Cardiff, or Caerdydd in the Welsh language, is the capital of the country of Wales (Cymru), and is the base of the Senedd (the Welsh Parliament since devolution). The eleventh largest city in the United Kingdom, Cardiff's history as a small port town can be traced back to the earliest coal-mining in the area, but is now the principal commercial centre for Wales, and its vibrant city life makes it a popular destination for tourists and those considering a property venture there. Whether you are planning on a leasehold flat sale in Tremorfa, a release of some equity in a property in Cyncoed, or the purchase of a detached home in the more rural Pontprennau, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancing solicitors are waiting to receive your call and guide you through the process.
We will call on our breadth of knowledge of Cardiff and its housing market and our deep understanding of how the purchase or sale of properties are affected by the common (and not so common) legal issues, so that you can be assured of a top-quality service at a value-for-money fee.
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).
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 Cardiff
Having decided to buy a property in the Cardiff area, you'll understandably want to know everything you can about the area you are planning on moving to, and about the specifics that might affect your purchase. So, if you are planning on enjoying the village life that Creigiau in the north-west offers you, or the leafy quietness of Fairwater (Y Tyllgoed), or perhaps the proximity of Splott to all the amenities that the city centre provides, the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal fully understands your conveyancing and home-moving needs.
- Average property price: £247,000-£273,000
- Most active areas: City centre, Cardiff Bay, Pontcanna, and Roath
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8 -12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price growth: +3% to +5% year-on-year
Sources: ONS, Plumplot, Homeward Legal internal data
Updated July 2025
Essential local searches for Cardiff properties
When buying property in Cardiff, specific local searches are crucial due to the city's status as the Welsh capital, diverse neighbourhoods, and ongoing urban regeneration projects. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
Cardiff 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 major development plans including Cardiff Bay regeneration, city centre developments, and strategic housing projects. Cardiff's rapid growth and development mean understanding planning proposals is crucial for future property values.
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Important in Cardiff due to the city's industrial heritage, port activities, and ongoing regeneration of former industrial sites, particularly around Cardiff Bay and docklands areas.
Environmental searches identify contamination risks from former industrial activities, ground stability issues, and proximity to regeneration zones. These are particularly important given Cardiff's history as a major coal port and the potential for contaminated land from former dockyard and industrial sites.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for Cardiff properties due to the Rivers Taff and Ely running through the city, Cardiff Bay's coastal location, and the Severn Estuary. The city faces both riverine and tidal flooding risks.
Our searches assess flood risk from rivers, coastal flooding from Cardiff Bay, and surface water drainage, particularly important in areas near the waterfront, rivers, and in low-lying parts of the city centre and Bay area.
Learn more about water and drainage search >
Mining searches
Cardiff sits in an area with historical coal mining activity. Mining searches check for potential subsidence from former mine workings beneath the property, particularly relevant given South Wales' mining heritage.
Location resources for Cardiff property transactions
Online tools for researching Cardiff properties, planning history, and local considerations.
- Cardiff Council Planning Portal - Search planning applications and building regulations in Cardiff
- HM Land Registry - Search property sale prices and ownership records
- Natural Resources Wales - Environmental information and flooding data for Wales
- Planning Portal Wales - National planning application portal for Wales
- Historic Environment Record Wales - Check listed buildings and conservation areas in Cardiff
Our conveyancing services in Cardiff
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Cardiff
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial verification - confirms the seller has legal right to sell and the property is free from issues.
- Property searches - conducts comprehensive local authority and environmental searches to identify potential problems.
- Property enquiries - raises detailed questions with the seller's solicitor about the property's use and history.
- Contract review - examines all legal documentation and ensures terms protect your interests.
- Mortgage coordination - liaises with your lender to arrange mortgage approval and legal requirements.
- Exchange management - finalises contract terms and coordinates exchange making the purchase legally binding.
- Completion coordination - handles final transfer, arranges mortgage funds, and ensures you receive the keys.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Cardiff.
Selling a property in Cardiff
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Ownership verification & documentation - confirms you have clear legal title and right to sell, then prepares all legal contracts and documentation for the sale.
- Property enquiries response - answers all legal questions raised by the buyer's solicitor about the property.
- Issue resolution - investigates and resolves any legal concerns or defects identified during the process.
- Mortgage coordination - liaises with your lender to arrange mortgage discharge and settlement.
- Exchange management - finalises contract terms and coordinates the exchange of contracts with the buyer's solicitor.
