Residential Property

Why choose us?

We can assist with buying or selling, transferring ownership, mortgaging, or raising capital from your home by equity release scheme and dealing with both freehold and leasehold properties.

We are accredited members of the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme and are members on all main panels.

Our New Homes team will assist you with every step of the process, from reservation through to completion and registration.

• We will guide you through the transaction as quickly and informatively as possible.

• You can keep in touch with us at a time which suits you via email or telephone.

• We adopt a proactive approach to all matters ensuring a speedy conclusion to your transaction.

• We work as a team and whilst all clients will have the personal attention of an individual member, all team members are able to help and advise.

• We will provide you with full details of our costs at the outset of each matter.

• On your purchase, we will send you a full written purchase report explaining everything you need to know, together with copies of all important documents.

• We have a specialist new build team dealing with all aspects of purchasing a new build or off-plan property.

• Remote ID and Source of Funds checks via a trusted and regulated provider, Thirdfort.

What We Do

Selling Freehold and Leasehold Property/Land

At the start of the transaction, it is the responsibility of the Seller’s legal adviser to provide details of the ownership of the property / land and a comprehensive contract pack to the Buyer’s representative.

The contract pack must include; evidence of the Seller’s ownership of the property / land with completed information forms and supporting documents.

We will need to provide relevant information in relation to any works carried out to the property, in addition to copies of all relevant planning permissions, evidence of building regulations compliance together with any warranties or guarantees.

Buying Freehold and Leasehold Property/Land

The purchase of a property is usually the largest investment anyone makes so it is vital that all aspects are fully and carefully considered.

The basic principle of “caveat emptor” (buyer beware) is that it is up to a Buyer to carry out all searches, surveys and to ensure that everything is in order before committing to a purchase.

During the transaction the legal title must be fully investigated, and conveyancing searches must be carried out to ensure that the property and its services are satisfactory to both the Buyer’s and the Buyer’s lender’s requirements.

Stamp Duty land Tax (“SDLT”) or Land Transaction Tax (“LTT”)

SDLT is payable if the property is located in England and LTT is payable if it is in Wales.

If the property straddles the border then the rules are more complex and apportionment will be required.

The amount of SDLT / LTT depends predominantly upon the purchase price of the property but can also be affected by other aspects of the transaction, e.g. whether the property will be the only one you own after completion and whether you have been living abroad.

Transfer of ownership/equity

Sometimes your circumstances change after buying a property. We will deal with the transfer sensitively and efficiently. Our Private Client and Family team would be happy to provide further advice about the change in circumstances.

Mortgage/Re-Mortgage

With so many mortgage products available, clients often change mortgage lenders to take advantage of special offers. We are on the panel of all main mortgage lenders and so are able to help you switch to your new lender smoothly.

Equity release schemes

Because of the high value of properties, clients often find that it is useful to release some of the capital tied up in their home in order to fund other projects or to supplement pension income in preference to selling. We can offer straightforward, comprehensive advice about this complex area and the particular scheme you choose.

Registration of land

There are many circumstances in which it may be beneficial to register your land with the Land Registry. We can advise on the entire registration process, and our specialist team are highly experienced in registering titles for all types of property from residential houses to large estates.

Extending the term of a lease

If the premium for extending the Lease has been agreed, then we would be able to assist in this process.

What should I do next?

Selling a property

You should appoint a legal advisor before you place the property on the market to ensure the legal process proceeds swiftly once a sale is negotiated.

Buying a property

• If you are borrowing monies to fund the purchase, you should see a financial advisor to discuss arranging a mortgage.

• You should appoint a legal advisor once your offer has been accepted

• It is prudent for you to arrange to have a detailed survey of the property you are buying. The survey your mortgage lender will require is a valuation for mortgage lending only.

We can explain the types of surveys available and signpost you to a suitable surveyor.

• If it is a joint purchase, you will need to decide how you wish to share the ownership.