Manchester is Britain's third largest city after the capital and Birmingham, and it is also historically one of the oldest with evidence of early settlements before it expanded dramatically in the industrial revolution as a centre for textiles. A major focal point for culture, Manchester has a large international airport and good rail, tram and road systems.
So, if you are planning on buying a bungalow in Beswick, or selling a leasehold flat in Northenden, or simply wishing to free up some of the equity in your detached home in Parrs Wood, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancing solicitors are waiting for your call to help and guide you through the process.
Our knowledge and experience of Manchester, its housing market and how the purchase and sale of properties are affected by the legal issues that commonly arise mean that you can be assured of a top-quality service at value-for-money price.
We're open 6 days a week for your convenience, so call us now on to get your free, no-obligation quote.
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Why choose Homeward Legal for your conveyancing in Manchester
We've established an excellent reputation you can trust and helped over 30,000 customers in the past 13 years.
Our residential conveyancing solicitors are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
Fixed Legal Fee policy
No hidden costs - the legal fee you get quoted is definitive.
No-Completion, No-Fee policy
You won't pay any legal fees if your move falls through for any reason.
Search & survey protection
You won't pay for your next search and survey if your transaction falls through.
Complete support
Dedicated customer service from start to finish. We are open 6 days a week.
Local knowledge
Solicitors with offices across England and Wales.
Simple & straightforward
No confusion with legal jargon - just plain and simple English.
Excellent, friendly service
So far so good, straight forward process with competitive pricing.
Chris has been brilliant, really helpful and friendly, made me feel reassured during a difficult time and didn't make me feel pressured.
Would definitely use this service again.
Current market trends in Manchester
Once you have confirmed your plans to buy your next home in Manchester, you'll want to know everything you can about the area you want to move to and the specific issues that might affect your purchase. Therefore, if you are considering buying a modern home on one of the housing estates built in Wythenshawe to support the influx of financial and other companies, or you want to take advantage of the more rural aspect that Crumpsall offers as well as the proximity of the city centre, or perhaps you like the history and urbanisation that is reflected in Withington, the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal fully understands your needs.
- Average property price: £250,000-£266,000 (all property types)
- Most active areas: City centre, Ancoats, Salford Quays, and Didsbury
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price growth: +5% to +8% year-on-year (varies by area)
Sources: ONS, Plumplot, Homeward Legal internal data
Updated July 2025
Essential local searches for Manchester properties
When buying property in Manchester, specific local searches are important due to the city's industrial heritage, ongoing regeneration projects, and diverse geographical characteristics. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
Manchester City Council maintains the local land charges register and handles planning permissions, building regulations, conservation area controls, and development restrictions that might affect your property.
These searches reveal planning permissions, building regulations compliance, conservation area restrictions, and major regeneration plans including the Northern Gateway, Ancoats, and city centre developments. Manchester's rapid development means understanding planning proposals is of importance for future property values.
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Critical in Manchester due to the city's significant industrial heritage, including former textile mills, chemical works, and manufacturing sites throughout the city.
Environmental searches identify contamination risks from former industrial activities, air quality concerns, and ground stability issues. These are particularly important given Manchester's history of heavy industry and the potential for contaminated land from former factory sites and industrial processes.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for Manchester properties due to the River Irwell, River Medlock, and numerous waterways running through the city. Manchester has experienced flooding events, with areas near rivers and in low-lying parts of the city being particularly susceptible.
Our searches assess flood risk from rivers, surface water, and drainage systems, particularly important in areas near the city's waterways and in developments built on former industrial sites where drainage may have been altered.
Learn more about water and drainage search >
Mining searches
Manchester sits in an area with historical coal mining activity. Mining searches check for potential subsidence from former mine workings beneath the property.
Location resources for Manchester property transactions
Online tools for researching Manchester properties, planning history, and local considerations.
- Manchester City Council Planning Portal - Search planning applications and building regulations in Manchester
- Land Registry price paid data for Manchester - Search property sale prices and ownership records
- Manchester City Council environmental information - Local environmental data and contaminated land information
- Manchester open data portal - Access to local geographic and planning data
- Transport for Greater Manchester - Transport connections and Metrolink services
Our conveyancing services in Manchester
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Manchester
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial verification - confirms the seller has legal right to sell and the property is free from issues.
- Property searches - conducts comprehensive local authority and environmental searches to identify potential problems.
- Property enquiries - raises detailed questions with the seller's solicitor about the property's use and history.
- Contract review - examines all legal documentation and ensures terms protect your interests.
- Mortgage coordination - liaises with your lender to arrange mortgage approval and legal requirements.
- Exchange management - finalises contract terms and coordinates exchange making the purchase legally binding.
- Completion coordination - handles final transfer, arranges mortgage funds, and ensures you receive the keys.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Manchester.
Selling a property in Manchester
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Ownership verification & documentation - confirms you have clear legal title and right to sell, then prepares all legal contracts and documentation for the sale.
