Brighton(or Brighton and Hove as the city is officially known) is a thriving cosmopolitan resort town that has been popular with visitors since the Prince Regent (later King George IV) patronised the area, building the landmark Royal Pavilion. Gaining city status in 2000, the city boasts two piers, a working marina and several period hotels, including the Grand. Whether you are planning on purchasing a flat or selling a maisonette in Peace Haven, or simply wishing to release some of the equity in your bungalow in Black Rock, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancers are waiting to assist you and guide you through the legal process.
Our experience and knowledge of Brighton and its flourishing housing market, and of how your purchase or sale are affected by the legal process mean that you can be assured of a top-quality conveyancing service but at a value-for-money price.
We're open 6 days a week for your convenience, so call us now on to get your free, no-obligation quote.
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Why choose Homeward Legal for your conveyancing in Brighton
We've established an excellent reputation you can trust and helped over 30,000 customers in the past 13 years.
Our residential conveyancing solicitors are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
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Fixed Legal Fee policy
No hidden costs - the legal fee you get quoted is definitive.
No-Completion, No-Fee policy
You won't pay any legal fees if your move falls through for any reason.
Search & survey protection
You won't pay for your next search and survey if your transaction falls through.
Complete support
Dedicated customer service from start to finish. We are open 6 days a week.
Local knowledge
Solicitors with offices across England and Wales.
Simple & straightforward
No confusion with legal jargon - just plain and simple English.
Excellent, friendly service
So far so good, straight forward process with competitive pricing.
Chris has been brilliant, really helpful and friendly, made me feel reassured during a difficult time and didn't make me feel pressured.
Would definitely use this service again.
Current market trends in Brighton
Once you've decided to buy your property in Brighton or one of its suburbs, you'll naturally want to know everything about the area and how the process of purchasing the home might affect it. So, if you are considering the prosperous residential area of leafy Aldrington, the cliff-top rural splendour of Saltdean, or the excellent transport links that the suburb of Westdene offers, the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal fully understands your needs, placing them at the centre of their work.
- Average property price: £414,000-£492,000 (all property types)
- Most active areas: Hove, Kemp Town, Preston Park, and The Lanes
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price growth: +1.3% to +3% year-on-year (varies by property type and location)
Sources: ONS, Land Registry, Rightmove, Homeward Legal internal data
Updated June 2025
Essential local searches for Brighton properties
When buying property in Brighton & Hove, specific local searches are important due to the city's unique coastal location, Victorian heritage, and ongoing coastal protection schemes. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
Brighton & Hove City Council maintains the local land charges register and handles planning permissions, building regulations, conservation area controls, and development restrictions that might affect your property.
These searches reveal planning permissions, building regulations compliance, conservation area restrictions, and local development plans. The council's new Planning Register provides planning application data and allows easy viewing and commenting on applications, with historical data available for research.
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Critical in Brighton due to its coastal location, Victorian-era industrial heritage, and proximity to major transport infrastructure including Brighton Station and the A23 corridor.
Environmental searches identify contamination risks from former industrial activities, air quality concerns, ground stability issues, and coastal erosion risk assessment. These are particularly important given Brighton's mix of historic Victorian terraces, seafront developments, and regeneration areas. Coastal erosion risk is currently assessed as minor over the next 100 years for Brighton & Hove's coastline.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for Brighton properties due to the city's coastal location and the ongoing Brighton Marina to River Adur Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Scheme. These searches provide comprehensive information about water supply, sewerage systems, flood risk assessment, and coastal flood considerations.
Our searches assess flood risk using the Brighton & Hove Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), which identifies flood zones and past localised flooding incidents. The coastal location requires particular attention to sea flood risk, surface water drainage systems, and the impact of major coastal defence works including new groynes and shingle replenishment, scheduled for completion around June 2026.
Location resources for Brighton property transactions
Online tools for researching Brighton properties, planning history, and local considerations.
