Free initial consultation to talk through your property plans, according to the firm. Fixed fee conveyancing is available. You can call or use the online form to book a callback.
Office
125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
JMW is a large Manchester full service firm whose residential property team, of almost 40 people by its own count, is run from Deansgate alongside offices in London and Liverpool. Andrew Garvie heads the Real Estate Residential team, according to his profile. The team handles sales, purchases and remortgages, leasehold work, new builds, shared ownership staircasing, right to buy and HMOs, and also takes on landlord and tenant disputes. The firm holds the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark, its site shows. It suits buyers with a complex or higher value move, and the firm says it offers a free initial consultation.
Also worth knowing
The team also handles landlord and tenant disputes, HMOs and right to buy purchases.
Lawyers
The residential team works across Manchester, London and Liverpool, so lawyers from more than one office may work on your matter.
Andrew Garvie, Partner, Head of Real Estate Residential
Joseph Goodier, Associate, Manchester Real Estate Residential team
Charlie Bellamy, Solicitor, Manchester Real Estate Residential team
Areas of property law handled
Buying a home
Selling a home
Remortgage
Leasehold purchases and leaseholder services
Transfer of equity
New build conveyancing
Shared ownership staircasing
Right to buy
Auction property
Declarations of trust
HMO conveyancing
Landlord and tenant disputes
Office
125 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2BY
Other details
Other offices
London (King Street) and Liverpool (Old Hall Street)
First contact by phone or the online contact form. The firm publishes conveyancing fee information on a separate fees page.
Office
7th Floor, Blackfriars House, Parsonage, Manchester M3 2JA
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Kuits is a Manchester city centre firm based at Blackfriars House on Parsonage, and says it has been rooted in the city for more than 110 years. Its residential property team is led by partner Duncan McGregor and covers sales and purchases, high value homes, portfolios, contract races, new builds and off plan purchases, buy to let, mortgages, lease extensions and leasehold enfranchisement. The firm holds the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark and Lexcel, according to its site. It suits buyers and sellers of higher value or investment property in and around the city.
Also worth knowing
Duncan McGregor leads a residential team of 14 lawyers and paralegals.
Lawyers
Duncan McGregor, Partner, Head of Residential Property
Claire Heron, Partner
Anthony Hardy, Consultant
Stephanie Cairns, Senior Associate
Sebastian Wahlstrom, Senior Associate
Tiffany Whitwam, Associate
Melanie French, Associate
Sophie Jenkins, Solicitor
Areas of property law handled
House and flat sales and purchases
High value residential transactions
Portfolio sales and purchases
New build and off plan purchases
Buy to let
Mortgages and refinancing
Lease extensions
Leasehold enfranchisement
Contract races
Landlord and tenant
Office
7th Floor, Blackfriars House, Parsonage, Manchester M3 2JA
Free instant online quote and fixed fees, according to the firm. No legal aid, but the firm says it will discuss funding options.
Office
The Apiary, 86 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2ER
Other numbers
Main line 0330 111 3131
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Slater Heelis is a Manchester full service firm that says it traces its roots back more than 250 years, with offices on Deansgate and in Sale, plus Chester. Since 2024 it has been part of the Lawfront group but keeps its own name. Zara Banday, Partner and Head of Residential Property, leads the conveyancing team, which covers buying, selling, remortgages, leasehold work and lease extensions. A separate property litigation team handles boundary, lease and landlord and tenant disputes. Instant online quotes are available. Its site says it does not act on flats in blocks over four storeys or 11 metres.
Also worth knowing
The firm joined the Lawfront group in May 2024 and still trades under its own name.
Lawyers
Zara Banday, Partner, Head of Residential Property and Head of Sale office
David Jones, Associate Partner
Angela Brown, Solicitor
Helen Young, Chartered Legal Executive
Lisa Watson, Conveyancing Executive
Daniel Stern, Partner, Head of Property Litigation
Myerson is an Altrincham firm based at Grosvenor House on Barrington Road, in Trafford. Partner Heather Adams, who has worked in residential property since 2007 according to her profile, heads a team of two partners plus associates and solicitors. It handles sales and purchases, high value homes with grounds or farmland, rural estates, HMOs and self build plots, freehold purchases and enfranchisement, and Building Safety Act advice. The firm holds the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark, its site shows. It suits buyers and sellers in south Manchester and Cheshire with larger or more complex homes. Calls are free.
Also worth knowing
It handles enfranchisement, freehold purchases and Building Safety Act questions on flats.
Lawyers
Heather Adams, Partner, Head of Residential Property
Online quote, enquiry form or phone. Out of hours number usually answered by a solicitor, according to the firm. Electronic ID checks and a client portal.
