Remortgaging is usually simpler than your first mortgage, but it still involves some legal work. If you are switching to a new lender, a solicitor or licensed conveyancer handles that legal side for you. This guide explains what remortgage conveyancing is, the process, how long it takes, what it costs, and when you need a conveyancer.
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What is Remortgage Conveyancing?
Remortgage conveyancing is the legal process of switching your mortgage from one lender to another. A solicitor or licensed conveyancer carries it out, making sure your old mortgage is repaid and the new lender’s charge is registered against your property at HM Land Registry. Because there is no sale and no property chain, it is faster and more straightforward than buying a home.
Do You Need a Conveyancer to Remortgage?
Whether you need one depends on what you are doing:
- Switching to a new lender: Yes. A conveyancer carries out the legal checks, repays your existing mortgage, and registers the new lender’s charge.
- Staying with your current lender: No. Moving to a new rate with the same lender is a product transfer, which involves no legal work, so no conveyancer is needed.
- Adding or removing someone from the deeds: Yes, always. Changing who owns the property is a transfer of equity and needs a solicitor to amend the title, even if you stay with the same lender.
The same process applies to a buy-to-let remortgage.
The Remortgage Conveyancing Process
The legal work begins once you accept your new mortgage offer. These are the main steps.
Step 1: ID Checks
Your solicitor verifies your identity to meet anti-money laundering rules, even if your lender has already done so. You will need photo ID and proof of address for everyone named on the mortgage.
Step 2: Review Your Current Mortgage
Your solicitor requests a redemption statement from your current lender. This confirms the exact balance to repay, plus any early repayment charges or admin fees.
Step 3: Check the Title
Using official copies from HM Land Registry, your solicitor confirms you are the legal owner and checks for any charges or restrictions that must be cleared before the new mortgage can complete.
Step 4: Review the Mortgage Offer
Your solicitor reviews the new lender’s offer and conditions, including the lender’s remortgage valuation. If your property is leasehold, they also confirm the lease meets the lender’s requirements.
Step 5: Searches
Your solicitor carries out any searches the lender requires, such as a local authority search. Many lenders accept search indemnity insurance instead, which is quicker and cheaper.
Step 6: Pre-Completion Checks
A priority search (OS1) freezes the title so nothing can change before completion, and a bankruptcy search confirms no owner is bankrupt.
Step 7: Completion
Your solicitor sends you a final statement, receives the funds from your new lender, repays your old mortgage, and pays any remaining balance to you if you are borrowing more, for example for home improvements.
Step 8: Registration
After completion, your solicitor registers the new lender’s charge at HM Land Registry. This can take several weeks, especially for leasehold properties.
How Long Does Remortgage Conveyancing Take?
Remortgage conveyancing usually takes 4 to 8 weeks from receiving your formal mortgage offer. A product transfer with your existing lender can complete in just a few days, as no legal work is involved. The full remortgage can take longer overall, which we cover in our guide on how long it takes to remortgage.
Situation | Typical timescale |
Standard remortgage (new lender) | 4 to 8 weeks |
Product transfer (same lender) | A few days |
Leasehold property | Add roughly 2 to 4 weeks |
How Much Does Remortgage Conveyancing Cost?
Costs depend on your property and how complex the remortgage is. Leasehold properties usually cost more because of the extra legal work. Typical charges include:
- Solicitor’s legal fee: £300 to £1,000
- Land Registry official copies: £7 to £11 each
- Land Registry registration fee: £20 to £150
- Local authority search: £50 to £250
- Search indemnity insurance (if used instead of searches): £20 to £300
- Additional leasehold fee (if applicable): from £100
Free Legal Packages
Many remortgage deals include a free legal service, where the new lender covers standard conveyancing costs. Others offer a cashback amount towards your legal fees instead.
When You Actually Pay
You usually only pay out of pocket if your lender does not cover the legal work, or if you need non-standard work such as a transfer of equity, leasehold checks, or releasing equity. For the wider picture, see our guide to the cost of remortgaging.
What Can Delay Remortgage Conveyancing?
A few things commonly slow the process down:
- Leasehold properties: Extra checks on the lease, ground rent, and managing agents can add weeks.
- Slow paperwork: Delays returning forms or ID documents hold up the file straight away.
- Lender requirements: Some lenders insist on full searches while others accept indemnity insurance, which changes the timing.
Tell Us About Your Remortgage
The right next step depends on your situation. To work out exactly what your conveyancing will involve, it helps to know three things:
- Are you switching to a new lender, or checking your current lender’s options? A new lender means full conveyancing; staying put on a new rate usually means none.
- Is your property freehold or leasehold? Leasehold adds extra legal checks and cost.
- Are you adding or removing anyone from the deeds? That is a transfer of equity, which always needs a solicitor.
Together, these answers show whether you need a conveyancer, how long it will take, and what you will pay.
Compare Remortgage Deals
Our online platform lets you compare remortgage deals from lenders across the UK, with real-time information on the latest rates. Once you have found a deal that fits your needs, our team of specialists offers tailored support based on your circumstances and long-term plans.
If you are unsure or would like guidance, please get in touch. We are here to simplify the process, remove any confusion, and help you secure a remortgage that suits your goals.
FAQs
A conveyancer handles the legal side of switching lenders. That means checking your ID and title, requesting a redemption statement, reviewing the mortgage offer, running any searches, repaying your old mortgage on completion, and registering the new lender’s charge at HM Land Registry.
Often not. Many lenders include a free legal package that covers standard conveyancing. You typically pay only if your deal has no free legal service, or if you need extra work such as a transfer of equity or leasehold checks.
You need one if you are moving to a new lender or changing who is named on the deeds. If you are staying with your current lender on a new rate (a product transfer), you usually do not.
Yes. Leasehold remortgages involve extra checks on the lease terms, ground rent, and service charges, so they usually take a little longer and can cost more than a freehold remortgage.
About the Author:
Matt is a top contributor at Speedy Remortgage and has worked in the financial services industry for over a decade now. Through his expertise on mortgage and remortgage has helped hundreds of customers to achieve their property goals.