Conveyancing in Baldock
Conveyancing describes the work a solicitor does to transfer the legal title of a property from a seller to a buyer. If you're looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Baldock, you're in the right place. Get a fast & proactive solicitor from a nationwide panel of conveyancing experts.
We have helped clients in Baldock and throughout North Hertfordshire with buying, selling, buy-to-let, Help to Buy, Right to Buy, shared ownership, new build, leasehold, lease extensions, remortgage and transfer of equity.
Other areas covered: Biggleswade, Cambridge, Hemel Hempstead and Hitchin
Buying property in Baldock
A historic market town in Hertfordshire, Baldock is known for its many 18th-century buildings and its annual beer festival. It offers a mix of history and modern conveniences. Baldock has a population of approximately 10,300.
Council Tax in Baldock (2023/24)
Baldock is in North Hertfordshire District Council.
Band | Amount |
---|---|
A | £1,415.66 |
B | £1,651.60 |
C | £1,887.54 |
D | £2,123.49 |
E | £2,595.38 |
F | £3,067.26 |
G | £3,539.15 |
H | £4,246.98 |
What do Baldock conveyancing solicitors do?
A conveyancer or solicitor assists the buyer with the legal side of a home purchase.
The solicitor will raise questions for the seller's solicitor, order property searches, review the contract of sale and take care of tasks after the sale, such as HMLR registration.
In addition to standard searches, Baldock conveyancing solicitors may also undertake frequent checks for contamination due to the area's industrial past.
Purchasing a property with a mortgage?
Whether you are buying a residential property to live in or buying a property to rent out, your solicitor must also complete legal work for your lender.
Panel approval means your solicitor can act on behalf of your mortgage provider.
Our chosen panel lawyers have established relationships with the majority of lenders, including major banks like Santander, to smaller lenders like Bradford and Bingley and Bluestone Mortgages - so you can complete your purchase without delay.
Read more:
Conveyancing for buying a property
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
We can assist home movers in Baldock with conveyancing for:
When you buy a house or flat in a conservation area, your lawyer will check for potential planning breaches, including paint and colour scheme restrictions, and new boundaries, fences and railings. Conservation areas in Baldock and the North Hertfordshire local authority include:Buying in a conservation area
Around half a million listed properties exist across the country, 1,816 of which are in North Hertfordshire District Council. Baldock listed buildings include: Buying a listed building is not a decision to be taken lightly. Our experienced panel of solicitors will clarify what duties your ownership will impose. Examples include use of traditional methods and materials for maintenance, consent for any alterations that might change the character of the property and an obligation to maintain the property's surroundings in a manner consistent with its historic character. Read more:Listed buildings
New Build Conveyancing
The conveyancing process for acquiring a new build property in Baldock is more complicated than buying an existing property.
A solicitor in Baldock must be able to deal with things like dealing with lender conditions, ensuring that the contract is in the buyer's favour and checking new build warranties with warranty providers, including NHBC Buildmark, Advantage and ACHI/Vantage.
Read more:
Selling a property in Baldock
At the start of the property selling process in Baldock, your lawyer will compile key documents, including property information forms and the draft contract.
The solicitor will advise on enquiries sent by the buyer's conveyancer, sort out potential snags and redeem the existing mortgage.Your solicitor will also work with both sides, including estate agents, landlords and lenders, confirming that the sale of your home completes without delay.
Does a leasehold property take longer to sell?
Yes, that's correct, it can take much longer to conduct the conveyancing to sell a leasehold home, compared to the sale of a freehold property.
The buyer's conveyancer must review these documents, such as details of any breaches by other leaseholders. Delays are usually caused by the time needed by the solicitor to get these documents together.
It can take weeks to collect the managing agent's information if it is difficult to contact the managing agent, so your lawyer should start this process as soon as possible.
Read more:
Selling a leasehold flat? What to do before going on the market
Conveyancing for selling a property
Remortgaging
The current Bank of England base rate is 4.5% (28 April, 2025)
You should verify your preferred solicitor is on your lender's panel before you instruct your solicitor.
Quittance panel solicitors are on the panels of almost all banks and building societies. Whether you are switching to a 30-year mortgage from TSB or taking out a variable rate mortgage from Aldermore Bank, our experienced conveyancing team can guide you through the remortgage process.
Read more:
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your lender
Get a remortgage conveyancing quote
Transfer of equity
Whether you are estate planning, gifting a property or buying out the equity of a joint owner, a transfer of equity is required. Your conveyancer will handle the legal side for a fixed fee.
Read more:
Transfer of equity Stamp Duty calculator
Get a transfer of equity conveyancing quote
How much are conveyancing fees in Baldock?
When you are comparing quotes, it isn't always easy to be certain you are comparing like to like.
Solicitors' fees
Your solicitor's quote will detail the fees for the legal work, including VAT, to be paid when the conveyancing transaction completes. These legal fees are paid to your solicitor or conveyancer for the work they complete during your property transaction.
Disbursements
A disbursement is an expense your solicitor or conveyancer will pay on your behalf which will be added to your bill when you complete. Third-party disbursements include Local authority searches, Stamp Duty or telegraphic transfer fees.
Check for hidden costs
Some firms include additional fees in the small print. This can mean a final bill that is higher than the original quote. When you compare conveyancing quotes, double-check for additional fees or charges.