Office
Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG
Other numbers
Main line 0800 103 2600
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Russell & Russell is a Bolton firm established in 1887, with its head office at Atria on Spa Road and branches in Bury, Farnworth, Horwich, Atherton and Middleton, plus Chester. The firm says conveyancing is one of its biggest departments, with more than 30 lawyers and staff, including several partners and licensed conveyancers. It says it has held the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark since the scheme began, and it is Lexcel accredited. Work covers sales, purchases, remortgages, buy to let, new builds, self builds, auctions, lease creation and title splits. Online quotes are available.
Established in 1887
Also worth knowing
Conveyancing partner David Kitchen is a past President of Bolton Law Society, his profile says.
Lawyers
Graham Kettle is Head of Operations for the conveyancing department.
David Kitchen, Conveyancing Partner and Director
Richard Querelle, Conveyancing Partner and Director
Zoe Harryman, Conveyancing Partner and Director
Louise Simons, Conveyancing Director Partner
Simon Tansey, Conveyancing Director Partner
Alex Korko, Conveyancer, Salaried Partner
Karen Woods, Conveyancing Solicitor
Michele Benson, Licensed Conveyancer
Areas of property law handled
House sales
House purchases
Remortgages
Buy to let
New build purchases
Self build and conversions
Transfers of property
Auction property
Lease creation
Title splits
Office
Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG
Other details
Other offices
Bury, Farnworth, Horwich, Atherton, Middleton and Chester
Free, no obligation first chat with an adviser and a free online quote, according to the firm.
Office
Units 11 and 12 Brewery Yard, Deva City Office Park, Trinity Way, Manchester M3 7BB
Other numbers
Residential conveyancing enquiries
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Stephensons is a full service firm with offices in Wigan, Bolton, Manchester, St Helens and London. Its residential conveyancing team works mainly from Wigan, with a solicitor at the Manchester office, inside a real estate department headed by chairman David Baybut. It handles buying, selling, remortgages, transfers of equity, shared ownership, lease extensions, freehold purchases and collective enfranchisement, repossessed property and work for builders and developers. The firm is a member of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme. It offers a free, no obligation first chat and an online quote.
Also worth knowing
The site shows a Trustpilot score of 4.6 out of 5 from more than 2,600 reviews.
Lawyers
Most of the conveyancing team works from the Wigan office.
David Baybut, Chairman and Head of Real Estate (Wigan)
Natalie Bradley, Partner (Wigan)
Rebecca Fletcher, Chartered Legal Executive and Senior Associate (Wigan)
Michelle Stevens, Conveyancing New Business Manager and Senior Associate (Wigan)
Renee Burke, Solicitor (Wigan)
Gillian Cooke, Solicitor (Wigan)
Natalie Penman, Solicitor (Wigan)
Natalie Sellers, Solicitor (Manchester)
Areas of property law handled
Buying a house
Selling a house
Remortgages
First time buyer conveyancing
Transfer of equity
Shared ownership
Lease extensions
Freehold purchase and collective enfranchisement
Repossessed property
Auction property
Office
Units 11 and 12 Brewery Yard, Deva City Office Park, Trinity Way, Manchester M3 7BB
Instant online quote and fixed fees, followed by a welcome call once you instruct, according to the firm.
Office
30 Washway Road, Sale M33 7QY
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Bannister Preston is a local firm with offices on Washway Road in Sale and Liverpool Road in Irlam. It says its residential conveyancing department has advised clients for more than 100 years, and conveyancing sits alongside family law and wills and probate as its main work. The team handles freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, first time buyers, remortgages, transfers of equity, new builds, shared ownership, right to buy and lease extensions. The firm is CQS accredited, according to its site. Clients get a dedicated conveyancer, fixed fees and an instant online quote.
Also worth knowing
It handles lease extensions and right to buy as well as standard sales and purchases.
No obligation quote and a full cost estimate at the start, with no hidden fees, according to the firm. Call, use the online form or visit a branch.
Office
2-8 Bank Street, Bury BL9 0DL
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Butcher & Barlow is a North West firm with its head office on Bank Street in Bury, Greater Manchester branches in Leigh, Tyldesley and Bramhall, and more offices across Cheshire. Partner Lynsey Stuchfield heads residential conveyancing from the firm's Runcorn office, and the team holds the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme mark, according to its site. Work covers freehold, leasehold and shared ownership sales, purchases including new build and right to buy, remortgages, transfers of equity after separation, auctions, and freehold purchases and lease extensions. It suits buyers and sellers who want a local branch to visit. It offers a no obligation quote and an upfront cost estimate.
