Conveyancing Fees

Buying or selling a property is a major life event, often involving significant financial and legal complexities. At HM & Co. Solicitors, our specialist conveyancing team is dedicated to providing a seamless experience and safeguarding your interests at every stage. With extensive expertise and an efficient approach, we strive to make the conveyancing process as straightforward as possible, giving you peace of mind.

Our Conveyancing Services

Below are just some of the conveyancing services our experienced lawyers offer:

  • Residential Conveyancing Transactions
  • Remortgages
  • Buy-to-Let Investments
  • Leaseholds
  • Shared Ownership
  • New Builds
  • Adverse Possession
  • Transfers of Equity
  • Right to Buy

Why Choose HM & Co. Solicitors?

  1. Personalised Support
    We understand that every client has unique concerns and objectives. You’ll work directly with the same expert conveyancing solicitor throughout the process, ensuring a dedicated, tailor-made service.

  2. Efficiency and Expertise
    With a wealth of knowledge, our team anticipates potential hurdles early on. We handle matters swiftly and thoroughly, keeping communication clear and concise.

  3. Accreditation and Reputation
    Our high professional standards have earned us accreditation, and our goal is to uphold an exceptional reputation for delivering reliable, client-focused services.

  4. Local and Nationwide Reach
    Our offices are well placed to support you whether you’re located locally or elsewhere in the UK. We can communicate with you via phone, email, or video conferencing—whatever best suits your needs.

Our Core Conveyancing Services in Detail

1. Purchasing or Selling Residential Property

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a current homeowner seeking to move, or an investor, our conveyancing solicitors will facilitate a smooth transfer of ownership. We’ll:

  • Conduct thorough searches and checks.
  • Draft and review Contracts of Sale.
  • Address all fees, including Stamp Duty.
  • Manage the final exchange of contracts and completion.

Our approach is to anticipate potential issues and resolve them promptly, allowing your transaction to progress quickly and confidently.

2. Remortgaging

Opting to remortgage may save you money, release equity, or otherwise better align your mortgage terms with your financial goals. With so many possibilities and potential pitfalls, having a legal expert is crucial:

  • We advise on lender requirements.
  • We examine title deeds.
  • We ensure all terms reflect your best interests.

3. Leasehold Properties

Leasehold ownership has distinct legal implications compared to freehold. As a leaseholder:

  • You own the property for the duration of the lease.
  • When the lease ends, ownership may revert to the freeholder.

Our solicitors can guide you through lease extensions, ground rent complexities, and any covenants stated in the lease.

4. Shared Ownership

Shared Ownership Schemes can help first-time buyers or those with limited budgets get onto the property ladder. Through the scheme, you purchase a share of the property and pay rent on the remaining share. Our team will:

  • Explain how the scheme works.
  • Handle the legal aspects of purchasing or selling a share in a property.
  • Clarify your rights and obligations within this arrangement.

5. Buy-to-Let Investments

Purchasing a property to rent out can be lucrative. However, legal obligations—like tenancy agreements, potential tax considerations, and buy-to-let mortgages—can complicate matters. We:

  • Provide step-by-step guidance on the legal aspects.
  • Review mortgage terms.
  • Manage the entire purchase or sale process on your behalf.

6. New Builds

Buying a newly constructed property can present extra steps in your conveyancing journey:

  • Ensuring planning permission is in order.
  • Reviewing the building warranty (e.g. NHBC).
  • Checking the developer’s contract clauses.

Our goal is to avoid common pitfalls like delayed completion dates or unclear warranties.

7. Adverse Possession

Adverse possession arises when someone occupies land they do not legally own for a specific period (usually 10 years or more). Under certain conditions, the occupant may gain ownership rights. We’ll:

  • Assess if your circumstances qualify for a claim.
  • Provide representation to defend or pursue an adverse possession application.
  • Aim to find the right dispute resolution process for all involved.

8. Transfers of Equity

A transfer of equity occurs when there is a change to the legal ownership of a property—such as adding or removing an owner. This can happen due to:

  • Separation or divorce.
  • One person wants to become a co-owner.
  • Parents gifting a share to a child.

