Conveyancing in Westminster
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of property from one person to another, including the preparation and execution of the legal documents, and the registration of the new ownership. If you need a solicitor for conveyancing in Westminster, we can help you with fast & proactive conveyancing from a national panel of conveyancing specialists.
We have helped clients in Westminster and throughout City of Westminster 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: Barnet, Croydon, Edmonton, South West London and London
Buying property in Westminster
Probably the best-known area of the capital, the City of Westminster is an Inner London borough covering much of central London north of the Thames. Between the iconic buildings are quiet residential streets, where average house prices are the highest in the UK at over £2m and population density is high. However, within this, the most vibrant place to live in the world, are many large parks and open spaces.
Many global companies are headquartered in the district, with a large number of financial companies clustered in Mayfair.
Proximity to the theatre and culture also makes the borough attractive to performing arts businesses and creative and media companies.
Council Tax in Westminster (2023/24)
Band | Amount |
---|---|
A | £609.19 |
B | £710.72 |
C | £812.25 |
D | £913.78 |
E | £1,116.84 |
F | £1,319.90 |
G | £1,522.97 |
H | £1,827.56 |
What does a conveyancing solicitor do?
A property lawyer assists you with the legal aspect of a home purchase. They will raise enquires of the seller, order searches, review the lease (if applicable) and fulfil post-completion formalities, like paying SDLT.
Westminster conveyancing solicitors may also undertake checks for issues related to flats, such as spiralling ground rents.
Buying with a mortgage?
During the house buying process, your solicitor also has to take care of legal matters for your mortgage lender. If your conveyancing solicitor is not on your lender's panel, your purchase could take weeks longer and cost you more.
Over 100 mortgage lenders have approved our chosen panel lawyers, so we can help you complete your Westminster transaction smoothly.
Read more:
Conveyancing for buying a property
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
We have also helped Westminster home movers with the conveyancing for:
There exist around 500,000 listed buildings in England and Wales, 3,990 of which are in City of Westminster Council. Westminster listed buildings include: There are many additional things to consider when buying a listed building. Examples of the duties that listed building owners face include a duty to maintain the exterior appearance, consent for any alterations that might change the character of the property and a requirement to use original or historically appropriate materials. Our specialist panel of solicitors will advise you on the obligations imposed by listed property ownership. Read more:Listed buildings
Buying a shared ownership property means buying only a share in the property from housing associations that offer part-buy, part-rent schemes. While it is a great way to get on the property ladder, shared ownership conveyancing is more complex, as all properties are leasehold and mortgage lenders' apply stricter criteria. Our panel of solicitors has years of experience with shared ownership conveyancing and staircasing.Buying a Shared Ownership property
Buying a leasehold property
Purchasing a leasehold flat in the UK can be complex. The many potential traps awaiting an uninformed buyer can include legally technical issues like costly and undisclosed major works and unfair clauses in the lease.
A good property lawyer 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
Selling a house or flat in Westminster
When selling a house or flat in Westminster, your conveyancing solicitor will prepare the necessary documentation, including the title deeds and assorted property information forms, and will help you answer these forms.
The conveyancer's duties entail answering the buyer's solicitor's enquiries, resolving any potential issues and taking charge of the mortgage redemption.
To ensure a smooth transfer, the solicitor will also work with all parties, such as estate agents and banks or building societies.
Does a leasehold property take longer to sell?
Yes. The legal work for selling a leasehold property usually takes longer.
The buyer's solicitor will expect to see several leasehold-related documents, including a copy of the freehold property's buildings insurance. Delays are usually caused by the time it takes your solicitor to gather this paperwork.
The solicitor should start this process at the earliest opportunity, because this information could take several 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
Remortgaging a property in Westminster
The official base rate is 4.5% (18 February, 2025)
Check your chosen mortgage lender's legal panel includes your conveyancer before you instruct your solicitor.
Our partner panel solicitors can act for over 100 banks and building societies. Whether you are changing to an offset mortgage with Halifax or taking out a guarantor mortgage from Allied Irish Bank, we can help.
Read more:
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
Get a remortgage conveyancing quote
Transferring Equity
Whether you are dealing with inheritance tax planning, buying out a joint owner or transferring the ownership of your property to a child, a transfer of equity is required.
Your property lawyer will complete all the necessary paperwork for a low, fixed fee.
Read more:
Transfer of equity Stamp Duty calculator
Get a transfer of equity conveyancing quote
How much are conveyancing fees in Westminster?
On a conveyancing quote, the various costs or charges can be split into two types:
Legal fees
The quote will detail the fees for the legal work, including VAT, that you'll pay when your transaction completes. Conveyancing fees are paid to your conveyancing solicitor for the tasks they complete during your property transaction.
Disbursements (costs payable to third parties)
Your quote should also list any disbursements, which are costs paid to third parties on your behalf, including Stamp Duty and Land Registry fees.
Check what's included in your conveyancing quote
When you compare conveyancing quotes, beware of hidden charges not mentioned in the initial conveyancing quote. Some solicitors' quotes include additional fees in their terms and conditions, resulting in a final bill that is higher than the original quote.