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Understanding the costs
When you move home, it can be confusing to talk of ‘legal costs’. Below we separate out some of the common costs to help you understand better what’s involved. There are two main types of cost – legal costs payable to your lawyer and costs payable to others (called ‘disbursements’) that your lawyer will handle on your behalf.
Legal costs
Your true legal costs are the costs payable to your lawyer for their work on your behalf. These are usually based on the value of the property involved and you should be able to be told this cost before you decide which law firm to use. Be careful of conveyancing services that promote a low initial cost but add in lots of hidden extras in their small print in order to bump the final cost up.
Searches
These are charges for checks about the property and the surrounding land. In each case there is a fee payable to the company providing the search which your lawyer usually pays on your behalf and then reclaims in their bill to you. An examples of a search is a local authority search (a search which looks to see if there are plans which might affect your property eg building a new road or a new housing development close by). Other common searches include a water authority and drainage search (which looks at details about the mains water supply and sewage removal) and an environmental search (which looks at past uses of the land the property is on to check for risk of contamination). Part of the skill of your conveyancing lawyer will be to advise which searches you are best to pay to be done.
Stamp duty
This is a tax payable to HMRC on any house purchase. Because law firms often deal with this on your behalf it is sometimes included as part of the quote for conveyancing.
Other costs
There are other fees which you should be told about by your conveyancing lawyer, for example the land registry charge a fee to update their records of who owns a property (if you’re buying) or to produce a copy of their records to prove your own a property (if you’re selling). Another common cost is a charge that has to be paid for dealing with mortgage companies. Again – all these costs should be set-out and explained by your chosen lawyers upfront.
Moving house checklist
So, you've accepted an offer, found your new house, and you have a moving date. It's now time to start preparing for the move! Here are a few helpful suggestions to get you and your house in order before moving day. Let the countdown begin...
The mammoth guide to improving the value of your home
It's surprising how many homeowners have misconceptions about what actually improves the value of their home to a buyer.
If you're looking to sell your home, a little bit of research and self-analysis could bring you big rewards. Take a look at our guide and we hope that it highlights some considerations which you can make use of to maximise the value of your own home.
Buying at auction
Buying property at auction can be an exciting experience and is often a great way to get a good deal. However, it can also be a step into the unknown - particularly if it is your first time. By talking to a legal expert before buying at auction you can approach the process with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Investment and buy to let properties
More and more people are enjoying the rewards of investing in property. And buying-to-let is a great way to ensure that your property provides a regular income and strong return on your investment. The key to successful property investment is to do your homework and seek expert legal advice before investing in a property.
Planning law
If you are looking to make changes to your home, there are planning laws that say what you can, and cannot do. There are also certain processes to follow. QualitySolicitors Barwells take away many of the worries as we know you have enough on your plate.
Remortgaging
As a homeowner, at some point you may wish to consider remortgaging – either to take advantage of a better mortgage deal or to release money from your property. And with different mortgage providers offering different deals, you may wish to consider changing to a new lender.
Tenancy agreements and deposits
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, it makes good sense to have a solid tenancy agreement in place. Not only will this highlight your rights and responsibilities but it will also help maintain a positive relationship between you and your landlord or tenant.
Transfer of title
Are you looking to transfer the ownership of a property from one person to another? Although this is a fairly straightforward process, it is important that it is completed correctly to ensure everything progresses smoothly and to avoid unexpected problems in the future.
Understanding the costs
When you move home, it can be confusing to talk of ‘legal costs’. Below we separate out some of the common costs to help you understand better what’s involved. There are two main types of cost – legal costs payable to your lawyer and costs payable to others (called ‘disbursements’) that your lawyer will handle on your behalf.
Understanding the costs
At QualitySolicitors Barwells we understand that one of the most important things in anyone’s life is their home. And whether you own a property or rent, we know that your home means much more to you than just bricks and mortar.
Your local legal experts
Why QualitySolicitors?
With QualitySolicitors your first initial assessment is free, so you can call us without worrying about being charged for a call you might not have actually needed to make. And because we place our clients are at the heart of everything we do, we make these five customer service promises to make sure you'll feel properly looked after.
This is why, in the first instance, most people looking for legal help in relation to a 'Home And Property' call QualitySolicitors for a Free Initial Assessment over the phone before requesting our Ask the Legal Expert service; which is an introductory 45-minute face-to-face consultation for £99.
Have you ever wanted to just ask a lawyer if they can help you, without worrying about what it may cost to contact them? If so, call QualitySolicitors and together we can work out what your next steps might be... in confidence, at no cost and with no obligation. At QualitySolicitors, our Free Initial Assessment promise puts you directly in touch with a local law firm who will happily talk to you for free to clarify how they can help you.
Find out moreUsing a solicitor doesn’t have to involve any unexpected costs. We promise to confirm the full costs you can expect before we begin any work and keep you informed throughout. And we won’t start any work until we know you’re happy with our estimate.
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