Guide To Buying A Property

What we will do for you:

• We will confirm your formal instructions to buy the property;
• We will obtain the contract package from the seller’s solicitor;
• We will carry out searches, review the legal title, raise the appropriate enquiries and report to you;
• We will deal with your mortgage lender once the formal offer is received including obtaining the money advance;
• We will help you liaise with the seller and estate agent to agree a completion date;
• We will exchange contracts for you, complete the purchase in a timely and prompt manner;
• We will deal with all deposits and completion funds between you and the seller;
• We will submit the Stamp Duty Land Tax return to HMRC and deal with any payments due; and
• We will register the property in your name at the Land Registry. Once it is registered, we will send to you the title deeds and/or store any original documents in our strong room at no further charge to you.

What we will need you to do:

• Provide us with your completed formal instructions, identification and a percentage of fees on account;
• You will need to check the property you are buying against the information provided and advise us if there are any discrepancies;
• Arrange for a survey of the property and let us know if there are any issues;
• If required apply for a mortgage with your lender;
• Apply for buildings insurance together with life cover;
• Book your removals and make arrangements from exchange of contracts;
• Promptly return to us any documents which we ask you to sign;
• Provide us with a deposit or a balance required to complete (if required);
• Inform utility companies (gas, electric, water, phone), the Local Authority, Post Office etc… of change of address and take meter readings; and
• Collect your new keys from the Estate Agent on the day of completion by 2pm.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) holiday for residential property purchases up to £250,000 and nil rate threshold for first time buyers relief for property purchases up to £425,000 will end on 31 March 2025. From April, standard SDLT rates will apply to all residential purchases. We recommend that all clients, purchasing residential property in England and Wales, budget for paying SDLT in the event that a purchase does not complete on or before 31 March 2025. There are many reasons why transactions may be unable to complete before these dates and we cannot accept responsibility for any SDLT due in respect of your property purchase, where the purchase completes after these dates.

Advice on protecting yourself against online fraud

Online fraud is on the increase specifically in property transactions. To help keep yourself safe from this threat please view our advice on protecting yourself.

Guide To Buying A Property Lawyers

Pippa Woodcock

Associate - Team Leader Residential Property

Claire Burns

Solicitor

Claire Hogben BCom (Hons)

Associate

James Steward LLB

Associate