Should you choose Free Legals for your conveyancing
When applying for a mortgage you might be offered a deal that includes free legal services, and at first this may seem like a great way to save money. But these “free” services often come with hidden costs — not financial, but in terms of time, stress, and risk. In this post, we look at the reasons GDA do not recommend them at GDA Financial Partners.
Limited Service Provision
Free legal services are usually restricted to the bare minimum required to complete the mortgage transaction. They often exclude advice on the wider legal implications of the transaction, help with issues such as leasehold or the title, or additional work involved in handling gifted deposits or resolving boundary disputes.
No personal point of contact
Unlike independent solicitors who work directly for you, lender-appointed solicitors are often part of large, volume-driven conveyancing firms and you may find that communication is slow or inconsistent, and your case ends up as just another number. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to meet tight deadlines or resolve urgent issues.
Conflicts of Interest
The solicitor is technically acting for both you and the lender — but their primary duty is to protect the lender’s interests. This can lead to situations where your concerns are deprioritised or you are not given full transparency on risks that don’t affect the lender.
Delays and Poor Communication
Many free legal service providers operate on high volume and low margins. This often results in long wait times for updates, missed deadlines, and poor coordination with estate agents and brokers.
Hidden Costs and Upselling
While the legal service is advertised as “free,” clients often find themselves paying for things such as ID verification, bank transfer fees and additional legal work outside the basic scope. These costs can add up quickly and erode the savings you thought you were making.
What GDA Recommends Instead
Ideally you should use a trusted, independent solicitor — ideally one with a strong track record in residential conveyancing and good communication skills. You may have had a good experience with a solicitor previously that you can instruct again, or ask your adviser for a recommendation. Your adviser will be able to recommend a solicitor who will give you a personal service that they are able to trust with their clients. While this might cost more upfront, it often results in faster, smoother transactions, better protection of your interests, and peace of mind throughout the process as you are always able to have a contact point at any time. It also has the added advantage of allowing your mortgage adviser to provide additional support throughout the conveyancing process.
While free legal services may seem like a no-brainer, they often come with trade-offs that can cause you problems and add unnecessary stress. As your mortgage adviser, our aim is to always prioritise your long-term interests and that includes recommending legal support that’s truly on your side.
This article isn’t personal advice. If you’re not sure whether a course of action is right for you, ask for financial advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
