Find a Lender-Approved Local Conveyancer in Dorset

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There is a good reason why you won’t find people saying “if only I would have chosen a cheap web based firm”! Go local - instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Dorset

Reasons to use our Dorset conveyancing solicitors

  • 1 Retaining the services of a local Solicitor generally results in a more bespoke service. When using a large conveyancing firm, your transaction is handled by a team of people who check what is happening on the file by determining whether the ‘computers says no’.
  • 2 This site is the first site that enables you the ability to check that your property ownership legalities in Dorset will be conducted by a property lawyer on your lender’s member panel.
  • 3 No matter what any other companies tell you it may be necessary to pop into your conveyancer to sign legal papers. There are enough parties engaged in a homemove without needing to add the postman into the mix.
  • 4 Low cost packages from online conveyancers might seem attractive. However, these organisations are often located many miles away with little understanding of the factors that affect property transactions in Dorset
  • 5 The Dorset conveyancing practitioners that are identified are committed to providing value for money, efficient and accessible conveyancing service to borrowers, sellers and investors in Dorset

Examples of recent conveyancing in Dorset since October 2025*

Recently asked questions about conveyancing in Dorset

Why would I use a Dorset conveyancing solicitors firm given that internet based alternatives are so much cheaper?

Its a good idea to get 2 or 3 like-for-like quotes for conveyancing costs in Dorset and you should seek an affordable quote but don’t waste your energy getting the cheapest Dorset conveyancer. Finding the right conveyancer can mark the distinction between a seamless and a distressing house move. You need to ensure that you have expert guidance from a specialist lawyer. An e-mail can never be as helpful as a phone call and are no substitute for a face to face consultation. The firms that we work with will allocate you a qualified and trusted conveyancing solicitor who can deal with your conveyancing from from the outset to completion, providing a level of hand holding that you will never get with an web based conveyancer. He or She will inform you as to headway and keep you informed. Should you need to contact the firm you will know who to ask for and we'll ensure you're not left wondering what's going on.

The owners of the house we are hoping to buy hired a conveyancing solicitor in Dorset who has suggested a lock out agreement with a deposit two thousand pounds. Are such agreements generally advanced for Dorset conveyancing transactions?

Exclusivity agreements are contracts between a property seller and purchaser giving the buyer exclusive rights to purchase the premises within a prescribed time frame. For all intents and purposes, an exclusivity is a document stating that you will have a contract at a later time which is the main conveyancing contract. It tends to be utilised for buyer protection though in many situations, the proprietor may enjoy an upside from such agreements as well. There are various positives and negatives to using them but you should to check with your lawyer but note that it may end up incurring extra in conveyancing charges. For this these contracts are rare in relation to conveyancing in Dorset.

I purchased a freehold residence in Dorset but still pay rent, why is this and what is this?

It’s unusual for properties in Dorset and has limited impact for conveyancing in Dorset but some freehold properties in England (particularly common in North West England) pay an annual sum known as a Chief Rent or a Rentcharge to a third party who has no other legal interest in the land.

Rentcharge payments are usually between £2.00 and £5.00 per year. Rentcharges have existed for hundreds of years, but the Rent Charge Act 1977 barred the creation of new rentcharges from 1977 onwards.

Old rentcharges can now be redeemed by making a one off payment under the Act. Any rentcharges that are still in existence in 2037 will be extinguished.

My grandfather passed away 10 months ago and as sole heir and executor I was left the house in Dorset. The house had a small mortgage left on it of around £5k. I want to have the title changed into my name whilst I re-mortgage to Kent Reliance, pay off the mortgage. Is this allowed?

Given you intend to refinance then Kent Reliance will insist on your using a conveyancer on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your Kent Reliance conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the Kent Reliance mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.

My wife and I are downsizing from our house in Dorset and according to the buyers it appears that there is a risk of it being built on contaminated land. Any local lawyer would know this is not the case. It does beg the question why the buyers instructed a web based conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Dorset. Having lived in Dorset for three years we know of no issue. Do we get in touch with our local Authority to get confirmation need.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing lawyer currently acting for you. What do they say? You need to enquire of your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same ailment)

How does conveyancing in Dorset differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in Dorset approach us having been asked by the housebuilder to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the residence is ready to move into. This is because house builders in Dorset tend to purchase the site, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancers as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are accustomed to new build conveyancing in Dorset or who has acted in the same development.

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Residential Landlord and Tenant Conveyancing solicitors in Dorset

The firms listed below are a non-comprehensive list of solicitors in Dorset specialising in landlord and tenant law and on the regulations governing different types of tenancies. This could include advice on Service charge disputes

  • Blackburn & Co, Wessex Chambers, 33 Trinity Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1TT
  • Sarah Grant Solicitors, First Floor, 28 Trinity Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1TT
  • Humphries Kirk Executor & Trustee Company, 40 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UR
  • Bpl Solicitors Limited, Mey House, Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3QY

Commercial Conveyancing solicitors in Dorset regulated by the SRA

The firms listed below are a non-comprehensive list of solicitors in Dorset practicing in commercial conveyancing in Dorset. This could include advice on re-mortgaging commercial property
  • Sarah Grant Solicitors, First Floor, 28 Trinity Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1TT
  • Humphries Kirk Executor & Trustee Company, 40 High West Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1UR
  • Bpl Solicitors Limited, Mey House, Bridport Road, Poundbury, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 3QY

Sale conveyancing in Dorset ordinarily comprises the following:

  • Property lawyer instructed by the owners on acceptance of the offer
  • Investigating the title to the property
  • Preparing contract and associated documents
  • Submitting draft papers to the lawyer retained by the purchaser
  • Negotiating contracts and answering additional queries from the purchaser’s lawyer
  • Finalising the transfer document
  • Replying to requisitions raised by the purchaser’s lawyer
  • Carrying out the key stage of exchanging contracts and then preparing for completion
  • Accepting the sale proceeds and wiring funds to the seller, the estate agent and paying off the mortgage (where appropriate)

Neighboring Locations

Blandford Forum
Dorchester
Poundbury
Dorset
Weymouth
Wool

*Source acknowledgement: House price data produced by Land Registry as well data supplied by Lexsure Ltd.

© Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of Land Registry under delegated authority from the Controller of HMSO.