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Conveyancing Solicitors in Leeds
If you are buying, selling or remortgaging a home in Leeds, it pays to have the support of expert conveyancers with a wealth of combined experience.
At Bird & Co, we recognise the significance of property transactions. They signal a new chapter in people’s lives and, while they are undoubtedly exciting, they also come with potential pitfalls that could disrupt the whole process.
We provide a friendly, reliable conveyancing service for individuals and families in Leeds. No matter what your individual circumstances are, we will be able to provide straightforward advice that is specifically tailored to your needs, guiding you through the conveyancing process from start to finish.
We also specialise in online conveyancing. This means we can support clients from across Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire area, including Moorside, Headingley and Bramhope.
To get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team in Leeds, give us a call and a member of our team will be in touch with you very shortly, or get an online conveyancing quote.
Why choose Bird & Co for your conveyancing in Leeds?
We provide a specialist online conveyancing service. This means that we can complete the entire conveyancing process remotely, without having to meet in person.
We have created a modern, friendly conveyancing service that is designed to make the conveyancing process as simple and stress-free as possible, helping you to complete your property transaction with minimal fuss.
You will be able to contact our team whenever you need to and you will also be provided with a direct email address for the solicitor who is handling your case. This means that the conveyancing process will be made transparent and you will be the first to know if there are any updates to your case.
We are accredited with the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme. This means that we will:
- Provide high-quality legal advice
- Get your conveyancing transaction completed as efficiently as possible
- Provide top-quality customer service and respond to queries quickly
- Keep you regularly updated and never leave you in the dark about the status of your transaction
- Be upfront and honest about your fees – we will provide you with an accurate quote before you instruct us so that you can decide whether we are right for you
We are also Lexcel accredited by the Law Society. This demonstrates our commitment to delivering the highest levels of customer service and practice management.
How our conveyancing solicitors can help people in Leeds
Our team of expert conveyancing solicitors in Leeds have supported our clients on a wide range of conveyancing matters. Our expertise includes:
- 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
We are on the panel for most major lenders. We will be able to support you whether you are using a national firm or a local building society.
Benefits of working with our online conveyancers instead of a local conveyancer in Leeds
There are several advantages to instructing our online conveyancers in Leeds. These include:
- We have in-depth knowledge of the national property market, as well as a detailed understanding of the local Leeds market. Other firms may only have expertise in their own local markets.
- Our online systems have been developed with sensitive communications in mind. We make sure that our customers are fully protected when carrying out digital transactions by carrying out procedures such as encrypting emails, securely configuring our devices and putting malware protection in place.
- We can get your conveyancing done quickly and efficiently. There are fewer delays to worry about when you work with our online conveyancers as the process can be completed remotely.
- Online conveyancing tends to be more cost-effective. Traditional conveyancing work incurs extra costs which aren’t present when you work with our online conveyancers.
- We have dealt with property transactions around the country, even for clients who are on the other side of the world. We also use video conferencing to talk to clients who are currently outside the UK.
- Our legal obligations to you remain the same as if we were meeting in person as there are no differences to the general conveyancing process. We are fully insured just in case.
Our conveyancing fees – how much does our conveyancing cost for Leeds property?
For straightforward conveyancing work, we are able to offer fixed fees. This means you will have a clear idea of how much your work is going to cost from the outset. There may be certain situations where additional fees are required to complete your transaction but, if this is the case, you will be informed by your Leeds conveyancing solicitors.
There are other costs involved in the conveyancing process called disbursements. Examples of disbursements could include conveyancing searches or registering your transaction at HM Land Registry.
You may also need to consider how your transaction will be affected by tax such as Stamp Duty Land Tax or Capital Gains Tax. If this is the case, your solicitor will help to calculate how much tax is owed and file the return with HMRC.
Conveyancing FAQs
How does the conveyancing process work in Leeds?
There are three stages to the conveyancing process that you should be aware of:
- Offer and acceptance
- Exchange of contracts
- Completion
When an offer is accepted on a home, the buyer and seller will agree to enter into a contract. However, as nothing has been signed, the transaction is not legally binding and can still collapse if either party elects to pull out.
