If you're involved in buying, selling, or remortgaging a home in Gillingham, it's essential to seek the guidance of experienced conveyancing solicitors to ensure a smooth process.
While the prospect of a property transaction may be exciting, it also comes with potential risks. Our conveyancing team has the expertise to identify and mitigate these risks, guiding you through the process with care.
At Bird & Co, we offer a dependable and accessible conveyancing service in Gillingham. Our solicitors will support you from beginning to end, addressing any questions or concerns you may have along the way.
We also provide a fast and efficient online conveyancing option, allowing us to assist clients across Gillingham and the broader Dorset area, including Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton, and Blandford Forum.
To get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team covering Gillingham, give us a call or you can get a quote online.
Why choose Bird & Co for your conveyancing in Gillingham?
- Specialist online conveyancing service - providing access to our expertise from anywhere in the UK or internationally.
- Accreditation under the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) by the Law Society - ensuring confidence in the high-quality service we deliver.
- Modern, straightforward, and efficient service - simplifying your conveyancing process for easier management and reduced stress.
- Secure online systems - ensuring the safety of your funds and data at every stage of the transaction.
- Direct communication with the solicitor handling your case - facilitating quick responses to any queries from a professional familiar with you and your transaction.
- Competitive fees with transparent quoting - enabling you to estimate your conveyancing costs upfront through a no-obligation online quote.
How our conveyancing solicitors can help people in Gillingham
Our conveyancing team for Gillingham have expertise in a wide range of property transactions, including:
- Buying and selling your home
- Advice for first time buyers, such as:
- Remortgaging
- Equity release
- Advice about buying as joint tenants or tenants in common
- Buying and selling listed property
- Buying and selling leasehold property
- Collective enfranchisement and buying the freehold of a house
- Lease extension
- Transfer of equity
- Gifting property and Deeds of Gift
- Buy to let conveyancing
- Buying and selling land
- Commercial conveyancing
- Stamp Duty advice
Benefits of working with our online conveyancers instead of a local conveyancer in Gillingham
- Extensive national expertise with years of experience handling diverse transactions - providing a broader scope of knowledge compared to many local conveyancers, even for complex transactions.
- Well-established online systems for seamless conveyancing experiences - our proven systems allow us to bypass many of the delays and frustrations often encountered by clients dealing with firms less accustomed to online operations.
- Swift, cost-effective service - leveraging our extensive experience, we've optimised our processes and expenses, passing on the savings to our clients.
- Accessible expertise across the UK and internationally - our online-first approach positions us as a preferred choice for clients nationwide and worldwide dealing with property matters in England and Wales.
- Ensured safe and secure conveyancing throughout - employing the latest security measures to safeguard you, your finances, and your information. Additionally, we are fully insured for added peace of mind.
Our conveyancing fees – how much does our conveyancing cost for Gillingham property?
We provide a variety of flexible fees for our conveyancing services in Gillingham. This includes fixed fees for straightforward tasks, offering you a transparent understanding of your initial costs. Should additional fees be necessary to finalise your transaction, your solicitor will inform you promptly.
Other expenses associated with the conveyancing process, known as disbursements, may include property registration with HM Land Registry and conveyancing searches.
Your property transaction may also be subject to taxes such as Stamp Duty Land Tax or Capital Gains Tax. In such cases, your solicitor will assist you in calculating the owed amount and filing the return with HMRC.
Conveyancing FAQs
How does the conveyancing process work in Gillingham?
There are three main stages to the conveyancing process. These are:
- Offer and acceptance
- Exchange of contracts
- Completion
When an offer is accepted, the buyer and seller will agree to enter into a contract. Until the contract is signed and exchanged by both parties, nothing is legally binding.
The buyer will carry out various checks on the property with their solicitor. The sort of checks that might be carried out include:
- Reviewing property information provided by the seller and making further enquiries if necessary (done by the conveyancing solicitor).
- Conducting conveyancing property searches, such as local authority checks (arranged by the conveyancing solicitor).
- Carrying out an independent survey (arranged by the buyer).
The buyer will also apply for a mortgage at this stage, if necessary.
Once the property checks are finalised and both parties agree to move forward, they will sign and exchange contracts. This marks the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding, and neither party can withdraw without incurring a financial penalty.
