Conveyancing in Richmond Upon Thames
Conveyancing is the legal process of buying and selling property, where a solicitor ensures that the transfer of ownership complies with legal requirements. If you're looking for a conveyancing solicitor in Richmond Upon Thames, you're in the right place. Get a fast & proactive solicitor from a nationwide panel of conveyancing experts.
We have helped Richmond Upon Thames and London 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: Isleworth, New Malden, Twickenham, West London and London
Buying property in Richmond Upon Thames
A leafy borough in South West London, Richmond is known for its rich history, charming town centre, stunning parkland, including the vast Richmond Park, and beautiful views from Richmond Hill. With an idyllic riverside location and excellent transport links to Central London, Richmond offers an idyllic urban lifestyle. The borough has a population of approximately 198,000.
Council Tax in Richmond Upon Thames (2023/24)
Richmond Upon Thames is in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
What does a property lawyer do?
Your property lawyer plays a key role after an offer has been accepted. This means performing due diligence on the property, including obtaining searches from authorities including Richmond-upon-Thames Council, raising questions for the seller's solicitor and handling the transfer of funds.
Further to the standard checks and searches, Richmond Upon Thames conveyancing solicitors may carry out checks for leasehold issues, such as excessive service charges and ground rents.
Purchasing with a mortgage?
During the house buying process, your solicitor must also complete the legal work on behalf of your lender.
If your solicitor is not on your lender's panel, your purchase could take significantly longer to complete and incur the cost of an additional solicitor to act for the lender.
We work with solicitors who can represent the vast majority of banks and building societies, from larger lenders like Co-operative Bank to Principality Building Society, so your conveyancing will complete sooner.
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 Richmond Upon Thames with the conveyancing for:
When purchasing a property in a Richmond Upon Thames conservation area, your solicitor will need to check for potential planning breaches, which could include lack of conservation area consent for alterations or exterior paint restrictions. Conservation areas in Richmond Upon Thames and the London local authority include Bank, St Paul's Cathedral, Newgate Street, Lloyd's Avenue and Foster Lane.Buying in a conservation area
Around half a million listed buildings exist in England and Wales, and around 840 of which are in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Listed buildings and properties in and near to Richmond Upon Thames include: There are many additional things to consider when buying a listed building. Our specialist panel of property solicitors will offer guidance on the legal duties your ownership will impose. Examples include consent for any alterations that might change the character of the property, and a requirement to use original or historically appropriate materials. Read more:Listed buildings
Shared ownership conveyancing is the service you will need, when you buy a share in a property from a registered provider of social housing. Shared ownership conveyancing is more involved. Contracts are more complex, as shared ownership properties are leasehold. Quittance's panel of solicitors has years of experience with shared ownership conveyancing (including staircasing).Shared Ownership
Buying a leasehold property
Buying a leasehold property in England or Wales requires a number of extra steps when compared to buying a freehold. The many potential complications awaiting an uninformed purchaser can include legally technical issues like sinking fund issues and unreasonable lease extension premiums.
Your conveyancing solicitor will look into all potential issues with the lease and report back to you.
Read more:
What you need to know about buying a leasehold property
Should I be wary of buying a leasehold house?
Should I buy a property with a short lease?
Selling a house or flat in Richmond Upon Thames
When selling homes in Richmond Upon Thames, the solicitor will prepare the necessary documentation, including the sale contract and ID forms, and will help you answer these forms. The role of a conveyancer acting for the seller includes responding to the buyer's solicitor's questions and overcoming hurdles such as an absent freeholder.
The solicitor will also communicate effectively with all parties, like estate agents and banks or building societies, ensuring that the sale completes without delay.
Does sale conveyancing take longer for leasehold?
Yes, that's correct, it can take much more time to carry out the legal work to sell leasehold houses or flats when compared to conveyancing on a freehold house.
The solicitor acting for the buyer will need to review several leasehold-related documents. These could include an up-to-date statement of service charges and a copy of buildings insurance for the common parts of the property. Delays are usually the result of the time needed by the seller's conveyancer to source this information.
Your solicitor should get this underway even before a sale has been agreed, because this paperwork can take weeks to collect if it is difficult to contact the managing agent or landlord.
Read more:
Selling a leasehold flat? What to do before going on the market
Conveyancing for selling a property
Remortgage conveyancing in Richmond Upon Thames
Latest Bank of England base rate now at 5.25% (7 December, 2024)
Before you appoint a solicitor, check your conveyancer is on your chosen lender's panel.
We work with solicitors who are members of all major lenders' panels, so whether you are changing to a 5-year fixed rate with the Co-operative Bank or taking out a guarantor mortgage from Bradford and Bingley, we can help your remortgage complete quickly.
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Check our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
Get a remortgage conveyancing quote
Transferring Equity in Richmond Upon Thames
Whether you are transferring the ownership of your property to a child, estate planning or buying out an ex-partner, you'll need to carry out a transfer of equity. Your conveyancer can handle the legal work for a fixed fee.
Read more:
Transfer of equity Stamp Duty calculator
Get a transfer of equity conveyancing quote
How much does conveyancing cost in Richmond Upon Thames?
Solicitors' fees
These fees are what your solicitor charges you for the work they carry out on your behalf. Your solicitor's quote will detail the fees for the legal work, including VAT, that you pay when the property transaction is complete.
Disbursements
Your quote should also list any disbursements, which are costs paid to third parties on your behalf, including Stamp Duty, property searches and leasehold management information.
Check what's included in your conveyancing quote
When you compare conveyancing quotes, beware of hidden fees or extra charges. Some firms may include additional charges in their terms and conditions. This can mean a higher final bill.