Cornwall offers a great selection of homes for the discerning home-buyer, and the market is one of the strongest in the country if you are looking to sell. Probably best-known to different generations for the BBC drama Poldark, you can find what you're looking for in Cornwall, whether it's buying a detached property in the county's only city, Truro, or perhaps it's a lease on a flat in the holiday destination of St. Ives, or you simply want to remortgage a bungalow in St. Just. Whatever you are needing to do, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancers are waiting to talk to you and help you through the legal process.
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 Cornwall
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.
Excellent service
There is a personal touch and i could ask as many questions as I liked. Josh was very patient and explained everything very well. The service was excellent
Current market trends in Cornwall
You've decided that you want to find a home in the varied housing market that the county of Cornwall offers, and no doubt you'll be interested in finding out what the area you've chosen might offer and the details that might affect your decision to go ahead with the purchase. So, if you are looking at a small village like Mullion on the picturesque and rugged Lizard Peninsular, the busy port of Fowey or near to the commercial areas of Penzance, then the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal has the experience and knowledge to help you.
- Average property price: £343,000 (all property types)
- Most active areas: Truro, Falmouth, St Ives, and Penzance
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price change: -3.0% year-on-year
Sources: Rightmove, Zoopla, Land Registry, Homeward Legal internal data
updated may 2025
Essential local searches for Cornwall properties
Purchasing property in Cornwall requires specialised searches due to the county's unique geological and environmental characteristics, extensive mining heritage, and coastal exposure. Our experienced conveyancers conduct thorough investigations covering:
Local authority searches
Cornwall Council handles planning applications, building control, and local land charges across the unitary authority, with policies covering everything from rural agricultural conversions to coastal development restrictions. These searches reveal planning permissions, conservation area controls, listed building restrictions, and any development constraints affecting your property.
Learn more about local authority search >
Mining and subsidence searches
Critical for Cornwall properties due to the county's extensive mining heritage, with over 16,000 mine shafts and thousands of miles of historic tunnels across the region. Specialist tin and metalliferous mining searches assess risks from historic copper, tin, lead, and china clay extraction, including potential subsidence from old workings and mundic concrete issues.
Learn more about coal mining searches >
Environmental searches
Essential in Cornwall due to contamination risks from the county's industrial heritage including historic mining, smelting, and processing activities. These searches identify soil and groundwater contamination from former tin works, copper smelters, and china clay processing sites that could affect your property's safety and development potential.
Learn more about environmental search >
Flood risk and coastal erosion searches
Essential for Cornwall's extensive coastline and areas like Looe, described as "the most frequently flooded town in the UK". Cornwall Council's flood risk management strategy addresses both river flooding and coastal erosion, with major defense schemes protecting key communities across the peninsula.
Learn more about water and drainage search >
Heritage and conservation considerations
Cornwall has over 12,490 listed buildings with the greatest concentration in the northeast of the county, requiring careful assessment of any development restrictions, conservation area controls, and listed building consent requirements that may affect your property plans.
Location resources for Cornwall property transactions
Online tools for researching Cornwall properties, planning history, and local considerations.
Cornwall Council planning database - Search planning applications and decisions across Cornwall
Land Registry price paid data for Cornwall - Search actual property sale prices across Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
Environment Agency flood risk maps - Check coastal and river flood risk for Cornwall properties
Historic England listed buildings register - Search listed building status for Cornwall's historic properties
Cornwall Council Strategic Flood Risk Assessment - Detailed coastal erosion and flood risk analysis for Cornwall
Our conveyancing services in Cornwall
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Bridgend
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
Cornwall area property guide
Understanding Cornwall's diverse neighborhoods
Launceston
Launceston is one of Cornwall's oldest market towns and was originally the county's capital. With its old buildings and picturesque spots, your appointed Homeward Legal conveyancing solicitor will fully examine how any of the listed status and conservation area requirements might affect the property as part of their searches, as well as advising on the need for a Coal- and Tin-Mining Report.
