage Broker help with the remortgage process?
- Key Takeaways
- References
Do you need a solicitor to remortgage with a new lender?
Yes. Moving to a different lender means legal work has to be completed by a conveyancer, and you cannot remortgage to a new lender without one. According to Lloyds Bank, a conveyancer takes care of the legal work when you remortgage, including identity checks and relevant searches.
The conveyancer also transfers money from your new mortgage lender to your old lender. Your new lender may appoint a conveyancer to do the legal work, or you can choose your own. Either way, the legal work happens before the remortgage can complete.
In everyday conversation, people often say "solicitor" when they mean "conveyancer". Both can handle a remortgage. A licensed conveyancer is equally acceptable for this type of work, so you do not need to instruct a full solicitor unless you prefer to.
Can you remortgage without a conveyancer if you stay with the same lender?
No, you do not need a conveyancer if you are completing a product transfer with your existing lender. A product transfer is when you switch to a new deal with the same lender without moving the mortgage elsewhere. According to Lloyds Bank, you will not need a conveyancer in this situation.
The key distinction is that the change of lender triggers the legal work, not the act of remortgaging itself. If the lender stays the same, there is no new legal charge to register and no old mortgage to redeem.
There is a grey area worth checking. If you stay with the same lender but borrow more money, the legal position can differ depending on the lender and the amount. Do not assume no conveyancer is needed. Ask the lender or your broker before proceeding.
What does a conveyancer actually do when you remortgage?
A conveyancer handles the legal steps that allow one lender to replace another on your property title. The first practical step is requesting a redemption statement from your current lender. According to Lloyds Bank, this statement outlines what is left to pay on your existing mortgage.
The conveyancer also checks the Land Registry to confirm you are the legal owner of the property you want to remortgage. This protects the new lender and confirms there is no obvious title problem before money moves.
The conveyancer then transfers funds from the new lender to the old one. They also arrange signing of the mortgage deed, which needs to be signed in the presence of a witness. Electronic signing may be possible in some cases.
Finally, the conveyancer contacts the Land Registry to register your new mortgage and update the title deed with details of your new lender. This final registration step can take time, but it does not hold up your completion date.
How much does a conveyancer charge for a remortgage?
Conveyancing fees for a remortgage tend to average around £300, according to Lloyds Bank. On top of that, Land Registry update costs are roughly £20 to £65. A copy of the title deeds costs around £3 to £12.
Some lenders cover the legal fees when you remortgage to them. A lender-appointed conveyancer may be offered as part of a free legal package, while choosing your own conveyancer usually means paying the fee yourself.
There is an honest trade-off here. Free legal work keeps upfront costs down, but a lender-appointed conveyancer works for the lender's process. Choosing your own conveyancer gives you more direct control and a named person to chase. Neither option is automatically better; it depends on how much you value cost versus control.
How long does conveyancing take on a remortgage?
The remortgage conveyancing process usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks from instruction to completion, according to Lloyds Bank. This is the typical timeline for a straightforward freehold remortgage.
Leasehold properties need extra checks, which could take a little longer. The conveyancer may need to contact the freeholder or managing agent for information, and that adds time.
The Land Registry update can take a few months, or longer if there is a backlog of requests or the property is leasehold. This delay does not affect your completion date. Your new mortgage is in place once completion happens; the register update is an administrative step that follows.
What can cause delays during remortgage conveyancing?
Incomplete, inaccurate or missing paperwork is a common cause of delay. According to Lloyds Bank, slow communication between parties also slows the process down.
The practical steps are simple. Respond quickly to requests from your conveyancer or broker. Have your ID and documents ready before the process starts. Ask what is outstanding rather than waiting to be told.
Most delays are avoidable with prompt replies. The legal work itself is usually straightforward, but it depends on people returning forms, confirming details, and providing the right paperwork at the right time.
Can Andrew Westwood Mortgage Broker help with the remortgage process?
Yes. I search the whole of the market when reviewing your remortgage options, and part of that review includes checking whether a lender covers the legal fees. Some lenders offer free basic conveyancing when you remortgage to them, while others leave you to pay around £300 plus Land Registry costs. The lender choice affects the total cost, not just the interest rate.
I provide one-to-one support from the first conversation through to completion. That includes explaining what the conveyancer will need from you, what the redemption statement means, and what happens at each stage. You deal with one named person rather than a call centre.
My remortgage advice service covers rate reviews, affordability, and the practical steps that follow once you choose a lender. If you are weighing up a product transfer against a move to a new lender, I can explain the trade-offs in plain English, including whether a conveyancer will be needed.
Key Takeaways
- If you remortgage to a new lender, you must use a conveyancer; it is not optional.
- A product transfer with your existing lender does not require a conveyancer.
- Conveyancing fees for a remortgage tend to average around £300, with Land Registry costs of about £20 to £65 on top.
- Some lenders cover basic legal fees when you remortgage to them.
- Remortgage conveyancing usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.
- The Land Registry update can lag by months but does not delay your completion date.
- Missing or inaccurate paperwork and slow communication are the main causes of conveyancing delays.