Bird & Co. Solicitors Banner Image
Review stars
  • TrustScore 4.8
  • 777 reviews

Conveyancing Solicitors in Newcastle

If you are looking to buy, sell or remortgage in or around Newcastle and the Tyne and Wear area, our friendly and highly experienced conveyancing solicitors are here to provide all of the advice and support you need.

Buying or selling your home is an exciting but often stressful time. Finding a conveyancing solicitor, you can trust to get the job done swiftly and cost-effectively can make the experience much easier to cope with, allowing you to focus on getting ready to move. We can provide specialist conveyancing advice to individuals, couples and families looking to take their next step on the property ladder.

Whether you’re a first time buyer, sizing up to start a family, sizing down for retirement, a buy to let investor, or you’re in the market for a holiday home, we can help.

We offer a fast, efficient online conveyancing service with a personal touch.

Our conveyancing solicitors assist clients from all across Newcastle upon Tyne and the general Tyne and Wear area, including Newcastle city centre, Jesmond, Gosforth, Heaton, Sandyford, Fenham, Denton, and Wallsend.

Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors in Newcastle 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.

Why choose Bird & Co for your conveyancing in Newcastle?

We particularly specialise in online conveyancing which means that we can conduct your property transaction completely online and there is no need to ever come to our offices to see us (unless you want to, of course).

We offer a friendly, modern and efficient service. If you want to deal with fully qualified lawyers who are friendly and approachable, our team can help you.

You will have a direct line straight through to your legal team, and a direct email address for the lawyer handling your conveyancing. You can guarantee that your query will reach the right people, whether you want to ask about property searches in Newcastle, fixtures and fittings in your dream home, or anything else related to your property deal.

We are a Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited firm which means that you can trust us to:

  • Provide a high quality of legal advice not found at other firms.
  • Get your conveyancing transaction completed as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
  • Provide top-quality customer service and respond quickly to calls and emails.
  • Provide regular updates along the way and never leave you in the dark.
  • Be 100% upfront and honest about our fees – we’ll provide an accurate quote before you officially instruct us so that you can decide whether we are right for you.

We are also Lexcel accredited which means that we are dedicated to customer service and ensuring your needs are taken care of at all times. Lexcel is only awarded to firms which provide the best standards of client care, compliance and legal practice management.

How our conveyancing solicitors can help people in Newcastle

We are fully qualified, specialist conveyancing solicitors in Newcastle with years of experience helping people up and down the country with all types of property transactions. Our expertise includes:

We are on the panel for most major lenders, and many smaller ones too. Whether you want to use your local Building Society in Tyne and Wear or one of the larger corporates, chances are we have you covered.

Benefits of working with our online conveyancers instead of a local conveyancer in Newcastle

There are many benefits to instructing a firm that specialises in online conveyancing:

  • Our property lawyers are nationally recognised experts. We have experience in the local market in Newcastle but we also have wider in-depth knowledge of the national property market – this gives us the edge over firms which only deal with local transactions.
  • Our online systems have been developed with sensitive communications in mind – We’re able to send and receive all types of confidential legal documentation online with no risk to you. This means encrypting emails, securely configuring our devices and systems, putting in place malware protection and more. Your data is safe with us.
  • We can get your conveyancing done faster and more efficiently – we don’t have to wait for documents to be hand delivered or posted; the entirety of your conveyancing transaction can be completed from the comfort of your own home.
  • Online conveyancing can be more cost-effective – taking the time to visit a conveyancer in person and printing and posting documentation all comes at a price, one which most conveyancers will pass on to their clients. Because the vast majority of our services can be conducted online, you can save money while still receiving the high-quality service you expect.
  • We have successfully dealt with thousands of conveyancing transactions all over the country, even with clients from the other side of the world. It is not unknown for us to talk to clients outside the UK using Skype – we once even had clients in Thailand talking to us through an interpreter in New Zealand.
  • We have exactly the same legal obligations to you as we would if we were meeting you in person. The conveyancing process is the same and we are fully insured just in case.

Our conveyancing fees – how much does our conveyancing cost for Newcastle property?

We offer a range of flexible, affordable fees for conveyancing in Newcastle. In many straightforward cases, we are happy to offer fixed fees and we will provide a quote at the beginning of your transaction. We will never exceed a quote without speaking to you and explaining what extra work needs to be done first.

As well as our legal fees, there will be costs (referred to as disbursements) for things like conveyancing searches or registering transactions at HM Land Registry. We will also break down these expected costs in your initial quote so you know exactly what you are paying for.

We don't add extra fees on for things like photocopying, postage, or the like. Those are our overheads and we don't pass them on to you.

Buying and selling property sometimes incurs tax, such as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) or Capital Gains Tax. We can provide assistance with Stamp Duty, including helping you calculate how much is due and filing the tax return with HMRC. For all other types of tax, we recommend seeking independent financial advice.

Conveyancing FAQs

How does the conveyancing process work in Newcastle?

