On this page
Free legals is a package many mortgage lenders offer as part of a standard remortgage, covering the usual legal work through a solicitor from their own approved panel, at no separate cost to you. It’s designed to remove one of the main costs and hassles of remortgaging for straightforward cases, though it doesn’t cover every situation.
What does a free legal package actually cover?
A typical free legal package includes the standard conveyancing work needed to switch your mortgage:
- checking the title of your property
- redeeming your existing mortgage, using funds from the new lender
- registering the new mortgage with the Land Registry
- the panel solicitor’s own fees for this standard work
It’s usually offered as an alternative to a cashback or fee-free option on the same deal, so it’s worth checking whether it, or an alternative, suits your situation better. Some lenders offer free legals only on certain deals, or only above a minimum loan amount, so the exact offer can vary even within the same lender’s range. Our guide on how much it costs to remortgage sets out how legal fees sit alongside other remortgage costs.
Who is the solicitor actually working for?
The panel solicitor in a free legal package typically acts for both you and the lender at the same time, known as dual representation. This works well for a straightforward remortgage because both sides want the same outcome: a clean transfer of the mortgage. If something more complicated came up, such as a dispute over the title, the solicitor would need to flag it, and you might then need independent advice.
What does free legals usually not cover?
Free legal packages are built around simple, like-for-like remortgages, so several situations commonly fall outside them, or need extra work that isn’t included:
| Situation | Usually covered by free legals? |
|---|---|
| Straightforward remortgage, same borrowers, same property | Yes |
| Adding or removing a borrower (transfer of equity) | Often not; usually needs extra legal work |
| Redeeming an existing second charge mortgage at the same time | Often not fully included |
| Leasehold property with a short remaining lease | Sometimes needs extra checks, which may cost more |
| Using your own solicitor instead of the lender’s panel firm | No; you’d typically pay for this separately |
| A product transfer with your existing lender | Not usually relevant, since little or no legal work is involved |
If your situation includes any of these, ask your lender or adviser what’s covered and what, if anything, you’d need to pay for separately.
Free legals versus using your own solicitor
Using the free legal package keeps your remortgage cost down and is often the simplest route for a standard switch. Choosing your own solicitor instead can make sense if you want independent advice, you already have a solicitor you trust, or your situation is more complex, for example a transfer of equity after a divorce or separation. Our guide on whether you need a solicitor to remortgage covers this choice, and what a solicitor does day to day, in more depth.
How long does the legal work under a free legal package usually take?
For a straightforward remortgage, the legal work is often one of the quicker parts of the process, since the panel solicitor deals with familiar, standard steps. Delays are more likely to come from title queries, missing documents, or a leasehold with a short remaining lease, rather than from the package being free rather than paid for. Our guide on how long a remortgage takes covers the overall timeline, including the legal stage.
Why might a lender not offer free legals?
Not every lender or every deal includes a free legal package. Some deals offer it as one option alongside a fee-free or cashback alternative, while some lenders, particularly certain specialist ones, don’t offer it at all. Where it isn’t offered, you’d usually need to arrange and pay for your own solicitor or conveyancer.
Can you still negotiate if you use the free legal package?
Using the panel solicitor doesn’t usually stop you asking questions or raising concerns about the process. If a genuine conflict arose, for example a disagreement over how a title matter should be handled, dual representation would need to end for that issue and you might need your own advice at that point. For the vast majority of straightforward remortgages, this situation doesn’t arise, and the free legal package runs smoothly from start to finish.
What changes if you have adverse credit?
Whether free legals is available doesn’t usually depend on your credit history directly, since it’s a feature of the deal and lender you choose, not of your credit file. Where it can matter is that some specialist lenders who consider CCJs, defaults or other adverse credit may be less likely to offer a free legal package, or may offer it only on certain products, so it’s worth checking as part of comparing deals rather than assuming it.
If your situation is more complex, for example remortgaging during an IVA or alongside redeeming a second charge, extra legal work is more likely regardless of your credit history, and a free legal package may not stretch to cover it. A specialist adviser can tell you what to expect for your circumstances, and free, impartial advice is available from MoneyHelper if you’re unsure what any part of the process involves.
Frequently asked questions
Who actually pays for free legals?
The lender covers the cost of the standard legal work as part of offering you the mortgage, rather than charging you separately for it. It isn't really free in the sense of costing nobody anything; it's built into the lender offering the deal, rather than a fee you pay upfront.
Can the same solicitor act for me and my lender?
Yes, this is common in a free legal package. The panel solicitor represents both your lender's interests and yours in a straightforward remortgage. If a conflict arose, for example over a title issue, they would need to tell you and you might need separate advice at that point.
Does a product transfer come with free legals?
Usually there's little or no legal work involved in a product transfer, since your mortgage isn't being redeemed and replaced, so a free legal package as such doesn't typically apply or need to. The situations a free legal package covers, such as redeeming an old mortgage, simply don't arise. See what a product transfer is.
What if my lender doesn't offer free legals?
Some lenders, particularly certain specialist ones, don't include a free legal package on some or all of their deals, meaning you'd need to arrange and pay for your own solicitor or licensed conveyancer instead. Ask your lender or adviser whether legal costs are included before you commit to a specific deal.