First Time Buyer Solicitors

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting things you’ll do, but once your offer is accepted, the legal process can feel unfamiliar and daunting. Contracts, searches, mortgage reports and completion dates arrive in quick succession, and it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s happening and why things are taking so long.

Our residential property solicitors specialise in guiding first-time buyers through every stage of conveyancing: from reviewing your contract to handling property searches, liaising with your mortgage lender, and getting you to completion as efficiently as possible. We’re accredited by the Law Society under the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), and we’ll keep you informed at every step.

Rest assured, you won’t be left chasing updates or wondering what comes next.

Our first-time buyer conveyancing solicitors can help with:

• Managing the full conveyancing process from offer accepted to completion
• Advising on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief for first-time buyers
• Using your Lifetime Individual Savings Account (Lifetime ISA) or Help to Buy ISA at completion
• Leasehold and freehold property purchases
• New build and Shared Ownership purchases
• Liaising with your mortgage lender throughout

Get a fixed-fee first-time buyer conveyancing quote

To speak with a first-time buyer solicitor, please call 0208 680 5018 or contact your nearest Atkins Hope office in Croydon, Medway, Blackheath or Guildford.

We offer fixed-fee conveyancing, so you’ll know the full cost before we begin. If you’d prefer to enquire online, use our online enquiry form and a member of our team will respond promptly.

Why first-time buyers need a specialist conveyancing solicitor

Conveyancing involves much more than signing paperwork. Your solicitor reviews the title to the property, raises enquiries with the seller’s solicitor, orders and interprets property searches, and ensures your mortgage lender’s conditions are met. Issues missed at this stage can create complications for your ownership rights that are costly to resolve later.

A solicitor experienced in acting for first-time buyers will also explain everything in plain English. We take the time to make sure you understand what you’re agreeing to before you sign anything, so there are no surprises on completion day.

The first-time buyer conveyancing process: step by step

Once you instruct us, the process typically follows these stages:

1. Instruction: We open your file, carry out identity checks and request the contract pack from the seller’s solicitor.
2. Searches: We order property searches, including local authority, drainage, water and environmental checks.
3. Title review and enquiries: We review the contract pack, examine the title to the property and raise any enquiries with the seller’s solicitor.
4. Mortgage offer: Once received, we review your mortgage offer and report to you on its key terms.
5. Exchange of contracts: Both parties sign and exchange contracts. Your deposit is transferred, and the transaction becomes legally binding.
6. Completion: The remaining purchase money is sent to the seller’s solicitor. You take legal ownership and collect your keys.

How long does conveyancing take for a first-time buyer?

Conveyancing typically takes eight to 12 weeks for a first-time buyer. Where there’s no onward chain, for example, if you’re buying a new build or a vacant property, completion can sometimes be agreed sooner. We work proactively to avoid unnecessary delays and will keep you updated throughout.

Stamp Duty Land Tax relief for first-time buyers

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax payable on property purchases in England. First-time buyers may qualify for relief, which can reduce the amount owed depending on the purchase price. The relief is only available where neither buyer has previously owned a property anywhere in the world, and eligibility conditions apply.

We handle your SDLT return as part of our conveyancing service, confirming whether you qualify and ensuring the return is submitted accurately and on time.

Using a Lifetime ISA or Help to Buy ISA at completion

If you’ve been saving for your deposit using a Lifetime ISA or a Help to Buy ISA, the government bonus can contribute towards your purchase, but specific rules apply to both.

For a Lifetime ISA, the account must have been open for at least 12 months and the property must cost no more than £450,000. For a Help to Buy ISA, the government bonus is claimed at completion rather than at exchange. We’ll manage the process with your provider to make sure funds are available at the right time.

Shared Ownership, Help to Buy and new build schemes

Purchasing through a government-backed scheme or buying a new build property adds additional legal steps to conveyancing. Shared Ownership involves buying a share of a property and paying rent on the remainder, with the option to purchase further shares over time. New build contracts are typically issued by the developer and require careful scrutiny before signing.