There are three main stages of buying or selling a home:

  • Offer and acceptance
  • Exchange of contracts
  • Completion

When an offer is accepted on a property it means that the buyer and seller intend to enter into a legal contract. This means that the conveyancing transaction is not yet legally binding and either side can pull out at any time – this is how gazumping happens, where a seller accepts a higher offer after having already accepted an offer.

After their offer is accepted, the buyer should seek all the information they need about the property, such as:

  • Reviewing property information and fixtures and fittings forms provided by the seller and making enquiries (handled by the conveyancing solicitor).
  • Conducting conveyancing property searches, such as local authority searches (done by the conveyancing solicitor).
  • Doing an independent survey (handled by the buyer).
  • The buyer also needs to obtain their mortgage (if they need one).

When the buyer is happy that there are no problems with the property, they can exchange contracts with the seller and pay the deposit. This means that the sale and purchase becomes legally binding and neither side can back out without penalties unless they have a very good reason.

Completion is when the sale and purchase becomes official. Sometimes this occurs on the same day as the exchange or the buyer and seller can set a later completion date – it is completely up to them. Upon completion, a transfer deed will be submitted to HM Land Registry to register the buyer’s ownership and they must pay any Stamp Duty. The seller must vacate the property on the completion date.

How long does conveyancing take in Newcastle?

A straightforward sale and purchase will usually take around 12-14 weeks from the date an offer is accepted and our Newcastle conveyancing solicitors are instructed. However, if there are any issues, such as delays with other transactions in the chain or if a search reveals a problem, the transaction could take longer.

We can provide tailored advice about how long your transaction is likely to take after assessing your individual circumstances.

What searches are involved in conveyancing in Newcastle?

Conveyancing searches are enquiries undertaken by your conveyancer to check whether there are any problems with a property or the surrounding area. The three main searches your solicitor will do are:

  • Local authority searches – to check the surrounding area for planning, highway, pollution issues 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, the location of pipes and public sewers and ownership rights of drains and pipes.

Depending on where the property is, your conveyancing solicitor may also recommend other types of searches, such as coal mining searches or brine pumping searches.

Is it better to use a conveyancing solicitor or a conveyancer for Newcastle property?

For many 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 manage property transactions. Neither is inherently superior to the other, yet there are potential benefits to engaging with property solicitors in Newcastle.

Solicitors' firms typically have expertise extending beyond property transactions, including areas such as Wills and inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution. Collaborating with our Newcastle conveyancing solicitors can therefore offer reassurance that a range of expertise is available to address various issues that may arise during the buying or selling process.

What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Newcastle?

While Newcastle offers many advantages to buyers, there are some key local issues to consider when buying in the city. These include:

  • Coal Mining Subsidence: Newcastle has a history of coal mining and properties in certain areas may be affected by subsidence due to historic mining activities. Buyers should conduct thorough subsidence checks and consider obtaining a Coal Mining Report to assess the risk.
  • Flood Risk: Parts of Newcastle, particularly areas near rivers like the Tyne and Ouseburn, may be prone to flooding. Buyers should investigate the property's flood risk and consider obtaining a Flood Risk Assessment to assess potential flood hazards.
  • Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas: Newcastle boasts many historic buildings and conservation areas, which may come with restrictions on alterations and renovations. Buyers of listed buildings or properties in conservation areas should be aware of these restrictions and obtain necessary permissions before making any changes.
  • Leasehold Issues: In some parts of Newcastle, particularly in newer developments, properties may be sold as leasehold rather than freehold. Buyers should carefully review the terms of the lease, including ground rent, service charges, and lease length, to avoid potential issues in the future.
  • Local Infrastructure and Transport: Access to transportation and local infrastructure can vary across different areas of Newcastle. Buyers should consider factors such as proximity to public transport, road congestion, and availability of amenities when evaluating a property's location.
  • Urban Regeneration Projects: Newcastle has undergone significant urban regeneration in recent years, with ongoing development projects across the city. Buyers should research planned regeneration initiatives in the area to understand how they may impact property values and the local environment.
  • Radon Gas: Some areas of Newcastle may have elevated levels of radon gas, which can pose health risks. Buyers should consider conducting a radon risk assessment, especially for properties in areas known to have higher radon levels.
  • Property Boundary Disputes: Boundary disputes between neighbouring properties can occur in any area, including Newcastle. Buyers should review property boundaries carefully and consider obtaining a boundary survey to avoid potential disputes in the future.

What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Newcastle?

Residential conveyancing in Newcastle 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 Newcastle, 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 Newcastle?

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 helpful conveyancing support team will then guide you through the initial stages and, once your conveyancing file is opened, your Newcastle conveyancing solicitor and their team will deal with the legal side of the conveyancing transaction. You'll be given direct contact details for your conveyancing lawyers and they'll keep in touch with you every step of the way.

Whether you're moving to Newcastle or away from Newcastle, our conveyancing team can help you do so with the minimum of fuss and inconvenience.

Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors for Newcastle

Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors in the Newcastle upon Tyne area by giving us a call and a member of our team will be in touch shortly, or get an online conveyancing quote.