Conveyancing in Bedfordshire

What does conveyancing in Bedfordshire involve?

Conveyancing is the term used to describe all the paperwork and formalities that are part of the moving process. So, when buying, selling, remortgaging or transferring equity from a property in Bedfordshire, a conveyancing solicitor will take care of all the legal legwork for you. This will include requesting searches, negotiating with the other party on price, drawing up and exchanging contracts and much more. We have more information on the full extent of Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in Bedfordshire?

Getting a quote for conveyancing in Bedfordshire is simple and only takes a few minutes. Head to our online quote builder, select your transaction of choice and enter a few details about yourself as well as the property. You'll get an instant quote on your screen and confirmation of your quote via email. You can also call Homeward Legal on seven days a week to get a quote in minutes and even arrange a callback at a time that's convenient to you.

Why should I choose a Bedfordshire conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal?

Whether you're buying or selling in Bedfordshire, conveyancing can feel like a headache. That's why we're here to guide you through the process and ensure your move runs as smoothly as possible. Here is why you can depend on us:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Bedfordshire will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• Should your move fall through, there'll be no legal fees to pay thanks to our no-completion protection.

• All of the fully qualified professionals we deal with are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• We'll explain everything in plain English with no jargon, making sure each part of the conveyancing process is easy to understand.
• We're the proud recipients of hundreds of positive reviews on Trustpilot - a sure sign of just how highly our customers value what we do for them.

*Your quote from Homeward Legal will cover common conveyancing costs in line with the information you've provided to us. Depending on the specific circumstances of your transaction, and after discussion with your solicitor, there may be additional non-standard fees which would be in addition to the fee quoted by Homeward Legal.

How much does conveyancing in Bedfordshire cost?

When it comes to conveyancing in Bedfordshire, the final fee will depend on factors such as the property's value, so it's difficult to offer a definitive answer to this question. Depending on the transaction you're looking to complete, your conveyancing costs could include searches, land registry fees, solicitors' fees, bank transfer fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax*** and more. Read more in our guide to average conveyancing fees.

***Please Note; the government temporarily increased the amount at which stamp duty is paid to £500,000, for property sales in England and Northern Ireland. This was due to end on 31 March, but it was announced in the 2021 Budget that it will now end on 30 June. After this date, the starting rate of stamp duty will be £250,000 until the end of September. Stamp duty will then return to the level of £125,000.

Where are Bedfordshire's best home-mover destinations?

The county's biggest towns are among the biggest draws for home movers and home buyers, including the county town of Bedford itself, Luton, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard.

In 2020, property market experts CBRE named Biggleswade as London's best-value commuter town. The Bedfordshire spot was ranked No.1 out of 150 towns rated for their travel time and cost. Other popular spots include Sandy, Sharnbrook, Bromham and Arslesey.

How much is a typical property in Bedfordshire?

House-hunters will certainly enjoy the wide variety of properties available in Bedfordshire.

These include detached Victorian homes, sought-after terraces and converted flats in the larger towns alongside 1920s and 1930s detached and semi-detached and a large selection of newbuild family homes and apartments.

In the smaller villages, Bedfordshire's history comes alive in thatched and timbered cottages, with more modern properties to check out, too.

The Land Registry compiles monthly data on sold property prices for every region in England. Its most recent collection for Central Bedfordshire, which includes Biggleswade, Sandy, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, shows that the average property cost £305,822 in 2020.

In Bedford, the average home sold for £288,515, with Luton's average property price reaching £228,712 in 2020.

Will buying a leasehold property slow down conveyancing in Bedfordshire?

There are two types of property tenure in England: freehold and leasehold. Leaseholders own a property only, not the land on which it stands. This remains in the ownership of the landowner or freeholder and the land leased to the property owner, usually on a long-term basis that can last for decades and even centuries. There are around four million leasehold properties in England and Wales, making this a popular tenure. However, buying a leasehold property can occasionally be a complicated process, especially if the lease needs to be renewed. For properties of this type in Bedfordshire, conveyancing may take longer. Find out more about what's involved in buying leasehold in our detailed guide. When you instruct a Bedfordshire conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal, one of their first questions will be about the property's tenure. Knowing they are dealing with a leasehold purchase means your solicitor can get to work quickly on gathering all the essential information needed to make the sale go without a hitch.

Which council is responsible for schools in Bedfordshire?

Bedfordshire County Council was abolished in 2009 and the county split into three unitary authorities: the District of Central Bedfordshire and the Boroughs of Bedford and Luton. Each has responsibility for state schooling within its boundaries and each differs in provision. For example, Luton Borough Council has retained a three-tier system of infant, junior and primary schools, while some of Bedford Borough Council's schools are part of a straightforward primary and secondary system and some similar to Luton's. The same mix of three-tier education for four-11-year-olds and two-tier primary and secondary applies across Central Bedfordshire. Parents looking to find out more information on how schools and colleges across Bedfordshire are rated by Ofsted can check out the current rankings.

In further education, Bedfordshire is the home of two universities: the University of Bedfordshire and Cranfield University.

Is there a flood risk to property in Bedfordshire?

Like all areas of the UK, parts of Bedfordshire are at risk of flooding, thanks to increased rainfall. In particular, areas around the River Ouse may be considered more of a flood risk. Regardless of where you are buying a property in Bedfordshire, it makes sense to ask your Bedfordshire conveyancing solicitor to instruct a flood-risk search, which will reveal any potential threat from all types of flooding. You can also consult the Environment Agency's own guide to flood risk across England.

What kind of searches will I need for conveyancing in Bedfordshire?

Your Bedfordshire conveyancing solicitor will talk you through which conveyancing searches are essential for the area. But there are some issues you might like to know about before you commit to buying a new place to live in the county. For example, chancel repair liability is a historic charge dating back to the foundation of the Church of England. As one of the most historic counties, Bedfordshire has many parishes dating back centuries, some of which might still exert the chancel repair liability. Read all about it in our informative guide. An environmental search will reveal if there is any issue around contaminated land. This is land previously used for industry, such as factories, quarries and landfill. Again, Bedfordshire's long history means the county has many conservation areas, which might have an impact on any property purchase because of stricter planning rules apply. A local authority search will reveal any prior or current planning consents around a property, ensuring no hitches when it comes to completing your conveyancing in Bedfordshire.

Is Bedfordshire a good location for commuters?

Whether your commute is taking you to London, Cambridge or somewhere closer like Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire has ideal transport connections. The M1 goes through the county, south to London and north to Leeds, with dual carriageways connecting the main county towns and surrounds.

Passengers on Thameslink can travel from Bedford to London St Pancras in less than an hour and onwards to Brighton. The journey from Bedford to Luton and to the airport takes around 20 minutes. West Midlands Trains covers the west of the county with Great Northern connecting Biggleswade and Sandy with London King's Cross and Peterborough.

Luton Airport is the main hub for easyJet and offers UK and international flights.