Residential Conveyancing

Yes, the VAT is added to your final bill once the sale or purchase has been exchanged.

At Cunningtons, the cost of conveyancing for buying a house is based on the property price. Our fees are calculated using the average house prices in the UK, as provided by the Office of National Statistics. As of June 2023, the average house price in the UK was £288,000.
For properties with a purchase price up to £2,500,000, we offer a banded fixed fee service. This means that regardless of the property price within these price bands, our fees remain the same.
You can work out our legal fees to act on the purchase of a property by checking our Conveyancing Fees page. Our fees cover the entire conveyancing process and represent the typical cost you can expect when engaging Cunningtons for assistance with buying a house. We’ve also provided some additional tables of fees for unusual situations which might arise where an extra fee might be payable, to give you as much information as possible. We would always discuss these circumstances with you before making a charge for any additional work.

At Cunningtons, the average cost of conveyancing services varies according to the price of the property. As of June 2023, the average house price in the UK was recorded to be £288,000 according to the Office of National Statistics. 
 
Our fees are specifically tailored to match your house price, with a banded fixed fee service available for all transactions valued up to £2,500,000.
 
You can calculate your legal fees for Cunningtons to act on the purchase of a property by checking our Conveyancing Fees page. Our fees cover the entire conveyancing process and represent the typical cost you can expect when engaging Cunningtons for legal assistance with buying a house.

The average freehold transaction which proceeds without undue delay from lenders or local authorities in processing search requests, can usually take around 6 to 10 weeks from receipt of papers, leasehold transactions usually take longer due to the more complicated nature of the title and maintenance arrangements.

Additional ‘disbursements’ are merely payments to 3rd parties such as to local authorities for search fees and to the Land Registry for title deeds.

Difficulties can arise when there are disputes as to title (ownership) of any part of the property, with:
– alterations if the property is a listed building,
– lack of landlord consent for alterations to flats, or
– with a failure to have planning permission for changes to a property.

The information from a property search is vital to a buyer. You need to know, for example, if the area is about to be extensively developed as that would be highly disruptive in terms of resulting traffic and noise levels.

This is a request to the Local Authority to provide any information that they may have relating to the property being bought; this includes any planning entries, financial charges and local road schemes, but does not cover any neighbouring land.

There are two key events in the sale of a property in the UK – ‘exchange’ and ‘completion’. The ‘exchange of contracts’ happens when both parties sign a legal contract and their legal representatives agree the terms and date the Contract that makes all aspects of the purchase legally binding and enforceable. ‘Completion’ is the final stage in the sale of a property, when property legally changes ownership.

After you have gone through our quotation system and signed our instruction form, if you’re selling you’ll need to let us have any deeds you hold and guarantees and other certificates. Providing your ID documents at an early stage always helps, and if you’re buying, evidence of the source of your funds.

You should find a solicitor to act for you in your property sale or purchase as early as possible: you don’t need to wait until you’ve had an offer or found a new home to get the ball rolling.

Cunningtons’ highly skilled residential conveyancing solicitors excel in providing comprehensive guidance and support for various types of property transactions. With our advanced case management technology, our solicitors ensure you remain informed about the progress of your sale or purchase throughout the process. 
 
Whether you need legal help with selling or buying a house or a flat, acquiring freehold or engaging in collective enfranchisement, navigating the conveyancing process for repossessed property, or seeking conveyancing services for purchasing from builders and developers, our residential conveyancing team is well-equipped to meet your specific needs.

Once you give us the go-ahead to assist with your house move, we promptly allocate a dedicated case manager to handle all aspects of your transaction. This case manager will be your primary point of contact throughout the process, and we will provide you with their direct dial and email address for easy communication. This personalised approach ensures that your case is being handled by a specialist in residential conveyancing who is fully dedicated to your needs. Moreover, your case manager will be readily available to discuss every detail of your property transaction, ensuring that you are well-informed and comfortable throughout the entire process.

Our residential conveyancing solicitors are dedicated to ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for your property transaction. Whether you are buying or selling a house, or have any other residential property requirement, our experienced team is here to provide expert assistance.

With a wide range of services available, including buying and selling properties, auction property conveyancing, and transfer of equity, we can cater for all your needs. When you choose Cunningtons, you can expect a personalised approach, as we allocate a dedicated case manager to oversee your file. This provides you with the confidence that your case is being handled by a specialist who will keep you informed about the progress of your sale or purchase at all times.

Our solicitors understand the significance of your property transaction and are committed to making the process as quick and efficient as possible. We will take care of all the necessary legal aspects, ensuring that all documentation and paperwork is handled with utmost precision.

To get started or to learn more about how our residential conveyancing solicitors can assist you, please ask us for a free conveyancing quote, with no obligation. Alternatively, you can contact your local branch direct for an initial chat with one of our knowledgeable legal advisors. Let Cunningtons take the stress out of your property transaction and provide you with peace of mind every step of the way.

After completion, the seller’s conveyancing solicitor attends to the redemption of the seller’s mortgage. Once everything is completed satisfactorily, the seller is notified by their solicitor. At this point, the seller can hand over the keys and other essential information to the new owners of the property.

Once contracts are exchanged, a completion date is agreed upon between the seller and the buyer. At this point, both parties are legally bound to proceed with the sale. It is also suggested that the seller organises removal men if not already done.

The buyer’s conveyancing solicitors carry out necessary searches and checks. These searches and checks may vary depending on the property type but can include searches for issues like planning, environmental, and drainage. For leasehold or managed properties, these searches and checks tend to be more complex.

A Contract pack is prepared by the seller’s solicitor and supplied to the buyer’s solicitors. It contains all the necessary documents and information related to the property sale for the buyer’s solicitors to review and raise any pre-contract enquiries, including the Sellers title, Property Information form and Fixtures and Fittings form.