East London serves as a great opportunity for the prospective buyer, or to make a sale in a varied housing market. Made particularly popular by the BBC soap opera, EastEnders, whether you are planning on buying a leasehold flat in Stoke Newington, buying a sharehold terraced house in Hackney or selling desirable detached home in Hoxton, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancers are waiting to help you through the process.
We will apply our experience and knowledge of East London and how the purchase and sale of properties are affected by common - and not so common - legal issues, so that you can be assured of a rated ‘Excellent' service at competitive and fixed legal fees.
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 East London
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.
Brilliant, quick and professional every time.
I've used Mark at Homeward Legal twice and both times he's been very knowledgeable, quick and easy to communicate with. Both conveyancers that I've used through homeward have been priced competitively and responsive - something I haven't always experienced with conveyancers! Thanks Mark for all the help
Current market trends in East London
Once you've decided to buy your next home in East London, you'll want to know everything you can about the area and the specifics that might affect your purchase. So, if you are considering the multicultural vibrancy of Whitechapel, the proximity of central London that Limehouse offers, or the bustling mini-metropolis of Canary Wharf, the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal fully understands your needs.
- Average property price: £544,000 (all property types)
- Most active areas: Tower Hamlets (£497,000 average), Hackney (£613,000 average)Stratford, and Canary Wharf
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price growth: Tower Hamlets +1.9%, Hackney +1.4% year-on-year
Sources: Rightmove, Zoopla, Land Registry, Homeward Legal internal data
updated may 2025
Essential local searches for East London properties
When buying property in East London, specific local searches are crucial due to the area's ongoing regeneration, significant industrial heritage, and diverse borough requirements. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
East London spans numerous boroughs including Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Waltham Forest, and Redbridge, each with different planning policies and active regeneration projects.
These searches reveal planning permissions, building regulations, development restrictions, and major infrastructure projects like the Silvertown Tunnel (opening April 2025) and ongoing developments in areas like Stratford's International Way (380 new homes completing 2025).
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Critical in East London due to its extensive industrial past, including former gasworks, manufacturing sites, and contaminated land from centuries of industry.
These searches identify contamination risks, air quality concerns, and ground stability issues, particularly important in areas undergoing regeneration like Canary Wharf and the former Olympic Park area.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for properties near the Thames, River Lea, and areas with complex drainage systems.
East London's mix of Victorian infrastructure and modern developments requires careful investigation of water supply, sewerage responsibilities, and flood risk assessments, especially in riverside areas like Wapping, Limehouse and the expanding Canary Wharf districts.
Learn more about water and drainage search >
Transport infrastructure searches
Important in East London due to established transport networks. The Elizabeth Line opened in May 2022, while future projects include planned Bakerloo line extensions and DLR extensions outlined in the London Growth Plan 2025.
These searches identify current and planned transport developments that could affect property values and access routes.
Location resources for East London property transactions
Online tools for researching East London properties, planning history, and local considerations
- Tower Hamlets planning portal - Search planning applications and decisions in Tower Hamlets
- Hackney planning applications search - View planning applications in Hackney Council areas
- Land Registry price paid data for East London boroughs - Search actual property sale prices across East London
- Environment Agency Thames and River Lea flood maps - Check flood risk for properties near Thames and River Lea
Our conveyancing services in East London
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in East London
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 East London.
Selling a property in East London
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 East London.
Buying and selling a property in East London
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 East London.
Remortgaging a property in East London
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 East London.
Transfer of equity in East London
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 East London.
East London area property guide
Understanding East London's diverse neighborhoods
Shoreditch
Shoreditch has a long history as part of London and is now a bright location with a variety of restaurants, cafés and bars, catering for all aspects of nightlife. Noise and traffic pollution are all considerations that the conveyancing team will assess as part of their role in getting you to the completion date as quickly as possible.
Spitalfields
The lively area around Spitalfields, the home to the famous historical market, is a multicultural society taking in the street art of Brick Lane and the thriving restaurant scene that caters especially for those who like curry. Your conveyancing solicitor at Homeward Legal will ensure that everything is known about the ancient underground tunnels throughout London and how that might affect the property.
Walthamstow
Walthamstow, a centre for art showcasing the new in neon and the older with the William Morris gallery, offers a great mix of the contemporary and heritage styles of property. Whether you are looking for a home that has sleek lines built from the latest construction materials, or would prefer something more traditional, our conveyancing solicitors have the knowledge and experience to help you.
Did you know?
East London was the location of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The opening ceremony celebrated everything that makes Britain the country that it is, including its prominence in all aspects of the arts, such as television and films.
East London is one of the most popular places for filming, appearing as it does in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, The Danish Girl, The World Is Not Enough, Peep Show, The Da Vinci Code, Sherlock and A Clockwork Orange to name but a few.
Buying a property here might afford you a front-row seat to the next blockbuster or you can play “spot the location” as you enjoy your new home in East London.
Start your East London conveyancing today
Get expert East London conveyancing from solicitors who understand regeneration projects, industrial heritage, and complex borough planning requirements.
Call now for your free quote - we know East London's unique property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in East London
What makes conveyancing in East London different from other areas?
East London presents unique challenges due to its ongoing regeneration, extensive industrial heritage, and diverse borough requirements. Our conveyancers have specific knowledge of multiple borough planning policies, contaminated land from former industrial sites, transport infrastructure developments, and the complexities of areas undergoing rapid transformation.
How long does conveyancing take in East London?
While the average transaction takes 8-12 weeks, timeframes can vary based on property type and location.
Properties on former industrial sites may require additional contamination searches, while new-build purchases in regeneration areas often progress more quickly with our specialised development team.
Are there contamination risks or planning restrictions I should know about?
East London's industrial heritage means environmental searches are particularly important to identify potential contamination from former gasworks, manufacturing sites, and industrial facilities. Additionally, active regeneration projects across boroughs like Tower Hamlets, Hackney, and Newham can affect planning permissions and development restrictions.
Our conveyancers conduct thorough searches and advise on compliance with both environmental and planning regulations.
How much does conveyancing cost in East London?
Our conveyancing legal fees in East London 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 East London conveyancing?
No, our modern online conveyancing service means the entire process can be managed remotely.
While we don't have physical offices in East London, our solicitors have extensive experience with the local property market and can handle your transaction efficiently from start to finish.
What should I know about buying property in East London's regeneration areas?
Many East London areas are undergoing significant regeneration, particularly around Stratford, Canary Wharf, and parts of Tower Hamlets. Our conveyancers stay updated on development plans, transport improvements, and planning policies that could affect property values.
We'll advise on any restrictions, planned infrastructure changes, and opportunities that regeneration might bring to your investment.
