In this episode of Do Yourself Justice, your host Danny Lawrence is joined by Brett Lawrence, partner at Slee Blackwell Solicitors (and probably no relation), for a frank and practical conversation about the legal chaos, costs, and emotional rollercoaster of moving house.

If you’ve ever wondered why moving takes so long, whether you need to use your estate agent’s preferred solicitor, or what happens if the buyer in your chain pulls out — this episode is for you.

Together, Danny and Brett cover:

• The key roles of estate agents, mortgage brokers, and solicitors

• How to budget for buying or selling a property

• The often-overlooked costs (like stamp duty and leasehold fees)

• The real reasons conveyancing takes so long

• What searches actually reveal (and what they don’t)

• Managing stress and avoiding panic during delays

• When completion becomes legally binding

• What gazumping really means (and how rare it is)

• How to handle neighbour disputes and post-sale surprises

• What your solicitor can and can’t do for you

Brett draws on over 20 years of experience and thousands of property transactions to offer real-world advice for first-time buyers, anxious sellers, and anyone stuck in a frustrating housing chain. With practical tips, honest answers, and a couple of memorable stories (including the time a client moved into their new home two weeks early...), this is the moving-house episode everyone should hear before they pack a single box.

Don’t get caught out — get informed.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Do Yourself Justice01:51 Who is involved when I'm buying a house?02:16 What is the role of the estate agent when I'm buying or selling and house?03:23 What does a mortgage broker do when I'm buying a house?04:27 How much does it cost to buy or sell a house in the UK?08:42 Why does it take so long to buy or sell a house?08:50 What does a solicitor do when I'm buying or selling a house?10:20 What are conveyancing searches and are they really necessary when buying a house?11:11 What can hold up a mortgage during a house purchase?14:53 A Do Yourself Justice scenario16:14 Do I have to use the solicitor the estate agents want me to when buying a house?17:36 What can I do if the house seller is causing delays?18:20 Do house sellers have to tell you about a neighbour dispute?20:34 How can I make buying or selling a house less stressful?21:28 How long does it usually take to complete a house sale or purchase?24:33 When is a house moving date legally fixed?25:49 Can someone gazump me once my offer on a house has been accepted?26:58 What happens if someone pulls out of the house chain before we move?29:33 What happens if I find a problem with a house after I buy it and move in?32:01 What won't a solicitor do when I'm buying a house?32:11 Will a solicitor check the physical condition of a house before I buy it?34:47 What's the weirdest thing that can go wrong when buying or selling a house?36:24 Where can I find a solicitor to help with buying or selling a house?37:11 Ending

Keywords:
#moving house, #property transactions, #legal advice, #buying a home, #selling a home, #solicitors, #stress, #conveyancing, #first-time buyers, #neighbour disputes, #completion, #estate agents, #mortgage brokers, #Brett Lawrence, #Slee Blackwell Solicitors