Conveyancing in Durham
Conveyancing is the legal work that ensures property is transferred from a seller to a buyer. If you need a solicitor for conveyancing in Durham, we can help you with fast & proactive conveyancing from a national panel of conveyancing specialists.
We have helped Durham and Durham clients 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: Darlington, Halifax, Hartlepool and Stockton On Tees
Buying property in Durham
A cathedral city in North East England, Durham is known for its Norman Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle, and Durham University. Popular residential areas include Nevilles Cross and Gilesgate. Durham has a mainline railway station, providing links to Newcastle and York. Durham has a population of approximately 48,000.
Council Tax in Durham (2023/24)
| Band | Amount |
|---|---|
| A | £1,544.09 |
| B | £1,801.43 |
| C | £2,058.78 |
| D | £2,316.13 |
| E | £2,830.83 |
| F | £3,345.52 |
| G | £3,860.22 |
| H | £4,632.26 |
What do Durham conveyancing solicitors do?
A conveyancing solicitor oversees all post-offer aspects of purchasing a house or flat, and steers the buyer through the legal aspects of the transaction. They will order property searches, raise enquires of the seller's solicitor, review the lease (if applicable) and handle post-completion tasks, such as HMLR registration and paying SDLT.
In addition to standard searches, Durham conveyancing solicitors may also carry out coal mining searches due to the history of the Durham coalfield.
Purchasing a home with a mortgage?
When you buy a property with a mortgage, the bank arranging your mortgage must check the property meets their criteria for lending.
If your conveyancer is not on your chosen lender's panel, your purchase could take weeks longer to complete.Over 100 banks and building societies have approved our chosen panel solicitors, so we can help you complete your Durham transaction smoothly.
Read more:
Conveyancing for buying a property
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
Approved by over 100 more
We have also helped home buyers in Durham with conveyancing for:
There are over half a million listed buildings in England and Wales, and around 3,360 of which are in Durham County Council. Listed buildings in and near to Durham include: Buying and owning a listed building is not for the faint-hearted. Examples of the duties faced by listed property owners include maintenance of historic features, and consent for any alterations that might change the character of the property. Our specialist panel of solicitors will explain to you the obligations imposed by listed property ownership. Read more:Listed buildings
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Selling a house or flat in Durham
When you begin the process to sell homes in Durham, your solicitor will first compile key documents, including title deeds and the TA6 and TA10 property information forms, and help you fill out these forms.
The solicitor's role involves responding to enquiries from the buyer's solicitor, resolving issues like lack of conservation area consent and redeeming the mortgage.To ensure the transaction is straightforward, the solicitor will communicate effectively with the other parties, such as agents, managing agents and lenders.
Does it take longer to sell a leasehold property?
Compared to freehold property, yes. The conveyancing for selling a leasehold property can be seriously delayed.
The buyer's solicitor will want to see this leasehold-related paperwork, including a copy of buildings insurance for the common parts of the property. The time it takes your lawyer to gather this paperwork is the common cause of such delays.
The seller's solicitor should commence this even before a sale has been agreed, because these details could take several weeks to collect if the managing agent or landlord is slow or difficult to contact.
Read more:
Selling a leasehold flat? What to do before going on the market
Conveyancing for selling a property
Remortgaging
The official base rate is 4.5% (28 April, 2025)
You should verify the solicitor that you want to handle your remortgage is an approved member of your lender's legal panel before you instruct.
Quittance panel solicitors are on the legal panels of over 100 banks and building societies, so whether you are changing to a 25-year mortgage with TSB or taking out a 3-year tracker rate from Cynergy Bank, we can help take care of the legal side.
Read more:
Check our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
Get a remortgage conveyancing quote
Transfer of equity in Durham
If you plan to restructure the ownership of your home, whether you are buying out a joint owner, tax planning for the future or gifting a property, a transfer of equity is required. Your lawyer will complete the legal work for a low, fixed fee.
Read more:
Transfer of equity Stamp Duty calculator
Get a transfer of equity conveyancing quote
How much does conveyancing cost in Durham?
Solicitors' fees
The conveyancing quote should clearly detail the legal fees, including VAT, that you pay when the property transaction is complete. These fees are what your lawyer charges you for the work they carry out.
Disbursements
The conveyancing quote should also include any disbursements, which are third-party costs, such as Stamp Duty and property searches.
Check the T's & C's
Beware of extra fees, if you are comparing conveyancing quotes. Some firms may set out extra costs in the small print. This can mean a higher-than-expected final bill.
