Find a conveyancing solicitor in Edinburgh

Parts of south-east Edinburgh, including Niddrie, Newcraighall and Gilmerton, sit above former coal and limestone workings from the edge of the Midlothian Coalfield, so a mining search is worth doing for properties in those specific areas — it isn’t a citywide concern. Flood risk is relevant near the Water of Leith and in coastal areas like Leith, Granton and Portobello, and any property in the Old or New Town — together a UNESCO World Heritage Site — will need a listed building or conservation area check.

Scotland doesn’t use the English leasehold system — tenement flats are owned outright, with common repairs and maintenance managed through a title deed or Deed of Conditions and, usually, a factor. Your solicitor will check the title, any shared repair obligations, and the property’s Home Report before you make an offer. If you’re buying near Granton, one of Scotland’s largest active waterfront regeneration schemes, it’s also worth asking whether the area is affected by any planning or infrastructure changes.

They handle local authority and property searches, review the title and any Home Report, negotiate and conclude missives on your behalf, transfer funds, and register the change of ownership with Registers of Scotland. The process runs differently to England and Wales — there’s no separate “exchange of contracts” stage, since concluding missives is the binding step.

Both can legally handle your property transaction. A solicitor is qualified in general law and regulated by the SRA; a licensed conveyancer specialises exclusively in property law and is regulated by the CLC. For a straightforward move, either is a good choice, and what matters more is their experience with the specific property type you're buying or selling. Read our property solicitor vs conveyancer guide for a more detailed overview.

Yes. Even without a mortgage lender to satisfy, you still need someone to handle searches, contracts, and the legal transfer of ownership. Skipping this step leaves you exposed to risks a survey alone won't catch.