Also worth knowing
Associate Emma Sargeant, a Chartered Legal Executive and licensed conveyancer, works from the Leigh office.
Lawyers
The residential team works across the firm's branches, so your conveyancer may be based at another office.
Lynsey Stuchfield, Partner, Head of Residential Conveyancing (Runcorn office)
Karen Baker, Partner
Amanda O'Hare, Associate
Emma Sargeant, Associate, Chartered Legal Executive and Licensed Conveyancer (Leigh office)
Areas of property law handled
Freehold and leasehold sales
Purchases including new build
Right to buy and Help to Buy
Shared ownership
Remortgages
Transfer of equity
Auction property
Freehold purchase
Lease extensions
Office
2-8 Bank Street, Bury BL9 0DL
Other details
Other offices
Leigh, Tyldesley and Bramhall in Greater Manchester, plus Cheshire and Staffordshire offices
Contact form, email or phone, and a named lawyer for each transaction, according to the firm. Fee details are on a separate pricing page.
Office
Dale House, Tiviot Dale, Stockport SK1 1TA
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Gorvins is a Stockport firm based at Dale House on Tiviot Dale. Its residential conveyancing is handled by the property team led by Claire Beaumont, Partner and Head of Commercial Property, with associate solicitors Majida Bashir and Danielle Hewitt. It covers buying and selling, remortgages, new builds, shared ownership and staircasing, transfers of equity, declarations of trust, probate sales and sales after separation, plus buy to let and HMO work for investors. It runs residential services for police and armed forces members. A property litigation team led by Guy Lightowler handles disputes.
Also worth knowing
Guy Lightowler heads its property litigation team, according to the firm's homepage.
Lawyers
Claire Beaumont, Partner, Head of Commercial Property
Free, no obligation advice when you first get in touch and fixed fee conveyancing, according to the firm. Office visits by appointment.
Office
Queens Chambers, 5 John Dalton Street, Manchester M2 6ET
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Aticus Law is a Manchester city centre firm founded in 2013 by Simon Fagan and Edward Judge, based at Queens Chambers on John Dalton Street with a second office in Wilmslow. Milena Brunt heads its residential conveyancing team from Manchester. Work covers buying and selling, remortgages, transfers of equity, new builds, shared ownership, Help to Buy, right to buy, lease extensions, auctions, probate sales and declarations of trust. It is a small team inside a broader firm. Work is on fixed fees, and the firm offers free, no obligation advice when you first get in touch.
Founded in 2013
Also worth knowing
The Manchester contact page shows a 4.8 star Google rating.
Lawyers
Milena Brunt, Head of Residential Conveyancing
Jade Worthington, Residential Conveyancer
Areas of property law handled
Buying a property
Selling a property
Remortgages
Transfer of equity
New build purchases
Shared ownership and Help to Buy
Right to buy
Lease extensions
Auction conveyancing
Probate sales
Declarations of trust
Office
Queens Chambers, 5 John Dalton Street, Manchester M2 6ET
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with an office in Greater Manchester that do residential property work as a main part of their work. We read each firm's own website in October 2026, checked it says it is regulated by the SRA, and wrote the descriptions ourselves. Accreditations and first consultation terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. Google ratings are shown with the date we checked them where we have them. You can check any solicitor or firm on the SRA Solicitors Register.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Laws, tax rates and fees are as published on legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK, HM Land Registry, the SRA and HM Courts and Tribunals Service in October 2026. Stamp duty figures are as at 25 October 2026 and apply in England.
How buying a home works
Your conveyancer, a solicitor or licensed conveyancer, carries out the legal checks on the property and does the legal work of moving ownership from the seller to you. Most firms follow the Law Society's Conveyancing Protocol, and some steps run side by side rather than one after the other.
Step
What happens
Instruction
You choose a firm and agree its terms, ideally as soon as your offer is accepted, so the searches can be ordered early
Searches
Your conveyancer orders local authority searches and advises on others, such as flood risk or a mining report where the area has a mining history. Searches are usually paid for up front and only stay valid for a certain number of months, so order them early
Enquiries
Your conveyancer raises questions about the property and the paperwork, and the seller normally needs to answer them
Mortgage offer
Your lender must have confirmed the mortgage before exchange. A mortgage valuation isn't a survey and won't protect you if something is wrong with the property
Exchange of contracts
Signed contracts are swapped and you pay the deposit. From here the deal is legally binding
Completion
Your conveyancer sends the rest of the money to the seller's conveyancer and you take ownership. Keys are often handed over around lunchtime
After completion
Your conveyancer files the stamp duty return, pays the tax and registers you as the owner with HM Land Registry
What exchange means. Before exchange either side can walk away. After it, a buyer who pulls out may lose the deposit and have to compensate the seller, and a seller who pulls out may have to pay the buyer's costs and compensation. You're legally responsible for the property from exchange, so arrange buildings insurance by then.
