Conveyancer or solicitor?

When buying a house, two types of professionals can assist you in the process: a conveyancer or a solicitor. One is not better than the other, and both have their duties and requirements, but their work is not entirely interchangeable.

What are the roles of a Sydney conveyancer?

A conveyancer is a legal professional who deals with all the paperwork needed to transfer property ownership. And, when they act on behalf of purchasers, they are responsible for checking all documentation, including the title deed and any surveys, for ensuring that the sale is legal and they can complete their role without problems or delays.

What is the difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?

The critical difference between a Sydney conveyancer and a solicitor is that a conveyancer will only work with real property law in the area referred to as conveyancing. A conveyancer’s tertiary study is much shorter than a solicitor. A solicitor can offer much broader services like wills, or general legal advice.

Do I need a conveyancer or solicitor when buying a house?

You may be wondering whether you need a conveyancer or solicitor when buying a house. A Sydney conveyancing service is just as qualified to handle all facets of the transaction as a solicitor. All conveyancers in New South Wales must be licensed because they are governed by both the Conveyancers Licensing Act of 2003 and the separate Conveyancers Licensing Regulation of 2006. A good conveyancer will also be accredited by the Australian Institute of Conveyancers.

Solicitors will have a broader knowledge of the law should the property transfer go beyond the boundaries covered in the Conveyancers Licensing Act of 2003, such as capital gains tax or property settlements resulting from divorce.

Solicitors charging by the hour can be more expensive than the professional fee charged by a Sydney conveyancer. Most Sydney conveyancers offer a fixed and flat fee for the entire process.

Plus, solicitors are often out of the office dealing with legal matters unrelated to property transactions. If you are working with a busy solicitor’s office, it can be challenging to connect with them when convenient for you.

As you can see, there are a select few situations where you may need a solicitor to help you through your property transaction. If it’s a standard buying, selling or property transfer transaction, you can be confident that a good Sydney conveyancer can help you.

Planning on buying a property in Sydney?

You can make the whole process go a lot smoother by working with an established Sydney conveyancing service. Platinum Conveyancing Services will always put your interests first and won’t add any hidden surprises. We know the greater Sydney area well and have been a competitive Sydney conveyancing service for thousands of property purchases across Sydney and NSW.