Do I Need A Solicitor

[sigma]

I have a property to sell with no other purchase involved.Do I need a solicitor or can I just sell it through an estate agent.

[Peter Pedant]

There is no law that you need a solicitor to transfer land in England.

[ like there is a law that says the transfer must be written and not oral ]

The estate agent is probably employing a licensed conveyancer ( law bod that only does land transfer ) and I use them a lot - I find the service good. Others of course ( as they would say with solicitors or barristers ) have had less wonderful service

I wouldnt use anyone 'lower' than a licensed conveyancer - like the estate agents wife who does a bit on the side - or mrs slopp up the road - or even yourself ( but people have done all these things ) as that is more prone to future issues

[buildersmate]

Agree with PP, but do not assume estate agents licensed conveyancer will be cheaper. Know of a case in the last month where estate agent has quoted £595 as the raw fee, whereas by phoning around the equivalent service was got for £295.

[Peter Pedant]

agree BM
clearly it is a market and you need to phone around

[tamborine]

DIY by downloading AP1 here for change of ownership at Land Registry.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/change-the-register-ap1