Marazion
Marazion is probably most associated with the stunning views across the bay, and particularly with St. Michael's Mount rising majestically upon the rock in the sea. It's a popular tourist spot and offers sandy beaches, and places to eat, drink and relax. With its location on the coast, our conveyancing solicitors have a great deal of experience in identifying any particular historical and current problems with flooding.
Truro
Truro is inland and it is one of Cornwall's hubs for commercial and leisure activities, with a mixture of the older and newer properties, and is well-known for its gothic architecture and its paved roads. With the bustling nature of the city and being a business hub, Truro will be prioritised for infrastructure projects to alleviate the pressure on its road and rail systems, so your conveyancing solicitor at Homeward Legal will be well-versed in identifying current and future projects that might impact your planned purchase.
Did you know?
Cornwall, famous for its historical tin-mining and being home to the romantic notion of swashbuckling pirates, boasts the most westerly point and most southerly point in mainland England as well as being the county with the longest coastline beating second-place Essex by 80km. Charity bike rides often start at Land's End and finish at Scotland's most northerly mainland town, John O'Groats.
International Talk Like a Pirate Day occurs each year on 19 September, and suggests that you adopt a stereotypical West Country accent. The idea for it was started by an American who was probably inspired by the films of Robert Newton who greatly exaggerated the vowel sounds, which have then become associated with pirates ever since.
Start your Cornwall conveyancing journey today
Get expert Cornwall conveyancing from solicitors who understand mining heritage risks, coastal flood considerations, and listed building requirements across the duchy.
Call now for your free quote - we know Cornwall's unique property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in Cornwall
What makes conveyancing in Cornwall different from other areas?
Cornwall presents unique challenges due to its extensive coastline, rich mining heritage, and diverse geography spanning coastal, rural, and heritage areas.
Our conveyancers have specific knowledge of coastal erosion risks, historic mining activity, flood vulnerabilities, and the complexities of planning restrictions in protected areas and World Heritage sites.
How long does conveyancing take in Cornwall?
While the average transaction takes 8-12 weeks, timeframes can vary significantly based on property type and location.
Coastal properties may require additional flood and erosion assessments, while properties in former mining areas need specialist mining searches. Historic buildings in conservation areas or the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site often require heritage surveys.
Are there mining risks or coastal erosion concerns I should know about?
Cornwall's 4,000-year mining heritage means most areas require mining searches to identify potential subsidence risks, underground workings, and mine water flooding. Additionally, coastal properties face erosion risks with official projections showing sea level rises of 1.5 metres over the next 80-100 years.
Our conveyancers conduct thorough mining searches, coastal vulnerability assessments, and environmental searches to identify contamination from historic mining activities and advise on appropriate risk mitigation measures.
How much does conveyancing cost in Cornwall?
Our conveyancing legal fees in Cornwall 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. Additional specialist searches (mining, coastal, environmental) are quoted separately as required.
Do I need to visit your offices for Cornwall conveyancing?
No, our modern online conveyancing service means the entire process can be managed remotely.
While we don't have physical offices in Cornwall, our solicitors have extensive experience with the local property market, Cornwall Council requirements, and regional challenges including mining heritage and coastal risks, handling your transaction efficiently from start to finish.
Are there special searches required for Cornwall properties?
Yes, Cornwall often requires additional specialist searches beyond standard conveyancing due to its unique geography and history.
These include mining searches for subsidence and underground workings, coastal erosion assessments for seaside properties, and environmental searches for contamination from historic industrial activities. Flood risk reports are also important due to coastal location and potential mine water issues during heavy rainfall.
What planning restrictions apply in Cornwall?
Cornwall has extensive planning restrictions due to its natural beauty and heritage status, including protected landscapes covering significant portions of the county, numerous conservation areas with strict development controls, and World Heritage Site designation.
Our conveyancers identify any restrictions affecting your property, check Coastal Change Management Area policies, and advise on compliance with planning requirements and any limitations on future development.
