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Conveyancing solicitors in Oakham
If you are looking to buy, sell, or remortgage a home in Oakham, then our expert conveyancers will be able to provide the support you need to make sure that your transaction is completed quickly and efficiently.
Moving homes is an exciting time, but it can be a little daunting, especially if you are moving homes for the first time. Our conveyancing solicitors have a wealth of combined experience in assisting individuals and families with a range of conveyancing matters and can help you avoid any of the potential pitfalls that come with moving home.
At Bird & Co, we provide a friendly and reliable conveyancing service tailored to suit your circumstances. We offer simple, straightforward advice and will guide you through the entire conveyancing process from start to finish.
We offer an online conveyancing service that is practical and simple to use. This means we can reach clients from across Oakham and the surrounding East Midlands area, including Uppingham, Collyweston and Cottesmore.
To get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team in Oakham, 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’s Conveyancing Solicitors in Oakham?
We specialise in online conveyancing which means we can carry out most of the conveyancing process remotely. You won’t have to meet us in person or travel to our offices at all (unless you want to).
Our work has been designed to make conveyancing as straightforward as possible, reducing the stress and anxiety that can often come with moving homes.
When you work with us in Oakham, you will always have direct lines of communication with our team, as well as a direct email address for the conveyancer who is working on your case. You’ll always be able to contact the right people if you need any updates on your conveyancing transaction.
We have been 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
In addition to this, we are also Lexcel accredited by the Law Society. Lexcel is only awarded to firms that demonstrate the highest levels of practice management and client care.
How our conveyancing solicitors in Oakham can help you
Our team of expert property solicitors in Oakham have a range of expertise 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
Our team are on the panel for most major lenders, so we can support you whether you are using a national firm or local building society.
Why instruct our online conveyancers instead of a conveyancer in Oakham?
There are numerous benefits to instructing our online conveyancers, including:
- We have in-depth knowledge of the national property market, as well as expertise in the local Oakham market, giving us an edge over firms which exclusively deal with local transactions.
- Our online systems have been developed with sensitive communications in mind. We keep all of our conveyancing transactions secure by using procedures such as encrypting emails, securely configuring our devices and putting malware protection in place.
- We can get your conveyancing done quickly and efficiently. As the vast majority of our work can be completed digitally, there will be little waiting around for documents to be hand delivered or posted and there are far fewer potential delays to the conveyancing process.
- Online conveyancing tends to be more cost-effective. We can help you to avoid the extra costs that are often associated with traditional conveyancing work.
- We have dealt with property transactions around the country, even for clients who are on the other side of the world. We frequently use video conferencing to talk to clients from outside the UK.
- Our legal obligations to you remain the same as if we were meeting in person and 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 in Oakham?
We can offer a range of flexible fees for our conveyancing services in Oakham, including fixed fees for straightforward work. In some cases, additional costs may be required to complete your transaction. If this is likely to be the case, then this will be clearly explained to you.
There are other costs involved in the conveyancing process, called disbursements. Examples of disbursements could include conveyancing searches and registering transactions at HM Land Registry. Any expected disbursements will be included in your initial quote.
You may also need to consider how your transaction will be affected by tax. For example, Stamp Duty Land Tax or Capital Gains Tax might need to be paid. If this is the case, your conveyancing solicitor will help you calculate how much is owed and file the return with HMRC.
Conveyancing FAQs
How does the conveyancing process work in Oakham?
There are three main stages to buying or selling a home:
- Offer and acceptance
- Exchange of contracts
- Completion
When an offer is accepted on a home, the buyer and seller agree to enter into a contract. At this stage, the transaction is not legally binding, meaning either party can pull out of the transaction without incurring a penalty.
The buyer will then be advised to carry out checks on the property with the assistance of their conveyancing solicitor. The sort of information they seek out could 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)
If needed, the buyer will also need to apply for a mortgage at this stage.
Following this, the buyer and seller will exchange contracts. The transaction will now be legally binding and both parties will need to commit to seeing it through. Penalties will follow if either party pulls out.
Completion is when the transaction is deemed to be official. A transfer deed will be submitted to HM Land Registry and the seller will be required to leave the property.
How long does conveyancing take in Oakham?
The time it takes to complete a conveyancing transaction will depend on several factors, but straightforward cases should take between 12-14 weeks from the date the offer is accepted and conveyancing solicitors are instructed.
Delays that are out of our control can occur, which means the overall process can be disrupted. If this is likely to be the case, then your conveyancing solicitor will keep you informed.
What searches are involved in conveyancing in Oakham?
Your conveyancer will carry out several checks when you are buying a home, which are referred to as conveyancing searches. These are carried out to assess whether there are any problems with the property that need to be addressed before the transaction goes ahead.
The checks your conveyancer carries out are known as conveyancing searches. These are completed to assess the condition of the property before the transaction progresses.
There are three main types of checks:
- Local authority checks – to check the surrounding area for planning, pollution, highway 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
If further checks are required your conveyancing solicitor will let you know.
Is it better to use a conveyancing solicitor or a conveyancer for Oakham property?
The distinction between a conveyancing solicitor and a licensed conveyancer might not be immediately apparent to the average property buyer or seller. Both represent different qualifications necessary for handling property transactions. While neither is inherently superior to the other, engaging a law firm can offer certain advantages.
A firm of solicitors typically possesses expertise beyond property transactions, including areas such as wills and inheritance, property rights for unmarried couples, and dispute resolution. Collaborating with solicitors can therefore ensure you have access to the expertise you need in any situation.
What issues should buyers consider when purchasing a home in Oakham?
When buying property in Oakham individuals might encounter various local property issues that could potentially complicate the process. Some common issues specific to the area might include:
- Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas: Oakham is known for its historic architecture, including numerous listed buildings and conservation areas. Buyers might face restrictions on modifications and renovations, requiring specific permissions and adherence to preservation guidelines.
- Rural Property Challenges: As Oakham is surrounded by rural landscapes, properties in these areas might have specific challenges related to access, maintenance of private roads, and compliance with agricultural land regulations.
- Flood Risk: Certain areas in Oakham might be prone to flooding, requiring additional due diligence regarding flood risk assessments and insurance considerations.
- Local Land and Property Development Plans: Potential buyers need to stay informed about local development plans and proposals that might impact the surrounding area, such as new housing developments, infrastructure projects, or zoning changes that could affect the property's value or liveability.
- Environmental Concerns: Given Oakham's natural surroundings, issues related to protected wildlife habitats, conservation designations, or environmental impact assessments might arise, particularly for properties near sensitive ecological areas.
- Land Disputes and Rights of Way: Disputes related to land boundaries, easements, and rights of way can emerge, especially in rural areas. These issues might require thorough investigation and resolution before completing a property purchase.
- Drainage and Sewerage System: Understanding the local drainage and sewerage system, particularly for properties not connected to main sewers, is crucial to avoid potential issues related to maintenance, septic tank regulations, and environmental compliance.
What documents does a property solicitor need for conveyancing in Oakham?
Residential conveyancing in Oakham 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 Oakham, 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 in Oakham?
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 team of conveyancers will be on hand to guide you through the initial stages of your transaction and, once your file is opened, your Oakham conveyancer and their team will handle all the legal details involved in your transaction.
Whether you are moving to, from or across Oakham, our conveyancers will be able to support you from start to finish.
Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors in Oakham
Get in touch with our Oakham conveyancing solicitors 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.