- Property enquiries response - answers all legal questions raised by the buyer's solicitor about the property.
- Issue resolution - investigates and resolves any legal concerns or defects identified during the process.
- Mortgage coordination - liaises with your lender to arrange mortgage discharge and settlement.
- Exchange management - finalises contract terms and coordinates the exchange of contracts with the buyer's solicitor.
- Completion coordination - handles the final transfer, receives sale proceeds, pays off your mortgage, and transfers remaining funds to you.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Manchester.
Buying and selling a property in Manchester
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Chain coordination & timeline management - manages both transactions simultaneously to align completion dates and ensure smooth progression.
- Dual contract management - handles sale and purchase contracts together, ensuring all terms work in harmony.
- Financial coordination - manages deposit flows and fund transfers between your sale and purchase.
- Synchronised exchange & completion - coordinates both exchanges and completions to happen seamlessly on the same day.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Manchester.
Remortgaging in Manchester
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial assessment & lender liaison - coordinates between old and new mortgage providers while reviewing your property title.
- Legal documentation & verification - handles all required paperwork and confirms property ownership and restrictions.
- Discharge coordination - arranges settlement of existing mortgage and manages fund transfers.
- Registration completion - updates Land Registry records with new mortgage details and finalises the process.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Manchester.
Transfer of equity in Manchester
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial assessment & transfer preparation - reviews current ownership structure and prepares all necessary transfer documentation.
- Documentation & duty management - handles deed preparation and arranges stamp duty calculations and payments.
- Legal completion & registration - finalises the equity transfer and updates all Land Registry records.
- Support & coordination - provides guidance throughout and ensures smooth completion of the equity transfer.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Manchester.
Manchester area property guide
Understanding Manchester's diverse neighborhoods
Castlefield
Located in central Manchester, Castlefield has a long history based in the industrial revolution, being the terminus of the Bridgewater Canal, the oldest industrial canal in the world, as well as having some of the oldest buildings that supported the local industry. As such, Castlefield is an inner-city conservation area, which is something your conveyancing solicitor will investigate so that you know what restrictions and covenants exist on the property you are planning to buy and therefore how you plan to use it.
Openshaw
Although there is very little in the way of heavy industry in Openshaw these days, it was a major centre for steel, breadmaking and servicing the trains and railways, and it was also part of the war effort hosting a munitions factory. The multicultural nature of today's Openshaw make it a thriving community, but, because of its industrial heritage, before you buy, your conveyancing solicitor will verify the state of any contamination as part of their searches, so that you are clear on what to expect and have the information to hand regarding any plans to solve any contamination that exists.
Levenshulme
With its regular market that offers a variety of ingredients to suit many cuisines, Levenshulme is a residential area that has close access to the thriving amenities, top-flight football (of course) and nightlife that Manchester offers. Levenshulme serves a variety of religious needs with several churches meaning that chancel repair is a possibility. Even though this payment for the upkeep of the local church might not be currently in place, your conveyancing solicitor will investigate the current position, and advise you on whether you should take out a cheap indemnity insurance policy to protect you from any future charges.
Did you know?
Manchester is, of course, the location for the fictional borough of Weatherfield, home to Coronation Street, which began on local independent television in 1960 and is still going strong - the longest-running television programme in the world. Originally planned to be called Florizel Street before the advised change (after someone pointed out that it sounded like a detergent), it also boasts the longest-running actor in the same role, with William Roache (Ken Barlow) appearing in the first episode and still being central to the twisting plots.
Manchester is also the home to the founding of the Suffrage Movement, originally called the Women's Social and Political Union and set up by Mancunian Emmeline Pankhurst resulting in so much social change and paving the road to eventual social equality and women's votes. The Pankhurst Centre, which documents the work of the Suffragettes, is in Emmeline's former home.
Start your Manchester conveyancing journey today
Get expert Manchester conveyancing from solicitors who understand former industrial areas, regeneration zones, and Greater Manchester transport links.
Call now for your free quote - we know Manchester's unique property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in Manchester
What makes conveyancing in Manchester different from other areas?
Manchester's industrial heritage and ongoing regeneration create specific legal considerations. Our conveyancers understand local council requirements, the competitive regional property market, and area-specific searches that may be required.
How long does conveyancing take in Manchester?
The average transaction takes 8-12 weeks, though this can vary based on property type, location, and whether additional searches are required. We'll provide realistic timescales based on your specific circumstances.
How much does conveyancing cost in Manchester?
Our conveyancing legal fees in Manchester start from £510 for a standard purchase transaction, with a transparent breakdown of all costs provided upfront.
Unlike many firms, we provide a Fixed Legal Fee guarantee and No Completion, No Fee protection, ensuring you know exactly what you'll pay with no hidden surprises.
Do I need to visit your offices for Manchester conveyancing?
No, our online service means everything can be handled remotely. Our solicitors have extensive Greater Manchester experience and can manage your transaction efficiently without face-to-face meetings.
