Residential Property Solicitors and Conveyancers.
A seamless property journey.
Expert knowledge and expertise in every aspect of property law.
Since 2019, our dedicated residential property team has supported thousands of clients with their home purchases and sales. Whether you are buying your first property, selling, or finding your dream home, our team is here for you at every stage.
Contact our team of conveyancers, based across the North of England, to learn how we can assist you. Our team is available to assist you, regardless of your location within the country. To get in touch, please complete our online enquiry form or by calling one of our offices.
How Holden Smith Can Help You.
Our conveyancing team provides clear, tailored advice on a full range of residential property transactions, including:
New Build Conveyancing
Residential Property Conveyancing
Purchasing repossessed property
Buying property at an auction
Shared Ownership staircasing
Change of ownership
Transfer of equity
Remortgages
The Building Safety Act
Freehold with management companies
What is conveyancing and what does a conveyancer do?
Conveyancing is the preparation of documents to enable the transfer of a property from one person to another. Conveyancers help prepare the documents to support the purchase or sale and ensure that everything is correct.
Buying a house is a significant financial investment. Knowing what you are buying and ensuring you truly own it according to the law is important. Our expert residential conveyancing team will work with you to ensure this is the case.
Our team will work in the background to help you complete your property purchase. This includes working with the seller’s lawyer to get a draft contract.
It also involves conducting property searches to identify any potential hidden risks. We will prepare a report for you to review. Finally, we will exchange and complete the purchase of your new property.
What are the key stages of the conveyancing process?
Conveyancing can sometimes be lengthy, as the size of the chain or the number of parties involved can cause delays. However, the process usually includes six key steps, each with its specific tasks:
Instruction and initial paperwork
Reviewing contracts, legal documents and raising enquiries
Conducting property searches and reviewing the mortgage offer
Exchange of contracts
Completion
Post-completion
Why Choose Holden Smith?
Moving home can be a stressful experience. Our team has helped thousands of people move properties, keeping them informed throughout the process to make it as smooth as possible.
Our investment in technology enables you to receive real-time updates on your move, no matter what time of day it is. You can send us your documents online. This means you do not have to travel to our offices.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Do I need a solicitor to move house?
Although it is not illegal in the UK to buy or sell your home without the use of a conveyancer or solicitor, it is recommended that you appoint a qualified professional.
Solicitors and conveyancing professionals understand the steps needed to ensure a smooth move. They will also work to meet the requirements set by your mortgage lender.
Solicitors and licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Being regulated means that they are obliged to ensure that the work they undertake is in the best interest of those they are working for.
How long does conveyancing take?
On average, conveyancing can take between three and six months. However, some elements can delay the process, including the complexity of the transaction, the size of the chain and the results from the property searches.
How much does conveyancing cost?
Several factors can determine the cost of your conveyancing. This includes the location and age of the property, as well as whether it is freehold, leasehold, or if management companies are involved. If you are purchasing a flat, there may also need to be further checks to ensure that it is protected by the Building Safety Act 2022.
Which parts of the country can you help me with?
As a law firm based in England, we can help with any property matters within England and Wales. We cannot help with buying and selling in Scotland and Northern Ireland. This is because their legal systems are different. If you are considering properties in these areas, our team can recommend expert firms to assist you.
Newbuild Property Conveyancing
Our specialist newbuild property conveyancing team will ensure your newbuild property purchase goes without a hitch.
From advice around the New Home Warranty and planning permissions, to rights of way and exchange of contracts deadlines, our experience working with housing developers and builders means you don’t need to worry about a thing.
Why use a specialist newbuild conveyancer?
Buying a newbuild property can sometimes bring with it additional risk. This might include issues such as non-compliance with planning regulations, homes not being built in accordance with the original plans, or developers not completing agreements for roads and sewers.
This shouldn’t put you off, but it means you should instruct a conveyancer that is experienced in dealing specifically with new build properties. Doing so will make sure that any of the issues above are identified and dealt with, and also ensure that the contract is in your favour, that your deposit is protected, and that you have a long-stop completion date in place (the date by when the developer must agree to have finished the build and is ready to hand over the keys to the buyer).
Here's some more helpful information on why you should use a specialist newbuild conveyancer >
How do I choose a conveyancer?
Buying a property is a landmark moment and choosing the right residential conveyancer to work with you is crucial. Watch our video on our top tips for choosing a residential conveyancer.
Watch: Top three traits to look for in a conveyancer
For information on our Residential Property Services process and fees, click here.
Get in touch.
Contact our solicitors and conveyancers to discover how we can assist you, regardless of the task's size or complexity. Our team is ready to help. You can reach us by calling one of our offices or by completing our online enquiry form.
Get an instant conveyancing quote now.