Property is the largest asset many people own in their lifetime, and whilst the process may appear straightforward, the intricacies and scope for a property transaction to become a financial issue for clients are significant.
A Conveyancer or Property Solicitor is responsible for duties such as:
- Taking instructions in relation to a conveyance of land or property
- Instructing the preparation of Land Registry compliant plans if required
- Liaising with estate agents and mortgage providers
- Dealing with Help to Buy schemes
- Ascertaining that the funds for a transaction are available and where they have come from
- Drafting any required documentation in relation to purchasing funds such as if there is a gift element
- Drafting any additional documentation, such as declarations of trust or charge documents
- Obtaining the required information about the property through the Law Society required questionnaires such as TA6, TA10, TA13 and TA7
- Advising clients on the requirement for an up to date Energy Performance Certificate
- Making the required enquiries in relation to the land or property
- Obtaining and reviewing any relevant leases and information on ground rents and service charges
- Reviewing documentation in relation to the land and property to identify any required permissions or potential issues
- Carrying out Land Registry searches to check the title register and ascertain legal ownership of the land or property
- Carrying out Local authority searches to obtain information about factors such as environmental issues, proximity to locations of interest and development plans that may affect the property
- Carrying out a drainage search to check whether the property is connected to mains drainage and water supply
- Carrying out an environmental search to ascertain factors such as flood risk, ground stability and landfill sites in the local area.
- Carrying out a chancel repair liability search if your property is close to a church to ascertain whether there will be an obligation to contribute towards church repairs
- Carrying out additional searches depending on issues relevant to the location of the land or property, such as tin mining in Cornwall
- Negotiating sale/purchase terms and conditions
- Drafting the contract in relation to the sale/purchase
- Ensuring a sellers legal title to the property is established
- Ensuring that legal ownership of the property passes in accordance with the terms of the transfer
- Transferring the proceeds
- Registering the property with the Land Registry
- Removing any charges on the property in connection with the sellers ownership so they do not impact the purchaser
- Payment of Stamp Duty or Land Transaction Tax, depending on the value of the property, whether the client owns any other property and the location of the property that is being purchased
Our property solicitors have a wealth of experience and knowledge to guide clients through the range of conveyancing transactions and offer pragmatic advice, an efficient service with sensibly managed expectations throughout.