- Completion coordination - handles the final transfer, receives sale proceeds, pays off your mortgage, and transfers remaining funds to you.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Cardiff.
Buying and selling a property in Cardiff
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Chain coordination & timeline management - manages both transactions simultaneously to align completion dates and ensure smooth progression.
- Dual contract management - handles sale and purchase contracts together, ensuring all terms work in harmony.
- Financial coordination - manages deposit flows and fund transfers between your sale and purchase.
- Synchronised exchange & completion - coordinates both exchanges and completions to happen seamlessly on the same day.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Cardiff.
Remortgaging in Cardiff
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial assessment & lender liaison - coordinates between old and new mortgage providers while reviewing your property title.
- Legal documentation & verification - handles all required paperwork and confirms property ownership and restrictions.
- Discharge coordination - arranges settlement of existing mortgage and manages fund transfers.
- Registration completion - updates Land Registry records with new mortgage details and finalises the process.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Cardiff.
Transfer of equity in Cardiff
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial assessment & transfer preparation - reviews current ownership structure and prepares all necessary transfer documentation.
- Documentation & duty management - handles deed preparation and arranges stamp duty calculations and payments.
- Legal completion & registration - finalises the equity transfer and updates all Land Registry records.
- Support & coordination - provides guidance throughout and ensures smooth completion of the equity transfer.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Cardiff.
Cardiff area property guide
Understanding Cardiff's diverse neighborhoods
St. Mellons (Llaneirwg)
St. Mellons is one of the oldest areas of Cardiff and which was originally part of Monmouthshire, with its history firmly in farming and travel, being a stopover point for travellers coming to and from England just over the border. With a church that records can trace back to the 13th century, your conveyancing solicitor will be interested in establishing the current position for chancel repair commitments (payments for the upkeep of the local church by the parishioners) and, even if there is no current plan for the repair charge, they might suggest taking out indemnity insurance to protect you in the future should that change.
Llandaff
Home to its own cathedral dating back to the twelfth century, it also has the ruins of a castle and was originally a village that served as homes for the coal merchants, who oversaw the industrial change in the area, and specifically managed the coal-mining industry in south Wales. Because of this history, your conveyancer will carry out their initial searches to identify any known issues regarding coal-mining and industry in the area, including any contaminated land, while they might also suggest taking out a separate and more detailed Coal-Mining Report.
Pontcanna
Originally a wealthy area that was built around a crossing point of a tributary from the River Taff, there are tree-lined streets with many of the larger houses converted into flats, with access to many independent retailers and a thriving community for entertainment and eateries offering different cuisines. With a history of nearness to bodies of water, your conveyancing solicitor will endeavour to establish the history of flooding in the area, with a particular focus on the area you are thinking of moving to and how it has been impacted previously.
Did you know?
Cardiff has much to be proud of with a rich heritage and history, but it has some more modern achievements to its name, including being the location of the Loo of the Year award-winner not once but twice, which is found in the Wales Millennium Centre.
Cardiff has a strong history in the arts being the home of the Welsh Opera, as well as being the birthplace of such luminaries as singer Dame Shirley Bassey, comedian and writer Griff Rhys Jones and children's writer Roald Dahl, and the city is also home to an annual film festival. But, to a legion of Doctor Who fans, it is also the centre of the filming for the BBC series since its reboot in 2005.
Start your Cardiff conveyancing journey today
Get expert Cardiff conveyancing from solicitors who understand Welsh property law, regeneration areas, and South Wales heritage considerations.
Call now for your free quote - we know Cardiff's unique property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in Cardiff
What makes conveyancing in Cardiff different from other areas?
Cardiff's status as the Welsh capital and ongoing regeneration projects create specific legal considerations. Our conveyancers understand local council requirements, the competitive Welsh property market, and area-specific searches that may be required due to the city's industrial heritage and development activity.
How long does conveyancing take in Cardiff?
The average transaction takes 8 -12 weeks, though this can vary based on property type, location, and whether additional searches are required. We'll provide realistic timescales based on your specific circumstances.
How much does conveyancing cost in Cardiff?
Our conveyancing legal fees in Cardiff start from £510 for a standard purchase transaction, with a transparent breakdown of all costs provided upfront.
Unlike many firms, we provide a Fixed Legal Fee guarantee and No Completion, No Fee protection, ensuring you know exactly what you'll pay with no hidden surprises.
Do I need to visit your offices for Cardiff conveyancing?
No, our online service means everything can be handled remotely. Our solicitors have extensive Welsh experience and can manage your transaction efficiently without face-to-face meetings.