The buyer will then work alongside their conveyancing solicitor to carry out checks which are referred to as conveyancing searches. Examples of conveyancing searches 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 (done by the conveyancing solicitor)
- Carrying out an independent survey (done by the buyer)
The buyer will also apply for a mortgage at this stage (if needed).
Once the conveyancing searches have been completed and both parties are happy to proceed, they will exchange contracts. At this point, there is no turning back for either party. If someone pulls out, they will receive a financial penalty (unless they have a good reason for doing so).
Completion is when the transaction becomes official. A transfer deed will be submitted to HM Land Registry and the seller will have to vacate the property.
How long does conveyancing take in Leeds?
The time it takes to complete a conveyancing transaction will depend on a number of factors. However, if everything goes ahead without complications, you can expect a transaction to take around 12-14 weeks to reach completion. This is from the date that an offer is accepted, and conveyancing solicitors are instructed.
Delays further along the property chain are sometimes unavoidable and can affect the time it takes to complete your transaction. If this is likely to be the case, your solicitor will keep you informed.
What searches are involved in residential conveyancing in Leeds?
Your conveyancer will carry out a number of checks when you are buying a home. These are done to make sure that there are no immediate issues that need to be addressed.
The three main types of conveyancing searches are:
- Local authority checks – to check the surrounding area for planning, pollution, highway, pollution or other related issues
- 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
Depending on the type of property in question, as well as where it is situated, further checks might be necessary. If this is the case, your solicitor will inform you.
Is it better to use a conveyancing solicitor or a conveyancer for Leeds property?
For the typical property buyer or seller, the difference between a conveyancing solicitor and a licensed conveyancer may not be immediately apparent. Both represent distinct qualifications for handling property transactions, with neither inherently superior to the other. However, instructing a solicitors' firm can offer advantages.
Property solicitors in Leeds often have a breadth of experience beyond property transactions, including areas such as wills, inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution. This broader expertise ensures that you have access to the right knowledge and support for any issues that may arise during a property transaction.
What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Leeds?
When buying property in Leeds you may encounter various local issues that can impact the transaction. Some common issues include:
- Leasehold Properties: Many properties in Leeds are leasehold, and buyers need to carefully review lease terms, ground rent, and service charges. Understanding leasehold conditions is crucial.
- Flood Risk: Parts of Leeds, especially near rivers like the Aire, may be susceptible to flooding. Buyers should check flood risk maps and obtain relevant information to assess the property's vulnerability.
- Local Authority Searches: Conducting thorough local authority searches is vital to identify planning permissions, building regulations, and potential development plans that could affect the property.
- Conservation Areas: Leeds has several conservation areas with specific regulations. Buyers of properties within these areas need to be aware of restrictions on alterations and the need for conservation area consent.
- Mining and Subsidence: Certain areas in Leeds have a history of mining, which can lead to subsidence issues. Property buyers should investigate whether the property is in a coal mining area and assess subsidence risks.
- Radon Gas: Some areas in Leeds may be prone to elevated levels of radon gas. Radon can pose health risks and may require mitigation measures in the property.
- Transport and Infrastructure Plans: Leeds is undergoing significant development, including the HS2 rail project. Buyers should be aware of any planned transport or infrastructure developments that may impact the property.
- Japanese Knotweed: This invasive plant species can cause damage to properties. Buyers should be vigilant and conduct surveys to check for the presence of Japanese Knotweed.
- Boundary Disputes: Clarifying property boundaries is essential to avoid potential disputes with neighbours. Obtaining an accurate land survey can help resolve boundary-related issues.
- Energy Efficiency Regulations: Complying with energy efficiency standards is crucial. Buyers should check whether the property meets the required Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) standards.
What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Leeds?
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 Leeds, 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 Leeds?
All you need to do to get started is give us a call or you can request a conveyancing quote using our simple online form.
Our conveyancing team in Leeds will be able to guide you through the initial stages of your transaction. Once your file is opened, they can then work alongside you to advise you as your case progresses.
Whether you are moving to, from or across Leeds, our conveyancers will be able to lend their expertise.
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors for Leeds
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors in Leeds by giving us a call and a member of our team will be in touch with you very shortly, or get an online conveyancing quote.