Completion signifies the official conclusion of the transaction. At this stage, a transfer deed is submitted to HM Land Registry, and the seller vacates the property.
How long does conveyancing take in Gillingham?
Each conveyancing transaction presents its own set of challenges, making it difficult to predict precisely how long it will take to reach completion. However, typically, straightforward conveyancing work spans approximately 12-14 weeks from the acceptance of an offer to the instruction of solicitors.
Occasionally, delays may be inevitable. In such cases, your solicitor will provide regular updates to keep you informed if your conveyancing transaction is expected to take longer than usual to finalise.
What searches are involved in conveyancing in Gillingham?
If you are buying a property in Gillingham, your conveyancer will need to carry out a number of checks to ensure there are no issues that need to be addressed.
The three main types of conveyancing searches are:
- Local authority checks – to check the surrounding area for planning and building regulation consents, as well as proposed road schemes and any other planned or proposed work in the area that might affect the occupier of the property.
- Environmental searches – to check for issues such as flooding or land contamination.
- Water and drainage searches – to check matters such as water and drainage access.
If further checks are required, then your solicitor will let you know.
Is it better to use a conveyancing solicitor or a conveyancer for Gillingham property?
For most property buyers or sellers, the difference between a conveyancing solicitor and a licensed conveyancer might not be immediately apparent. Both represent distinct qualifications individuals can possess to handle property transactions. Neither option is inherently superior to the other, but there are advantages to engaging with a solicitor firm.
Solicitor firms typically have expertise across various areas beyond property transactions. This broader knowledge can be invaluable to individuals involved in property transactions, including matters such as wills, inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution. Collaborating with solicitors can offer assurance that the necessary expertise is readily available, regardless of the issue requiring support.
What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Gillingham?
While Gillingham is a popular place to live offering many advantages to buyers, there are some key local issues to consider when buying in the area. These include:
- Flood Risk: Parts of Gillingham, particularly those near the River Medway, may be prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. Prospective buyers should assess the flood risk of the property and consider obtaining flood risk reports.
- Historic Building Concerns: Gillingham has a rich history, with many older properties boasting period features. However, older buildings may come with maintenance challenges such as damp, structural issues, or the presence of hazardous materials like asbestos. Thorough surveys are essential to identify any potential issues.
- Transport Links: While Gillingham benefits from excellent transport links, including train services to London and nearby towns, congestion can be a concern. Buyers should consider the proximity of major roads and railways when assessing properties to avoid noise and traffic issues.
- Leasehold Properties: Some properties in Gillingham may be leasehold rather than freehold. Buyers should carefully review the terms of the lease, including ground rent and service charges, to understand their obligations and rights as leaseholders.
- Regeneration Projects: Gillingham has seen significant regeneration efforts in recent years, with ongoing development projects aimed at revitalising the town centre and surrounding areas. Buyers should research local regeneration plans to understand how they may impact property values and the overall living environment.
- Local Amenities: While Gillingham offers a range of amenities, including schools, shops, and recreational facilities, the availability and quality of these amenities can vary between neighbourhoods. Prospective buyers should assess the proximity of essential amenities and services to their desired property.
- Property Prices: Like many areas in the southeast of England, property prices in Gillingham can be relatively high compared to national averages. Buyers should carefully consider their budget and explore property options within their price range.
What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Gillingham?
Residential conveyancing requires a number of documents during the process, but this often depends on whether you are buying or selling a property.
During the process of purchasing a property in Gillingham, the documents you will be required to provide include:
- Identification (e.g. passport or driving licence)
- Proof of address
- Proof of funds (such as bank statements)
- The official offer of mortgage
The documents required when selling a property include:
- Proof of ownership
- Seller’s Property Information Form
- Certificates, guarantees and planning permission documentation
- Fitting and contents form
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Leasehold or freehold information
- Details of the mortgage
How do you instruct our conveyancing solicitors for Gillingham?
To get in touch with one of our conveyancers covering Gillingham, you can give us a call or fill in our online enquiry form to request a call back.
Our conveyancing team in Gillingham will guide you through the initial stages of your transaction. Once your file is open, your conveyancer will handle all the legal aspects related to your transaction.
Whether you're relocating to, from, or within Gillingham, our conveyancing solicitors are here to offer their expertise.
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors for Gillingham
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors covering Gillingham by giving us a call or you can get a quote online.