Conveyancing in St Albans
Conveyancing involves the legal work and documentation required to transfer a property from the seller to the buyer. If you're looking for a conveyancing solicitor in St Albans, you're in the right place. Get a fast & proactive solicitor from a nationwide panel of conveyancing experts.
We have helped St Albans and St Albans & 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.
Buying property in St Albans
A historic city in Hertfordshire, St Albans is known for its Roman history, medieval architecture, and beautiful green spaces. The stunning St Albans Cathedral dominates the city's skyline, while Verulamium Park and Museum allow a glimpse into the city's Roman past.
The city has excellent transport links, with trains to London taking around 20 minutes, and easy access to the M25 and M1. St Albans combines the benefits of city living with a strong sense of community, and has a population of approximately 82,000.
Council Tax in St Albans (2023/24)
Band | Amount |
---|---|
A | £1,395.99 |
B | £1,628.66 |
C | £1,861.32 |
D | £2,093.99 |
E | £2,559.32 |
F | £3,024.65 |
G | £3,489.98 |
H | £4,187.98 |
What do St Albans conveyancing solicitors do?
A conveyancer helps you with the legal aspect of a home purchase.
The solicitor will order property searches, raise questions for the seller's solicitor, review the lease (if applicable) and take care of tasks after the sale, like HMLR registration and paying Stamp Duty Land Tax.
In addition to standard searches, St Albans conveyancing solicitors would also undertake searches for contamination due to the area's industrial past.
Are you taking out a mortgage?
When you buy a property with a mortgage, the mortgage lender must check the property meets their criteria for lending.
If your conveyancer isn't accepted on your bank's panel, it could take weeks longer to complete your purchase.We work with lawyers who can represent the vast majority of building societies, banks and lenders, ensuring your transaction will complete 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 buyers in St Albans with the legal work for:
There exist around 500,000 listed properties in England and Wales - around 860 of which are in St Albans City & District Council. Listed buildings in and near to St Albans include: Owning a listed building can be a challenge for the unwary. Examples of the duties faced by listed property owners include required consent for landscaping, and a requirement to use original or historically appropriate materials. Our specialist panel of solicitors will offer guidance on the legal duties your ownership will impose. Read more:Listed buildings
Buying a leasehold property
Purchasing a leasehold flat in the UK can be complex. The many potential problems awaiting an uninformed purchaser can include legally technical issues like undisclosed major works and unfair clauses in the lease.
An experienced leasehold conveyancer 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 property in St Albans
For the sale of a St Albans home, your solicitor will prepare the necessary documentation, including the various property information forms and the title deeds.
Their duties entail responding to enquiries from the buyer's solicitor, dealing with complications like a boundary dispute and taking charge of the mortgage redemption. Your lawyer will coordinate with all parties, like agents, managing agents and lenders, to help ensure the transfer of ownership completes as soon as possible.Does the conveyancing for selling leasehold take longer?
Conveyancing for selling a property
Remortgaging a property in St Albans
The Bank of England's current base rate is 5.25% (7 December, 2024)
Before you instruct, you should check your lawyer's lender panel status.
We work with solicitors who can work with 99% of all building societies and banks, so whether you are changing to a 5-year fixed rate with Lloyds Bank or taking out a home reversion mortgage from Holmesdale Building Society, our panel solicitors will make the process as simple and stress-free as possible.
Read more:
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your lender
Get a remortgage conveyancing quote
Transfer of equity
If you are looking to reduce or increase your ownership share of your property, whether you are transferring the ownership of your home to your daughter, son or other family member, inheritance tax planning or buying out another part-owner, a transfer of equity is required. 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 do conveyancing solicitors fees cost in St Albans?
What is and is not included in a quote isn't always clear at first glance.
Legal fees
These fees are what your conveyancing solicitor charges you for the legal services they provide. The quote should clearly detail the legal fees, including VAT, to be paid when the conveyancing transaction completes.
Disbursements
Disbursements are fees that your conveyancing solicitor will have to pay on your behalf for third-party services. Third-party disbursements include Stamp Duty, property searches and a pre-completion search.
Check for hidden costs
Watch out for additional charges, when you compare conveyancing quotes. Some firms may set out extra costs in their terms and conditions, resulting in a higher final bill.