Do you need a solicitor to remortgage?

If you’re remortgaging to a new lender, you’ll need a conveyancer to complete the necessary legal work. 

Learn more about the conveyancing process when remortgaging and the costs involved. 

The headlines

  • A conveyancer takes care of the legal work when you remortgage, such as identity checks and relevant searches.
  • Your conveyancer will transfer money from your new mortgage lender to your old lender.
  • Some lenders cover the legal fees when you remortgage to them.

In this guide

Why do you need a conveyancer when you remortgage?

What does a conveyancer do in the remortgage process?

How much does a conveyancer charge for a remortgage?

Remortgaging to Lloyds

Frequently asked questions

Why do you need a conveyancer when remortgaging?

When you remortgage your home, you pay off your existing mortgage and take out a new deal with a new lender. This process usually involves several legal steps, from title checks to fund transfers and registering your new mortgage with the Land Registry. This is the work you need a conveyancer for.

Your new lender may appoint a conveyancer to do the legal work or you can choose your own.

What does a conveyancer do in the remortgage process?

1. Carries out identity checks

First things first, your conveyancer will usually ask you to supply your ID and proof of address. This helps them verify the identity of each person on the mortgage and property deeds.

2. Reviews your redemption statement

Your conveyancer will also request a redemption statement for your existing mortgage from your current lender. This document outlines what is left to pay on your mortgage.

If you’re wanting to contribute any extra money to pay off part of your mortgage, you can let your conveyancer know at this stage. They’ll usually ask for proof of financial means, such as a bank statement, to check the money is from a legitimate source.

3. Arranges any relevant searches

The conveyancer also carries out any relevant searches. For example, they will check the Land Registry to confirm you are the legal owner of the property you want to remortgage. you are the legal owner of the property you want to remortgage.

Remortgaging a leasehold property? Further conveyancer checks might be needed, which could take a little longer. 

4. Prepares your new mortgage deed

At this stage, the conveyancer will check the details of your remortgage offer. It is important you do the same and understand what you're agreeing to. They might also raise any issues with your new lender, on your behalf. 

If you’re happy, the conveyancer will ask you to sign the deed for your new mortgage, which needs to be signed in the presence of a witness (though it might be possible to sign electronically). The conveyancer will need the signed deed back from the customer ready for completion.

5. Transfer of your money

Your conveyancer will also handle the transfer of money from your new mortgage lender to your old lender. Your new lender will send the money to your conveyancer. They will then use the money – including any extra from your own money – to pay off your old mortgage (including any fees). The conveyancer will also send any surplus back to the customer if they are capital raising.

If any money needs to be sent to you, your conveyancer will sort this.

6. Updates the Land Registry

The conveyancer will contact the Land Registry to register your new mortgage. They’ll ask them to update the title deed of your property with details of your new lender. 

This process can take a few months, or longer if it’s a leasehold property or there’s a backlog of requests. But it won’t impact your completion date.

How much does a conveyancer charge for a remortgage?

Your conveyancer fees for remortgaging often vary and depend on how straightforward the remortgage is and the types of searches needed. 

On average, conveyancers tend to charge around:  

  • £300 for a conveyancing fee1
  • £20 to £65 for Land Registry updates
  • £3 to £12 for a copy of the title deeds.

If any searches are needed, these may come with their own fees.

If you're remortgaging to us and use the Lloyds conveyancing service, you won't pay for basic conveyancing costs. If you need legal advice or any extra work, such as adding or removing someone’s name from the property, you may have to pay some fees. 

Find out more about the Lloyds Conveyancing Service.

1 HomeOwners Alliance

Remortgaging to Lloyds?

You could lose your home if you don’t keep up your mortgage repayments

Let's look at the details

You may also like

How does remortgaging work?

Learn more about how remortgaging works. Discover reasons to remortgage and find out how long the process could take. 

How does remortgaging work? Opens in same tab

Mortgage rates

Find out more about Lloyds mortgage rates. Explore our remortgage rates to see if you could save by switching to Lloyds. 

Mortgage rates Opens in same tab

Remortgage costs

Find out how much it costs to remortgage. Learn about early repayment charges, legal fees and more with Lloyds.

Remortgaging costs Opens in same tab

Help and guidance

Use our mortgages hub to discover everything you need to know about applying for a mortgage, moving house or remortgaging. 

Mortgage help

Help and guidance

Use our mortgages hub to discover everything you need to know about applying for a mortgage, moving house or remortgaging. 

Mortgage help

Important legal information

New Lloyds mortgages are provided by Bank of Scotland plc. Lloyds Bank plc and Bank of Scotland plc are both part of Lloyds Banking Group.