Conveyancing in Whitby
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 Whitby, you're in the right place. Get a fast & proactive solicitor from a nationwide panel of conveyancing experts.
We have helped clients in Whitby and throughout Scarborough 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: Guisborough, Middlesbrough, Scarborough and York
Buying property in Whitby
A charming seaside town in North Yorkshire, Whitby is famous for its beautiful harbour, the atmospheric Whitby Abbey and its connections to the legendary Count Dracula. The town offers a range of local shops, traditional pubs and seafood restaurants. Whitby is also known for its Jet jewellery and the famous Whitby Goth Weekend.
Transport links include Whitby train station, with services to Middlesbrough, and good bus connections to the surrounding areas. The town is ideal for those who appreciate a slower pace of life and the allure of the sea. Whitby's population is approximately 13,000.
Council Tax in Whitby (2023/24)
Whitby is in Scarborough Borough Council.
What will my solicitor do?
A conveyancer or solicitor helps you with the legal aspect of a home purchase.
They will order property searches, raise questions for the seller, review contracts and take care of tasks after the sale, including paying SDLT.
Whitby conveyancing solicitors may also carry out checks for national Park-related issues (Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors) and flood risk checks.
Are you buying with a mortgage?
Whether you are purchasing an investment property or buying a listed building, your solicitor must also complete legal work for the bank or building society that's giving you the mortgage. If your lawyer isn't accepted on your chosen mortgage provider's panel, it may take weeks longer to purchase your property.
We work with lawyers who can represent the vast majority of building societies, banks and lenders, ensuring your transaction will complete without delay.
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Conveyancing for buying a property
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
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We can help home buyers in Whitby with the legal work for:
When purchasing a house or flat in a Whitby conservation area, your lawyer will check for restrictive covenants, including a breach of the conservation area 'Article 4 Directions' or noise level restrictions. Conservation areas in Whitby and the Scarborough local authority include:Buying in a conservation area
Around 500,000 listed buildings exist across the country - around 2,450 of which are in Scarborough Borough Council. Listed buildings and properties in and near to Whitby include: Owning a listed building can be a challenge for the unwary. Examples of the duties that listed building owners face include use of traditional methods and materials for maintenance, required consent for landscaping and a duty to report finds or discoveries on the property. Our expert conveyancing solicitor panel will explain to you the legal duties your ownership will impose. Read more:Listed buildings
New Build
The conveyancing process for acquiring a new build home in Whitby is more complicated than buying an existing property.
A good solicitor in Whitby must be able to deal with things like dealing with lender conditions, handling withdrawal under the Consumer Code for Housebuilders and checking new build warranties with warranty providers such as NHBC Buildmark, Advantage and Trenwick International.
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4.8 out of 5
When we factored in eveything that was included - this was the best quote we could find
Selling a house or flat in Whitby
When selling homes in Whitby, your lawyer will prepare vital paperwork, including ID forms and the draft contract.
They will advise on enquiries sent by the buyer's conveyancer, sort out potential snags and handle the mortgage redemption. Your solicitor will coordinate with all stakeholders, including estate agents and banks or building societies, to help ensure the property sale completes without delay.
Does it take longer to sell a leasehold property?
Yes, that's correct, it can take much more time to conduct the conveyancing to sell a leasehold property, compared to freehold conveyancing.
The buyer's solicitor will want to see several leasehold-related documents. These could include an up-to-date statement of service charges and a copy of the freehold property's buildings insurance. Delays are usually caused by the time required by the seller's conveyancer to source this information.
The solicitor should commence this before a buyer has even been found, because the managing agent's information can take a long time to gather if it is difficult to contact the managing agent or they are slow to respond.
Read more:
Selling a leasehold flat? What to do before going on the market
Conveyancing for selling a property
Remortgage conveyancing in Whitby
Latest Bank of England base rate now at 4.5% (14 June, 2025)
It's a good idea to check your lawyer's lender panel status before you instruct your solicitor.
Quittance panel solicitors can work with 99% of all lenders. Whether you are switching to a discount mortgage from Santander or taking out a 3-year tracker rate from Coventry Building Society, 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
Transfer of equity in Whitby
If you plan to change the ownership structure of your home, whether you are inheritance tax (IHT) planning, buying out the equity of a joint owner or gifting a share of a property, you will need to transfer equity. Your legal representative will complete the process for a guaranteed fixed fee.
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Transfer of equity Stamp Duty calculator
Get a transfer of equity conveyancing quote
How much are solicitors' conveyancing fees in Whitby?
Getting a quote is simple - but knowing what the quote does and does not include can be tricky.
Legal fees
Your solicitor's quote will detail the fees for the legal work, including VAT, to be paid when the conveyancing transaction completes. Conveyancing fees are paid to your conveyancer for the legal services they provide for you.
Disbursements
Disbursements are the payments incurred by your conveyancer during the conveyancing process. Third-party disbursements include Stamp Duty, property searches and a British waterways search.
Read the terms and conditions
If you are comparing conveyancing quotes, beware of hidden charges not mentioned in the initial conveyancing quote. Some solicitors' quotes include additional fees in their terms and conditions. This can lead to a higher-than-expected final bill.