Our solicitors have experience acting for buyers under a range of purchase schemes and will review all documentation thoroughly to protect your interests.

Leasehold vs freehold: what first-time buyers need to know

When you buy a freehold property, you own the land and building outright. When you buy a leasehold property, you own the property for the duration of the lease but not the land beneath it. Most flats are leasehold; most houses are freehold, though leasehold houses do exist.

Leasehold properties carry additional legal considerations, including ground rent, service charges and the number of years remaining on the lease. A short lease can affect your mortgage eligibility and future resale value. We’ll explain what your lease means in practice and flag anything that needs attention before you commit.

Full pricing details for leasehold purchases are set out on our leasehold residential purchase pricing page.

First-time buyer conveyancing fees

Our conveyancing fees are fixed and provided upfront, so there are no unexpected costs. For a freehold purchase, our legal fees start from £1,300 plus VAT. For a leasehold purchase, legal fees start from £2,000 plus VAT. In addition, you’ll pay disbursements: third-party costs such as search fees (approximately £400), Land Registry fees and Stamp Duty.

Full pricing details are available on our freehold residential purchase pricing and leasehold residential purchase pricing pages.

Why choose Atkins Hope as your first-time buyer solicitor

We hold the Law Society’s CQS accreditation, which recognises solicitors who meet rigorous standards in residential conveyancing. We offer fixed-fee, transparent pricing, and our team is experienced in acting for buyers using a range of purchase schemes and mortgage products.

We have offices in Croydon, Medway, Blackheath and Guildford, and we regularly work with clients remotely, so wherever you’re buying, we can assist you.

Frequently asked questions on first time buyer conveyancing

Do first-time buyers need a solicitor in the UK?

Yes. While there’s no legal requirement to instruct a solicitor, the vast majority of mortgage lenders will require it. Your solicitor also protects your interests throughout the transaction, identifying title issues or property concerns that could affect your ownership rights. We’d always recommend using a qualified conveyancing solicitor.

How much does conveyancing cost for a first-time buyer?

Our fixed fees start from £1,300 plus VAT for a freehold purchase and £2,000 plus VAT for a leasehold purchase. You’ll also pay disbursements, including search fees of approximately £400, and Land Registry fees based on the purchase price. Full details are available on our pricing pages.

How long does conveyancing take for a first-time buyer with no chain?

Without a chain, conveyancing can sometimes be completed in six to eight weeks. Timescales depend on factors including how quickly searches are returned, when your mortgage offer is issued, and the responsiveness of both sets of solicitors. We work proactively to keep things moving.

What Stamp Duty do first-time buyers pay?

First-time buyers may qualify for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief, reducing the amount payable depending on the purchase price. Eligibility conditions apply, and we’ll confirm the SDLT position for your purchase and handle the return on your behalf.

Can I use my Lifetime ISA for the deposit?

Yes, provided the account has been open for at least 12 months and the purchase price is no more than £450,000. We’ll coordinate with your ISA provider to ensure the funds are available at the right point in the transaction.

What searches will my solicitor carry out?

We order a standard set of searches on your behalf, including a local authority search, a drainage and water search, and an environmental search. These reveal matters such as planning history, flood risk and drainage responsibilities. Additional searches may be appropriate depending on the property’s location.

What is the difference between exchange and completion?

Exchange of contracts is the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding. Both parties sign and exchange contracts, and your deposit is paid. Completion is when the remaining purchase funds are transferred and you take legal ownership of the property, typically two to four weeks after exchange.

Can Atkins Hope act for me if my mortgage lender isn’t on your panel?

We act for buyers with a wide range of mortgage lenders. If your lender falls outside our panel, we’ll confirm this at the outset and explain your options, which may include your lender appointing a separate solicitor to act on their behalf while we continue to act for you.

Get in touch with our first-time buyer conveyancing solicitors today

To speak with a first-time buyer solicitor, please call 0208 680 5018 or contact your nearest Atkins Hope office in Croydon, Medway, Blackheath or Guildford.

If you’d prefer to make an enquiry online, use our online enquiry form and a member of our team will respond promptly.