Remortgage solicitors

Remortgage solicitors in Romford and Essex

Your fixed rate is ending. Let’s get your remortgage handled properly, by the same firm trusted with Essex property matters since 1955.

When your current deal comes to an end, the legal side of a remortgage still needs the same care as a purchase, even though the process itself is usually quicker. Our residential property team acts as fixed-fee remortgage solicitors for homeowners across Romford, Gidea Park, Collier Row and the wider Essex area, with one dedicated advisor handling your case from instruction to completion.

Speak to our remortgage solicitors today

How our remortgage service works

Who it’s for

This service is for homeowners remortgaging with a new lender or renewing with their existing one, whether you own a freehold or leasehold property. It also covers shared ownership leases, an area where demand is growing as more homeowners reach the end of a fixed rate on a part-buy, part-rent property. Where your lease needs housing association consent as part of the remortgage, we handle that as part of the process.

When you need it

Most people instruct a remortgage solicitor once their new mortgage offer has been issued, though we can start ID and property checks as soon as you know you’re switching. Common reasons to remortgage include your current deal ending, wanting a better rate or borrowing more against your home for a specific purpose such as renovations.

The remortgage process

Once you’re ready to proceed, four steps take you from instruction to completion:

We verify your identity and check the title to your property
We raise and resolve any enquiries your new lender needs answered
We redeem your existing mortgage (pay off the existing loan in full) on the day of completion
We register your new lender’s charge (its legal interest in the property) at the Land Registry

Timescales

A remortgage is usually faster than a purchase because there’s no chain to wait on, so four to six weeks from instruction to completion is common. That said, your new lender still requires the same legal checks as a purchase to protect its interest in the property, including a title check and, in most cases, search results or search indemnity insurance. These checks aren’t optional if the transaction is going to satisfy your lender’s conditions.

Costs

Our fee for a remortgage typically ranges from £750 to £1,500 (plus VAT), depending on the value and complexity of your property. We agree this with you in writing before we start work, so there are no surprises. See our pricing guide for current fee ranges across all our conveyancing services. As we’re on all the major mortgage lender panels, we can usually act for you and your new lender at the same time, which avoids the cost and delay of instructing a second solicitor.

Outcomes

By the end of the process, your new mortgage is in place, your previous lender has been repaid, and the Land Registry holds an up-to-date record of your new lender’s interest, all handled by one advisor who has been with you from the first phone call to completion.

Why choose F Barnes for your remortgage

Since 1955, we have helped people across Essex with their homes, and residential property remains one of our busiest and most established teams.

A track record without losing the personal touch.

In 2025 alone, our residential property team completed 330 matters, more than one for every working day of the year. Even so, every client is looked after by one dedicated legal advisor from start to finish, so you always know who to call.

Solicitor-led oversight.

As a full-service law firm regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), F Barnes can bring in the right specialist if something beyond conveyancing needs attention during your remortgage, such as a boundary query or a change to a will. Every residential property matter also sits within a department led by a Director, giving your transaction senior oversight from the outset.

Legal professionals only.

Every transaction is handled by qualified solicitors and conveyancing executives, never trainees or pooled case handlers, so the person who quotes your fee is the person who sees your remortgage through to completion.

Accreditations that back up our advice.

We hold the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation and Lexcel accreditation, both of which involve independent audits of our case handling, communication and client care.

Read our reviews. Read reviews from F Barnes clients.

Testimonials

❞

Excellent service provided to us by Rochelle Meheux from start to finish. Highly recommend this Solicitors firm to anyone.

Helena Corney

❞

Thank you so so much Tracey and Razia from the Collier Row branch you are outstanding professionals. We were amazed just how quickly you dealt... Read More

Karen O’Shea

Ready to remortgage without the legal headache? Talk to our remortgage solicitors about a fixed fee, a dedicated advisor and a clear timeline for your new deal.

Remortgage FAQs

What happens if I do nothing when my current deal ends?

Your lender will usually move you onto its standard variable rate, which is typically higher than the rate you were on, so the cost of delaying a remortgage can add up quickly. Starting the legal side of your remortgage as soon as you have a new offer helps you avoid this gap.

What’s the difference between a solicitor and a licensed conveyancer for a remortgage?

Both are qualified and regulated to handle your remortgage. The difference is in training and scope: a solicitor’s qualification covers the wider law, not just property. At F Barnes, every residential property matter sits within a department led by a Director, so your case has that oversight built in from the outset, and if something beyond conveyancing comes up during your remortgage, the right specialist is already within the firm.

How are legal fees calculated?

We agree fees with you before work begins, so there are no surprises. For many services, including conveyancing and probate, we will provide a clear quote at the outset based on the specifics of your matter.

What’s the most common mistake people make when remortgaging?

Leaving instruction too late. If your solicitor doesn’t start the legal checks until close to your current deal’s end date, you risk moving onto your lender’s standard variable rate while the work is completed. Instructing a solicitor as soon as your mortgage offer is issued, or even before, keeps things on track.

I’m staying with my current mortgage provider. Do I even need a solicitor?

Continuing with your current provider on a straightforward product transfer can work well for some homeowners. That said, it’s usually worth shopping around first: switching lenders to secure a better rate can save thousands of pounds over the life of your mortgage, and our team can act quickly once you’ve found a deal worth moving for.

If I’m just remortgaging, why do I still need the full legal checks?

Your new lender is taking on a fresh legal charge over your property, so it needs the same assurance it would for a purchase: an up-to-date title check and either search results or search indemnity insurance. The process is usually quicker than a purchase because there’s no chain, but the checks themselves aren’t optional.

Remortgage solicitors