The short answer
Switching lender can require legal work on the title, existing mortgage and new lender's security. A product transfer with the same lender may be different. Confirm your lender's requirements, the legal service included and your target completion date.
A new mortgage offer and completed legal work are separate milestones.Confirm which kind of change you are making
Tell your broker or lender whether you are switching lender, changing the amount borrowed or changing the owners. Ask whether conveyancing is needed for the arrangement being offered.
If a legal package is included with the mortgage, check who provides it and whether it covers your circumstances. ‘Legal work included’ should not be assumed to cover an ownership change or every additional task.
Give the conveyancer the dates that matter
Explain when your current deal ends, when an early repayment charge changes and how long the new offer remains valid. Ask your advisers how those dates affect a sensible completion plan.
Do not assume the firm can guarantee a date simply because your new rate has been agreed. Outstanding lender conditions, title matters or documents can still need to be resolved.
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Start with the property's value, then add the lender and mortgage details.
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Prepare the property and ownership information
Provide the current lender details, ownership information and requested identity documents. If the property is leasehold, shared ownership or subject to another charge, flag it early.
Tell the firm about changes since your original purchase, including alterations or relevant restrictions you know about. Ask what checks the new lender requires rather than assuming the old purchase file answers every question.
Check the figures before completion
Your existing mortgage needs to be repaid under the completion arrangements. Ask for the redemption figure, legal costs and any amount you must contribute or expect to receive to be explained.
If the dates change, revisit the numbers with your advisers. Mortgage suitability and product advice belong with an appropriately qualified adviser; your conveyancer deals with the legal work within their instructions.
Your next steps
- Confirm whether legal work is required.
- Share deal-end, charge and offer-expiry dates.
- Disclose leasehold, ownership changes and other charges.
- Review repayment and completion figures.
A little more clarity
Do I need a solicitor for a product transfer?
It depends on the lender and the changes being made. Ask the lender to confirm rather than assuming it is the same process as switching lender.
Further reading
- MoneyHelper: Remortgaging and comparing the costs (opens in a new tab)
- HM Land Registry: Change the registered owner (opens in a new tab)
General information for England and Wales, not advice on your individual transaction. Millennium Legal is a referral and case management service, not a firm of solicitors. Your appointed firm provides legal advice. Check current official guidance and your own terms.
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