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In most cases, yes.
If you are moving your mortgage to a new lender, a solicitor will usually be required to handle the legal work involved in transferring the mortgage from one lender to another.
There are some exceptions. For example, if you are completing a product transfer and staying with the same lender, legal work is often unnecessary because the lender’s charge against the property remains unchanged.
What Does a Solicitor Do During a Remortgage?
The solicitor’s role is to deal with the legal side of the remortgage.
This typically includes removing the existing lender’s charge from the property, registering the new lender’s charge, carrying out any required checks, and ensuring the transaction completes correctly.
Most of this work takes place behind the scenes, so you may have very little involvement beyond providing information and signing documents when required.
The solicitor will also liaise with the lender and Land Registry throughout the process, helping to ensure everything is completed accurately.
When Might Additional Legal Work Be Needed?
Some remortgages involve more than simply changing lender.
For example, legal work may be required if you are removing someone from the mortgage following a separation, adding a new owner to the property, or completing a transfer of equity as part of the remortgage.
In these situations, the solicitor’s role becomes even more important as they will be responsible for ensuring the property’s legal ownership records are updated correctly.
What Information Will a Solicitor Need?
Most solicitors will ask you to complete paperwork and provide identification documents before work begins.
You may also be asked to provide information about the property, the mortgage being repaid, and the new mortgage being arranged.
Our mortgage advisors regularly help customers understand what information is likely to be requested so there are no surprises once the legal process begins.
How Much Does a Remortgage Solicitor Cost?
The cost can vary depending on the solicitor being used and the type of remortgage being completed.
Many lenders offer either a free legal service or a cashback contribution towards legal costs as part of their remortgage products.
While this can help reduce upfront expenses, the service provided can differ depending on the arrangement offered by the lender.
Some customers prefer to use their own solicitor, particularly if the remortgage involves additional legal work such as a transfer of equity or changes to property ownership.
Can Solicitor Fees Be Added to a Remortgage?
Solicitor fees are usually paid separately rather than being added to the mortgage balance.
The exact payment process will depend on the solicitor being used and the work being carried out, though these costs are typically settled during the remortgage process rather than being incorporated into the new mortgage.
Getting Ready to Remortgage
If your current mortgage deal is coming to an end, understanding the legal side of the process can help avoid delays later on.
Our mortgage advisors help customers arrange remortgages every day and can explain what legal work is likely to be required based on the type of remortgage being completed.
They can also discuss lender incentives, legal options, and any additional requirements that may apply to your circumstances.