- Brighton & Hove Planning Register - Search planning applications and building regulations in Brighton & Hove
- Local Land Charges Search - Search for local restrictions and charges affecting Brighton properties
- Environment Agency flood risk maps - Check flood risk levels for coastal and inland Brighton properties
- Coastal erosion risk checker - Assess long-term coastal erosion risk for seafront properties
- Brighton & Hove Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Detailed flood zone information and site-specific guidance
- Land Registry price paid data - Search property sale prices and ownership records for Brighton & Hove
Our conveyancing services in Brighton
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Brighton
Legal fees starting from £564 (inc. VAT)
- Local authority expertise - Comprehensive searches with Brighton & Hove City Council's detailed requirements and procedures
- Coastal flood risk assessments - Essential flood zone searches and specialist insurance guidance for seafront and low-lying properties
- Waterfront property compliance - Marina leasehold requirements, service charges, and coastal development regulations
- Planning permissions verification - Confirming development rights and planning restrictions for your property
- Victorian heritage compliance - Conservation area restrictions and listed building requirements for period properties
- Completion coordination - Managing exchange and completion dates in the competitive coastal property market
Your Brighton conveyancing solicitor handles coastal flood searches, heritage compliance, and waterfront property requirements.
Learn more about buying a property Or get an instant quote ->Selling a property in Brighton
Legal fees starting from £552 (inc. VAT)
- Property enquiry responses - Comprehensive answers to buyer solicitor questions about coastal considerations and heritage restrictions
- Coastal flood certification - Flood risk certificates and sea defence documentation for buyer confidence
- Planning documentation - Providing development history and building regulations compliance for buyer enquiries
- Heritage compliance certificates - Conservation area and listed building documentation for period properties
- Legal documentation - Comprehensive contract preparation and property information compilation for smooth Brighton sales
- Completion coordination - Managing exchange and completion timing in the competitive coastal market environment
Your Brighton conveyancing solicitor manages coastal compliance, heritage requirements, and local market factors.
Learn more about selling a property Or get an instant quote ->Buying and selling a property in Brighton
Legal fees starting from £1024 (inc. VAT)
- Chain coordination - Managing your sale and purchase transactions with careful market timing
- Brighton & Hove Council experience - Handling council requirements for planning permissions and legal compliance
- Coastal documentation management - Managing flood risk and waterfront property requirements where relevant
- Heritage area verification - Managing conservation area and listed building requirements where relevant
- Planning compliance verification - Ensuring development permissions align across your transactions
- Completion timing management - Managing exchange and completion dates to meet your moving requirements
Your Brighton conveyancing solicitor coordinates transactions involving local properties with market-focused timing expertise.
Learn more about buying and selling a property Or get an instant quote ->Remortgaging in Brighton
Legal fees starting from £283 (inc. VAT)
- Property documentation compilation - Gathering all required certificates, searches, and legal papers for property transfers
- Family coordination - Managing sensitive transfers for divorce, inheritance, or family planning requirements
- Title verification - Confirming ownership rights and restrictions for smooth equity transfer completion
- Deed preparation - Preparing transfer deeds and legal documentation for ownership changes
- Stamp duty management - Calculating and arranging stamp duty payments where applicable
- Land Registry completion - Updating ownership records with new details and finalising registration
Your Brighton conveyancing solicitor manages ownership changes and legal documentation for efficient equity transfer completion.
Learn more about remortgaging Or get an instant quote ->Transfer of equity in Brighton
Legal fees starting from £312 (inc. VAT)
- Property documentation compilation - Gathering all required certificates, searches, and legal papers for property transfers
- Family coordination - Managing sensitive transfers for divorce, inheritance, or family planning requirements
- Title verification - Confirming ownership rights and restrictions for smooth equity transfer completion
- Deed preparation - Preparing transfer deeds and legal documentation for ownership changes
- Stamp duty management - Calculating and arranging stamp duty payments where applicable
- Land Registry completion - Updating ownership records with new details and finalising registration
Your Brighton conveyancing solicitor manages ownership changes and legal documentation for efficient equity transfer completion.
