You’ve probably seen plenty of ads pushing remortgage deals with promises of lower rates and quick switches. It all sounds easy enough on paper. But once you get past the shiny rates, you start to hit questions like: Do I actually need a solicitor to remortgage? Short answer? It depends on the type of remortgage you’re doing. Long answer? Let’s unpack it.

First Things First: What’s a Remortgage?

A remortgage is when you switch your existing mortgage to a new one, either with your current lender or a different one. You might be doing it to get a better interest rate, borrow more money, or just tidy things up financially. It’s not the same as buying a new home you’re just changing the mortgage on one you already own.

Now, back to the big question.

Do You Always Need a Solicitor?

If you’re staying with your current lender and simply moving to a new deal (often called a product transfer), you usually don’t need a solicitor. That’s because the legal ownership of your home and the lender’s interest in it aren’t changing. It’s more like tweaking your contract than starting over.

But, if you’re switching to a new lender—known as a remortgage with a different provider then yes, a solicitor or conveyancer is typically required. They handle the legal side of things, like removing the old lender’s charge on the property and registering the new one.

What Does a Solicitor Actually Do During a Remortgage?

It might not sound like a huge legal job, but there’s still a process behind the scenes. Here’s what the solicitor or conveyancer usually sorts out:

• Title check: They look into the legal title of the property to make sure everything’s in order.
• Redemption statement: They request a balance from your current lender showing how much is owed.
• New mortgage deed: They get this ready and signed for your new lender.
• ID and fraud checks: These are part of compliance to ensure there’s no dodgy activity.
• Funds transfer: They handle the transfer of money from your new lender to pay off the old one.
• Land Registry updates: They update the official records to show your new lender’s charge.

It’s not usually a long process often just a couple of weeks—but it still needs doing properly.

Free Legal Work from the Lender?

You might notice that some remortgage deals include “free legal work” or a “free legal package.” That can sound like a nice bonus. And sometimes it is. But it’s worth knowing what that actually covers.

Usually, it means the lender will appoint a solicitor (often a firm they work with regularly) and cover the basic legal costs. Sounds good. But there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You don’t get to choose the solicitor. That’s not always a problem, but some people prefer using someone local or someone they’ve worked with before.
• Extras may not be included. If there are any complications—like your name isn’t on the title properly or you’ve changed something about the property—extra fees might pop up.
• Speed can vary. Some people say the service is slower or less personal with the lender’s free legal option. That’s not always the case, but it happens.

If you’d rather pick your own solicitor, you usually can. Just check if the lender will offer cashback to cover legal fees instead of their free service. Some do.

Can You Remortgage Without a Solicitor?

Technically, yes but only in certain situations. If you’re sticking with the same lender and it’s a product transfer, no solicitor is usually needed. Your lender might even sort it out online or over the phone.

But if you’re switching lenders, a solicitor will almost always be required. That’s because the legal charge on the property needs to be changed. It’s not something most homeowners can do themselves.

What About Online Conveyancers?

There are online firms that handle remortgages and conveyancing work remotely. They’re often cheaper and can be a decent option if your case is straightforward. But as with anything—there’s a trade-off.

Some people find the lack of personal contact frustrating, especially if anything goes a bit off-script. If you prefer having someone you can phone or pop in to see, a local solicitor might suit you better. Price isn’t everything, especially if the process gets delayed.

How Much Will It Cost?

Legal fees for remortgaging are usually lower than for buying or selling a home. If you’re paying for your own solicitor, expect anywhere from £300 to £700 depending on the firm and the complexity of the case.

Some lenders offer cashback on completion to help cover these fees, or they include free legal work as mentioned earlier.

Be wary of quotes that seem too cheap always check what’s included and what’s not. Some firms quote a low price but then add on extras for admin, ID checks, or dealing with leasehold documents.