Our solicitors ensure that any revised ownership arrangements are legally watertight.

9. Right to Buy

Under the Right to Buy scheme, eligible social housing tenants can purchase their council property at a discounted price. Our solicitors:

  • Advise on eligibility and the scheme’s rules.
  • Review the discount amount, title deeds, and mortgage arrangements.
  • Provide ongoing guidance from start to finish.

Contact HM & Co. Solicitors

Whether you’re buying your first home, remortgaging for a better rate, or building your property portfolio, HM & Co. Solicitors is here to help. Contact us for comprehensive conveyancing advice and representation:

Address: 186 Lower Road, Surrey Quays, London SE16 2UN
Telephone: 02071128180
Email: info@hmsolicitorsltd.com

We look forward to supporting you with a bespoke, friendly and efficient conveyancing service—ensuring clarity, peace of mind, and a secure property transaction.

Your Questions, Answered

FAQs

Conveyancing and Local Authority Searches GAQs

What is a Local Authority Search?

A Local Authority Search is a check carried out by your conveyancer or solicitor when you buy a property. It provides information about the property’s legal status, planning history, and the area’s local development plans. This ensures you understand factors that could affect the property’s value or your enjoyment of it, such as future building work or any restrictions that may apply.

Why is it so Important?

Without a Local Authority Search, you may not realise, for example, that a major new development or busy road is planned near the property. Or that a previous extension at the back of the house might not have had proper planning permission. If you discover such issues after purchasing, they can be time-consuming and expensive to resolve—or worse, you might find you’ve significantly overpaid for the house.

 

Do I Really Need One?

Yes. Even if you are buying a property without a mortgage, it is highly advisable to conduct a Local Authority Search. Lenders insist on this search for properties bought with a mortgage, as it helps protect their investment (and yours) by ensuring there are no hidden problems.

 

What Does a Local Authority Search Show?

The Local Authority Search report typically covers:

  • Planning Permissions & Building Regulations: Shows whether extensions or alterations have proper authorisation.
  • Roads & Footpaths: Indicates whether roads or footpaths next to the property are public or private (which might create maintenance responsibilities for the homeowner).
  • Proposed Road Schemes: Provides insight into any future highways or planning proposals that could affect the property’s value.
  • Conservation Areas & Protected Trees: Lets you know if there are special rules or restrictions in force due to conservation.
  • Enforcement Notices or Legal Restrictions: Alerts you to any breaches of planning conditions or notices that the local authority may enforce.

 

How Much Does It Cost & Who Pays?

The buyer typically pays for the Local Authority Search. Fees vary by local authority but can often be around £100 (sometimes more). Your conveyancer will usually handle the process of ordering and paying for it on your behalf.

 

How Long Does It Take?

In general, the results can come back in around one to two weeks, but it varies from one local authority to another. Some may take several weeks depending on demand or complexity.

 

Does a Local Authority Search Include a Physical Inspection?

No. A Local Authority Search is a desktop-based review of the property’s official records. It does not replace a survey, which examines the physical condition of the building. Similarly, it does not include recent planning applications submitted after the date of the search, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on local planning portals for the most up-to-date information.

 

Protecting Your Interests in Conveyancing

Local Authority Searches are just one part of the conveyancing puzzle. Your conveyancer or solicitor will carry out several other checks, known as property searches, which may include:

  • Water & Drainage Search
  • Environmental Search
  • Chancel Repair Search

These searches all play a part in painting a complete picture of the property’s status and any risks.


Need More Help with Conveyancing?

We hope these FAQs give you a better idea of how Local Authority Searches fit into buying or selling a property.

If you have further questions or need support on any aspect of conveyancing, please get in touch with HM & Co. Solicitors.
We offer tailored advice from a team of experienced professionals to make your property transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Contact HM & Co. Solicitors

Our friendly team of legal experts is on hand to discuss your needs and guide you through the conveyancing process from start to finish. Feel free to call or email, and we’ll do all we can to help you secure peace of mind in your property transaction.

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