Mining reports. A mining report is one of the extra searches your conveyancer may advise on. Ask early whether the address you're buying needs one.
Registration. A transfer of registered land doesn't take full legal effect until HM Land Registry registers it. If the property has never been registered, the application must be made within 2 months of the sale. HM Land Registry's July 2026 figures show many updates to an existing title are done within a day, but most of the rest take up to about 6 months and some about 10 months. New leases and transfers of part of a title, which most new build buyers will have, take longer: about 9 months for half and up to about 13 months for almost all. First registrations take about 8 to 12 months. The registration fee depends on the price. For an online application to register a transfer of a whole title it's £20 up to £80,000, £40 up to £100,000, £100 up to £200,000, £150 up to £500,000, £295 up to £1 million and £500 above that. Paper applications, and transfers of part of a title (common on new builds), cost more: from £45 up to £1,105. These fees have applied since 9 December 2024.
Stamp duty in England, as at 25 October 2026
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is due when you buy a freehold, a leasehold or a share through a shared ownership scheme in England. Wales and Scotland have their own taxes. Each rate applies only to the part of the price that falls in that band.
These are the rates as at 25 October 2026. The Budget on 28 October 2026 could change them, and we'll update this page if it does.
Part of the price
Standard rate
If you'll own more than one home
Up to £125,000
0%
5%
£125,001 to £250,000
2%
7%
£250,001 to £925,000
5%
10%
£925,001 to £1.5 million
10%
15%
Above £1.5 million
12%
17%
First time buyers: no SDLT up to £300,000, and 5% on the part from £300,001 to £500,000. If the price is over £500,000 you can't claim the relief and pay the standard rates
Additional homes: the higher rates are 5% on top of each standard band. They don't apply if the new home replaces your main residence and you've sold the old one. If your old home hasn't sold by the day you complete, you pay the higher rates. Ask your conveyancer what happens if you then sell it within 36 months
Non-UK residents: if you weren't in the UK for at least 183 days in the 12 months before buying, you usually pay a further 2%. There are exceptions
The 14 day deadline: the return must reach HMRC and the tax must be paid within 14 days of completion. Your conveyancer usually does both on completion day and adds the tax to the bill. Late filing or payment can bring penalties and interest
Example price
First time buyer
Home mover
Additional home
£250,000
£0
£2,500
£15,000
£350,000
£2,500
£7,500
£25,000
Examples use the rates as at 25 October 2026 and assume a UK resident buyer.
Leasehold flats and houses
If you're buying a flat, or a leasehold house, your conveyancer should check the lease length, the ground rent, the service charges and who manages the building. The law here is changing in stages, so it helps to know what is and isn't in force.
Already in force:
No two year wait: since 31 January 2025 you don't need to have owned a leasehold home for two years before claiming a lease extension or buying the freehold
Right to manage: changes from 3 March 2025 raised the limit on commercial space in a building that can claim the right to manage, and changed the rules on the costs of claims
Ground rent on new leases: under the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, a new long lease of a home granted for a premium from 30 June 2022 (1 April 2023 for retirement homes) can't require more than a peppercorn rent. There are some exceptions, such as business leases and statutory lease extensions. It doesn't cut ground rent on leases granted before then
Not yet in force. The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 became law on 24 May 2024, but most of it only starts when the government makes commencement regulations. As at 25 October 2026 these parts haven't started: the ban on new leasehold houses, 990 year lease extensions, the new valuation method that removes marriage value, the right to buy out your ground rent, and the service charge reforms. Until they start, the old rules apply. If you're weighing up a lease extension, ask a solicitor how the timing affects you.
Taller blocks and building safety. The Building Safety Act 2022 protects leaseholders with a qualifying lease in a building at least 11 metres high or with at least 5 storeys and at least two homes. Since 28 June 2022:
no service charge is payable for cladding remediation
other safety defect costs are capped at £10,000 outside London (£15,000 in London), with higher caps for leases worth over £1 million, and no more than a tenth of the cap can be charged in any year
you pay nothing for those other defects if the landlord was responsible, the landlord's group passes a net worth test, or the lease was worth under £175,000 outside London
Whether a lease qualifies depends on conditions in the Act, so ask your conveyancer to check before you exchange. Not every firm acts on flats in taller blocks, so mention the building's height when you first call.
