Conveyancing in Cambridgeshire

What does conveyancing in Cambridgeshire involve?

Conveyancing is the term used for the process of buying and selling property., including all the paperwork and legal formalities for buying, selling, remortgaging and transferring equity. When you instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Cambridgeshire, they will start the process, including requesting searches on the property for buyers, negotiating the price with the other party's solicitor, exchanging contracts and transferring funds. Homeward Legal works with fully qualified solicitors for all conveyancing in Cambridgeshire. Find out more about the conveyancing services Homeward Legal offers here.

How do I get a quote conveyancing in Cambridgeshire?

Head to our online quote builder and you will have a quote for conveyancing in Cambridgeshire on screen in minutes. All we need is some information about your transaction, about you and the property. Our team are also available seven days a week on . Or, if you prefer, you can ask for a callback at a convenient time.

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

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

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Cambridgeshire will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• We only work with conveyancing solicitors who are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
• We never use complicated or unnecessary jargon. We always explain the conveyancing process in plain English.
• Our no-completion protection offer ensures you do not lose out if your transaction fails to complete for any reason.
• We always put the customer first. The hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews show how high our customer satisfaction is.

*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 Cambridgeshire cost?

There is no simple answer to how much conveyancing in Cambridgeshire will cost. As each transaction is unique, the final bill will depend on several factors, such as the value of the property involved. A conveyancing transaction will include solicitors' and Land Registry fees and costs for a surveyor and Stamp Duty Land Tax*** for a buyer. The final bill will also include fees for searches and bank transfers. For an idea of conveyancing costs in Cambridgeshire, our guide to average conveyancing fees has all you need.

***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 Cambridgeshire's best home-mover destinations?

The city of Cambridge is, naturally, the biggest draw for home buyers looking to move to Cambridgeshire. The university has its own appeal, but the city is also the location of the world-leading research hospitals at Addenbrooke and Papworth, while the tech industry is boosted by its connections to all three.

Huntingdon, just north of Cambridge, is a sought-after location, thanks to the tech industry embedded there.

The mediaeval cathedral cities of Ely, to the east, and Peterborough, to the north, each have their own appeal. Peterborough benefits from fast rail connections to London and is one of the most affordable part of the county.

Beyond the urban landscape, Cambridgeshire's Fens are world-renowned, and many villages here still have the feel of the rural idyll, including the charming market town of St Ives and the pretty Shelfords.

How much does an average property cost in Cambridgeshire?

Deep pockets may be required for some parts of Cambridgeshire, but there are still affordable spots to seek out in this beautiful county. Cambridge has the county's most expensive properties - according to the most recent Land Registry data, the average property here sells for £450,823, compared to a county average of £296,017. You can find out all the data on sold property prices for Cambridgeshire and each of its cities and towns at the Land Registry.

Is conveyancing in Cambridgeshire slower when buying a leasehold property?

With around four million leasehold properties across England and Wales, this popular property tenure does bring an added complication to conveyancing in Cambridgeshire. Effectively a leaseholder only owns the property itself but not the land on which it stands. Instead this land is leased for a specific period. That means when buying, the buyer must be certain of their legal rights and of how long they may be entitled to live in their new home. When instructed for conveyancing in Cambridgeshire for leasehold, a solicitor will make enquiries about the leasehold from the freeholder (landowner). The transaction cannot complete without this information, which is often delayed and can hold up a sale. Read more in our detailed guide to buying leasehold.

Which council has control of schooling in Cambridgeshire?

Two local authorities provide education services in Cambridgeshire. They are Cambridgeshire County Council and Peterborough City Council, and each provides state nursery, primary and secondary education along with further education options. You can use the government's school comparison website to find out the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school, state or private.

Is there an increased flood risk for property in Cambridgeshire?

Parts of Cambridgeshire, such as the Fens, may be at increased risk of flooding because this is reclaimed land below sea level. However, heavier rainfall and storms in recent years have made many areas that were never previously a flood risk more susceptible to water damage. That means you should, wherever you are buying, ensure your Cambridgeshire conveyancing solicitor asks for a flood-risk search. The Environment Agency's guide to flood risk across England is a useful resource, too.

What searches do I need for Cambridgeshire conveyancing?

Your conveyancing solicitor for a Cambridgeshire property purchase will explain the essential searches required to complete your transaction. Our informative guide to all searches explains what is needed for conveyancing. Some of the most common ones are a local authority search that details planning consents and information about proposed roads or developments. As Cambridgeshire has many conservation areas in the city of Cambridge and in the cathedral cities of Ely and Peterborough among others, a local authority search is also crucial to ensure no planning rules have been breached in your potential property purchase. An environmental search will reveal any concerns around contaminated land, usually former industrial land or reclaimed brownfield sites that are now used for new developments. Ask your Cambridgeshire conveyancing solicitor about a chancel repair liability, a historic charge dating back to the creation of the Church of England. Our detailed guide tell you more.

Is Cambridgeshire good for commuters?

Its excellent road and rail links have put Cambridgeshire firmly on the commuter map in recent times. The East Coast Main Line ensures fast services to London King's Cross from both Cambridge and Peterborough with local rail connections elsewhere in the county.

The M11 offers a dual carriageway connection to London, with the recent 1.5 billion A14 upgrade improving road links north to Huntingdon and connecting to the A1(M) to Peterborough and beyond.

Stansted Airport is 31 miles south of Cambridge and offers international flights.