Practicalities

Practical aspects of property transactions including timescales, contracts, surveys, and potential complications. We cover lease details, stamp duty calculations, and working with various professionals.

Agents Who Recommend Mortgage Brokers or Conveyancers

You're not obligated to use the mortgage broker or conveyancer your estate agent recommends, and there are good reasons to consider your own.

Conveyancing: Shared Ownership Properties

How shared ownership differs from joint ownership and what you need to know before buying a partial stake in a property.

DIY Conveyancing and Surveyors

Why hiring a surveyor before exchanging contracts matters more than you might think.

Exchanging Contracts: What's Involved?

Exchanging contracts is the legally binding moment in a property sale, where the buyer and seller sign matching copies and commit to the deal.

How Long Will the Move Take?

Moving house timelines depend on your whole chain, and no one can honestly promise you a fixed completion date.

Property Which Is Subject to a Bankruptcy Restriction

When someone files for bankruptcy, their property gets registered with restrictions that affect ownership and sales.

Registered or Unregistered

When you buy or sell a house, the title proves ownership; most properties are now registered with the Land Registry, which guarantees they're genuine.

Stamp Duty Explained

Stamp Duty is a tax on property transfers that's been around since 1694, and most home buyers pay it when purchasing property over £125,000.

The National Conveyancing Protocol

UK Law Society's guidelines for speeding up residential property conveyancing using standardised forms and procedures.

The Potential Pitfalls of DIY Conveyancing

Handling your own property sale sounds cheap until mistakes cost thousands, here's why DIY conveyancing can backfire.

The Residential Property Lease

A residential lease is a legal contract that gives you the right to occupy a property for a set period, but you never own it outright.

What Can I Do to Make the Move Go Smoothly?

Keep stress levels down and handle the practical details carefully to ensure your home move goes without major hitches.