Conveyancing in Whitstable
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 need a solicitor for conveyancing in Whitstable, we can help you with fast & proactive conveyancing from a national panel of conveyancing specialists.
We have helped clients in Whitstable and throughout Canterbury 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 Whitstable
Known for its oysters, this seaside town in North Kent offers a blend of beach life and cultural charm. Whitstable boasts a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants, along with a bustling harbour and beautiful pebble beaches. The annual Oyster Festival is a significant event in the town's social calendar.
Whitstable railway station provides services to London, making it a good option for commuters. This vibrant coastal town offers a unique living experience, combining tradition and modernity. The population of Whitstable is approximately 32,000.
Council Tax in Whitstable (2023/24)
Whitstable is in Canterbury City Council.
Band | Amount |
---|---|
A | £1,409.77 |
B | £1,644.73 |
C | £1,879.69 |
D | £2,114.65 |
E | £2,584.57 |
F | £3,054.49 |
G | £3,524.42 |
H | £4,229.30 |
What do Whitstable conveyancing solicitors do?
A conveyancer or solicitor helps the buyer with the legal side of the transaction. This means performing due diligence on the property purchase, like raising enquires of the seller, applying for searches from local authorities (e.g. Canterbury Council) and reviewing contracts of sale.
In addition to standard searches, Whitstable conveyancing solicitors may also undertake chalk mining searches.
Purchasing a home with a mortgage?
Whether you are buying a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) or buying at auction, your solicitor must also complete legal work for the bank or building society that's giving you the mortgage. Your transaction could take significantly longer to complete and cost more if your conveyancer is not on your chosen mortgage provider's panel.
We work with conveyancers who can represent the vast majority of banks and building societies, such as major banks like Santander, to smaller lenders like Cambridge Building Society and Aldermore Bank - helping to ensure your transaction completes faster.
Read more:
Conveyancing for buying a property
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your mortgage lender
We can also assist buyers in Whitstable with the conveyancing for:
When buying a home in a conservation area, your conveyancer will need to check for planning approval issues, including new boundaries, fences and railings or maintenance obligations. Conservation areas in Whitstable and the Canterbury local authority include:Buying in a conservation area
Buying a leasehold property
Purchasing a leasehold house or flat in the UK requires a number of extra steps when compared to buying a freehold. The many potential complications awaiting an uninformed buyer can include legally technical issues like and unreasonable lease extension premiums.
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
Should I be wary of buying a leasehold house?
Should I buy a property with a short lease?
Selling property in Whitstable
For the sale of a house or flat in Whitstable, your lawyer will prepare the necessary documentation, including the TA6 and TA10 property information forms and the sale contract.
Duties include resolving issues like lack of conservation area consent, answering enquiries from the buyer's solicitor and redeeming the mortgage.The solicitor will also communicate effectively with all parties, like agents, lenders and landlords, so the sale completes without delay.
I am selling a leasehold property in Whitstable - what do I need to know?
Conveyancing for a leasehold flat (leasehold houses are not common) is significantly more time-consuming in comparison with a freehold house.
The complexities of leasehold mean conveyancing solicitors in Whitstable must undertake extra work, for example sourcing an up-to-date service charge statement, through to a copy of the lease.
To reduce leasehold-related delays, It is highly recommended that you instruct a Whitstable conveyancing solicitor as soon as the property is marketed, if not before.
Conveyancing for selling a property
Remortgage conveyancing
The current Bank of England base rate is 4.5% (18 February, 2025)
Before appointing a solicitor, your solicitor needs to be able to act on your chosen mortgage lender's behalf.
Quittance panel solicitors are on the legal panels of over 100 building societies and banks. Whether you are changing to a discount mortgage with National Westminster Bank or taking out a 3-year tracker rate from Holmesdale Building Society, our panel solicitors can guide you through the remortgage process.
Read more:
Find out if our panel solicitors can act for your lender
Get a remortgage conveyancing quote
Transfer of equity in Whitstable
Whether you are transferring the ownership of your home to your daughter, son or other family member, estate planning or resolving joint ownership, you'll need to carry out a transfer of equity. Your legal representative will complete all the necessary paperwork for a fixed fee.
Read more:
Transfer of equity Stamp Duty calculator
Get a transfer of equity conveyancing quote
How much should I budget for conveyancing in Whitstable?
When comparing solicitors' fees, conveyancing quotes may include several unfamiliar terms and concepts:
Conveyancing legal fees
Your conveyancing solicitor's quote should clearly detail the legal fees, including VAT, that you'll pay when your transaction completes. These fees are what your solicitor charges you for the legal services they provide during your property transaction.
Disbursements (costs payable to third parties)
Disbursements are third-party costs paid by your solicitor on your behalf. Examples of disbursements include Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), HM Land Registry fees and property searches.
Check for hidden costs
Some firms include extra costs in their terms and conditions. This can mean a higher-than-expected final bill. When comparing quotes, beware of extra fees.