Learn more about transfer of equity Or get an instant quote ->
Brighton area property guide
Understanding Brighton's diverse neighborhoods
Roedean
Famous for its girls' school, Roedean is perched at the top of high cliffs, with an excellent view of the sea and surrounding countryside. Because of the structure of the cliffs making falls a possibility, your conveyancing solicitor will investigate the coastal erosion in this part of Brighton, so that you can understand the history and associated risks; they may recommend getting a more detailed expert report on the subject of coastal erosion in the area and how it specifically might impact your planned purchase.
Brunswick Town
Located to the far west of the city boundaries, Brunswick Town is an area that is ripe for development, which could mean bagging a bargain. Because of its history and the number of listed buildings, most of Brunswick Town falls under a conservation area. Should you want to purchase a property in the town, your conveyancing solicitor's searches will uncover the requirements and any covenants that might affect what you want to do with it and its grounds.
Brighton Marina
Brighton Marina lies towards the eastern end of the city and is a working harbour with several businesses along the seafront, including shops and a number of varied eateries and watering holes. There is also a large purpose-built residential area, featuring mostly self-contained flats in medium-rise buildings. Because of its closeness to the sea and the vagaries of the British weather, your conveyancer will endeavour to establish the history of flooding in the area and where such events are pertinent to the property you want to buy, perhaps suggesting a more detailed expert flood report.
Did you know?
Brighton is the home to many fine period buildings, but it lays a specific claim to not only Britain's oldest cinema (The Duke of York) that is still operating, but also to the oldest aquarium in the country (the Sea Life Centre).
Brighton was the host of the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, with the UK represented by England-born Australian Olivia Newton-John, performing Long Live Love at The Dome with a televised live broadcast across the European continent. She came fourth behind the powerhouse that was ABBA, who won with Waterloo.
Start your Brighton conveyancing journey today
Get expert Brighton conveyancing from solicitors who understand coastal properties, Victorian heritage buildings, and seaside considerations.
Call now for your free quote - we know Brighton's unique coastal property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in Brighton
What makes conveyancing in Brighton different from other areas?
Brighton combines seaside location, Victorian heritage, and proximity to London. Our conveyancers understand Brighton & Hove City Council policies, conservation area restrictions throughout the city, coastal considerations, and the unique dynamics of the rental market driven by tourism and young professionals seeking alternatives to London living.
How long does conveyancing take in Brighton?
Conveyancing in Brighton typically takes 8-12 weeks, though the competitive market often requires swift action. Victorian conversions and properties in conservation areas may require additional investigations. Coastal properties may need environmental assessments, which our experienced team manages efficiently throughout the process.
How much does conveyancing cost in Brighton?
Conveyancing costs in Brighton start from £564 for standard purchases. Brighton's popular location and strong London commuter appeal create a premium market. We provide transparent pricing with our Fixed Legal Fee guarantee, with any additional costs for heritage or coastal searches clearly outlined upfront.
Do I need to visit your offices for Brighton conveyancing?
No, you don't need to visit offices for Brighton conveyancing. Our online conveyancing service means everything can be handled remotely. Our solicitors understand Brighton's unique property market, including its seaside location, heritage considerations, and appeal to London commuters.
Are there coastal considerations for Brighton properties?
Brighton's coastal location means some properties may face considerations around sea air exposure, potential flooding, or coastal erosion. Our conveyancers conduct appropriate environmental searches and advise on any coastal-specific insurance requirements or long-term maintenance considerations affecting your property choice.
What should I know about Brighton's rental market dynamics?
Brighton's strong tourism sector, university presence, and appeal to young professionals create diverse rental demand. Some areas have high concentrations of HMOs and short-term lets, which may affect residential amenity and property values. Our team advises on local market dynamics and any relevant licensing requirements.