Choosing a firm and keeping your money safe
What firms must publish. Under the SRA Transparency Rules, a firm that advertises residential conveyancing must show on its website the total cost or an average or range, how it charges, likely disbursements such as search fees, VAT, what the price includes, the key stages and likely timescales, and the experience and qualifications of the people doing and supervising the work. That makes it easier to compare like with like before you call.
The Conveyancing Quality Scheme. CQS is the Law Society's quality standard for SRA regulated firms doing residential conveyancing, covering competence, risk management and client service. CQS firms must follow the Conveyancing Protocol, apart from limited exceptions. Each firm profile above says whether the firm states it holds CQS.
Bank details fraud. Criminals send emails that look like they're from your conveyancer, saying the bank details have changed. It's extremely rare for a firm to change its bank account. Don't transfer anything. Call the firm on a number you already have, not one in the email, and check the details before sending your deposit or the balance.
Check the firm. You can look up any solicitor or firm on the SRA Solicitors Register.
If something goes wrong. Complain to the firm first. It has up to eight weeks to put things right. If it doesn't, or you're unhappy with its final response, you can go to the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333. You normally need to do this within one year of the problem, or of when you should have realised there was one, and within six months of the firm's final response if that response told you about the six month limit. The Ombudsman can extend the limits where it's fair, for example after serious illness.
If you're a landlord
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 became law on 27 October 2025. From 1 May 2026 it abolished assured shorthold tenancies for private tenancies in England, and with them "no fault" section 21 evictions, subject to transitional rules. The grounds a landlord can use to get possession have also changed. Social housing tenancies are on a different timetable.
If you're buying a buy to let with a tenant in place, or selling one, ask your solicitor how the tenancy now works and what the buyer is taking on.
Property courts, tribunals and free advice in Manchester
Most home moves never go near a court. If there's a dispute, here's where it's likely to be heard.
Manchester Civil Justice Centre (Civil and Family Courts): 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester, M60 9DJ. The centre hears civil money claims, housing cases, bankruptcy and High Court cases
Residential Property Northern Region, First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber): 1st Floor, Piccadilly Exchange, 2 Piccadilly Plaza, Manchester, M1 4AH. Phone 0161 237 9491. The Property Chamber deals with leasehold disputes, leasehold enfranchisement and some rent increases
Free advice. Citizens Advice Manchester's central office (M2 5DB) is by appointment only, and it has other locations across the city. Greater Manchester Law Centre is at 669 Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, M12 4QE, and helps Greater Manchester residents only. If you're homeless or at risk of losing your home, Civil Legal Advice may be able to help on 0345 345 4345, Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 12:30pm.
Manchester property law: common questions
How much stamp duty will I pay on a Manchester home?
As at 25 October 2026, a home mover pays nothing on the first £125,000, 2% on the part up to £250,000 and 5% on the part up to £925,000. A first time buyer pays nothing up to £300,000 and 5% on the part up to £500,000. On a £250,000 home that's £2,500 for a home mover and nothing for a first time buyer. The Budget on 28 October 2026 could change these rates, and we'll update this page if it does.
When does buying a house become legally binding?
At exchange of contracts. Until then either side can pull out. After exchange, a buyer who pulls out may lose the deposit and have to compensate the seller, and a seller who pulls out may have to pay the buyer's costs and compensation. You're responsible for the property from exchange, so have buildings insurance in place.
Who pays the stamp duty, and when?
The buyer. The return must be filed and the tax paid within 14 days of completion. Your conveyancer usually does this on completion day and adds the tax to the bill. Late filing or payment can lead to penalties and interest.
I've just bought a leasehold flat. Can I extend the lease straight away?
Yes. Since 31 January 2025 you no longer need to have owned the flat for two years before claiming a lease extension or buying the freehold. The 2024 changes to how extensions are valued, including removing marriage value, weren't in force as at 25 October 2026, so ask a solicitor how that affects your timing.
Will I have to pay to fix cladding on my block?
If you have a qualifying lease in a building at least 11 metres high or with at least 5 storeys, no service charge is payable for cladding remediation under the Building Safety Act 2022. Other safety defect costs are capped, at £10,000 outside London, and can be nil in some cases. Ask your conveyancer to check whether your lease qualifies.
My conveyancer emailed to say their bank details have changed. What should I do?
Don't send any money. It's extremely rare for a firm to change its bank account. Call the firm on a number you already have, not one in the email. If you think you've been targeted, report it to Action Fraud.
How do I complain about my conveyancer?
Complain to the firm first. It has eight weeks to put things right. If it doesn't, or you're unhappy with its final response, contact the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333. You normally need to go to the Ombudsman within one year of the problem (or of when you should have realised there was one), and within six months of the firm's final response if that response told you about the six month limit.
