Conveyancing in Brighton

What is involved in conveyancing in Brighton?

Conveyancing is simply the process of buying and selling property. All the paperwork and legal formalities needed for buying, selling, remortgaging and transferring equity come under the term conveyancing. When you instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Brighton, they will request searches on the property for buyers, negotiate the price with the other party's solicitor, exchange contracts and transfer the funds.

Our Brighton conveyancing solicitors are all fully qualified professionals, and their job is to do all the legal legwork so that you don't have to worry.

Find out more about the conveyancing services Homeward Legal offers here.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in Brighton?

Our online quote builder gives you a quote in minutes for conveyancing in Brighton. All we need are some details about you and the property involved. Our team are also available on seven days a week. You can request a callback for a time that suits you.

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

With first-class customer service and the most competitive quotes, Homeward Legal is the best option for all conveyancing in Brighton. Here are some excellent reasons to choose Homeward Legal:

• We always keep things simple, explaining everything in plain English with no unnecessary legal jargon to complicate conveyancing.
• We protect your finances with our no-completion protection. This means you won't pay any legal fees if your transaction fails to complete for any reason.
• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Brighton will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• All the conveyancing solicitors on our nationwide panel are fully regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
• We put customers first every single time. And we've got hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews from satisfied customers who appreciate our care and service.

*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 Brighton cost?

Each conveyancing transaction is unique, meaning the total cost will depend on a number of factors, such as the value of the property. A Brighton conveyancing transaction will include several charges, including solicitor and Land Registry fees, costs for a surveyor and Stamp Duty Land Tax***. The final bill will also include fees for searches and bank transfers. For an idea of conveyancing costs in Brighton, check out our guide to average conveyancing fees.

The Stamp Duty Land Tax Holiday of up to £500,000 ended on the 30th June 2021. However, there is still temporary relief in place until 31st September 2021 up to £250,000, with the stamp duty rate ranging from 2% to 12% of the purchase price in England and Northern Ireland. After then, stamp duty will revert back to the normal threshold of £125,000.

How much does the average property cost in Brighton?

According to the most recent 2020 sold house price data from the Land Registry, the average price of a property in Brighton is £368,931. Detached homes sell for an average £685,708 and semi-detached for £447,706. Expect to pay an average £401,230 for a terraced property, while maisonettes and flats sell for an average £297,800.

What will my council tax add up to in Brighton?

Brighton & Hove City Council sets the council tax rates for the city. Which band your property falls into depends on its valuation. Check your band here.

For 2020-21, council tax rates in Brighton & Hove are:

Are broadband speeds good in Brighton?

A £1.6 million digital upgrade is on its way to the centre of Brighton, bringing with the next generation of mobile and wireless technology. The Brighton Research and Innovation Fibre Ring will include a three-mile ring of fibre-optic cables, part-funded by the city council, the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership and private businesses.

With two universities in the city centre, along with a diverse business base and residential properties, broadband is crucial to the city's success. Put your postcode into a broadband comparison site to find out the available local speeds.

How do schools rate in Brighton?

Brighton has 68 primary schools, 27 secondary and 16 sixth-form and further education colleges. Of those schools, nine are currently rated outstanding by Ofsted. You can check the rating of your local school on the government school performance comparison website.

There are two universities in Brighton: Brighton University and the University of Sussex.

Is contaminated land a problem when buying property in Brighton?

Former industrial sites, such as factories and quarries, landfill and brickworks, can often leave pollution and contamination behind, which must be removed before the land can be used again. By law, Brighton & Hove City Council must keep a register of any contaminated land that has been identified. To ensure your property purchase is not affected by contaminated land, your Brighton conveyancing solicitor will ask for an environmental search from the city council.

What is chancel repair liability and is it necessary when buying in Brighton?

Chancel repair liability is a charge that is often misunderstood. You can find out exactly what is involved in this historic liability in our informative guide. Chancel repair liability only affects land and property within certain Church of England parishes across England and Wales. To ensure you are fully informed of any potential future costs, your conveyancing solicitor in Brighton will commission a chancel liability search on the property you're buying.

Does Brighton have conservation areas that might affect a property buy?

Conservation areas are those considered to be of special architectural or historic interest that should be preserved or enhanced. These areas have much stricter planning controls to ensure the character and appearance of the area is protected. Brighton and Hove currently has 34 conservation areas, including Kemp Town, Regency Square and Patcham. To ensure any property you're buying in a conservation hasn't fallen foul of any planning rules, your Brighton conveyancing solicitor will ask for a local authority search.

Can you help with a conveyancing solicitor for a property auction buy in Brighton?

We can definitely help with all property auction conveyancing in Brighton. Read more about the best way to proceed in our comprehensive guide to conveyancing for auction property. The first piece of advice we offer is to instruct a Brighton conveyancing solicitor BEFORE you make a bid, giving your legal team time to do all the necessary paperwork within the auction deadline. We work with a highly vetted, nationwide panel of property law firms. All are experienced in completing auction purchases from the likes of Auction House London, Allsop (commercial and residential), Award Property, Barnett Ross, Baxtons, Acuitus, Phillip Arnold Auctions, Countrywide Property Auctions and Drivers & Norris.

How good are transport links in Brighton?

Brighton connects to London Victoria via Southern Railway and to Gatwick Airport via the Gatwick Express. The Southern Coastliner service offers trains west to Southampton and Portsmouth and east to Lewes and Eastbourne.

The main route into and out of Brighton is the M23 that connects to the M25 and onwards into central London, while the A27 dual carriageway goes west to Southampton and east to Polegate.

Brighton & Hove Buses covers all of the city and outer suburbs with a 24-hour service, while the network of cycle lanes offer a car-free experience.