Conveyancing in Dorset

What does conveyancing in Dorset 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 Dorset, 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 Dorset. Find out more about the conveyancing services Homeward Legal offers here.

How do I get a quote conveyancing in Dorset?

Use our online quote builder to get a quote for conveyancing in Dorset 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 Dorset conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal?

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

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Dorset 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 but always explain what's going on 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, and with hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews, our customer satisfaction is high.

*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 Dorset cost?

There is no one-price-fits-all when it comes to conveyancing in Dorset. Each transaction is unique, and the final bill will depend on several factors, such as the value of the property involved. A Dorset 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 Dorset, 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 Dorset's best home-mover destinations?

A home in glamorous Sandbanks, often referred to as Dorset's millionaire row, may be beyond most home buyers. However, Dorset has lots of locations with very disparate appeal and price tags to attract movers.

The seaside resorts of Bournemouth and Poole will attract those who want the buzz of urban living. There are charms to be found in the county town of Dorchester, in historic Lyme Regis and in the myriad of quaint villages dotted around. This is, of course, a county where 40 percent of the landscape has been designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty.

How much does an average property cost in Dorset?

Some areas of Dorset will require deeper pockets for a property purchase than others. See Sandbanks as an example. However, this is a county that still has affordable locations. According to the most recent data on sold property prices from the Land Registry, the average property in Dorset will cost £290,161.

Is conveyancing in Dorset slower when buying a leasehold property?

With around four million leasehold properties across England and Wales, this popular property tenure can bring an added complication to conveyancing in Dorset. In leasehold, a homeowner only owns the property itself but not the land on which it stands. Instead this land is leased for a specific period, often decades. When selling, 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 Dorset for leasehold, a solicitor will make enquiries about the lease. When this information is delayed, it can slow up the transaction. Find out more in our detailed guide to buying leasehold.

Which council has control of schooling in Dorset?

From 2019, there are two unitary authorities covering Dorset: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council. Each is responsible for providing education in their area. Along with state schools from nursery to sixth-form, Dorset also has a large selection of independent, academy and church schools to choose from. Check out the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school in the government's school comparison website.

Is there an increased flood risk for property in Dorset?

No area of England has escaped recent heavy rainfall and storms that have caused flash floods and other issues around water. Wherever you are buying, it makes sense to ask your Dorset conveyancing solicitor to ask for a flood-risk search. Check out the useful resources at the Environment Agency's guide to flood risk across England.

What searches do I need for Dorset conveyancing?

Your conveyancing solicitor for a Dorset 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 Dorset has many conservation areas, including Bere Regis and Swanage, 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, often reclaimed brownfield sites now used for new developments. Ask your Dorset conveyancing solicitor about a chancel repair liability search, which covers the historic charge dating back to the creation of the Church of England. Our detailed guide tell you more.

What are transport links like in Dorset?

Dorset has 23 stations on the national rail network, with Great Western Railway and South Western Railway providing services to and from the county from London and Southampton for onward journeys to the likes of Exeter and Bristol. For a more relaxed train journey, the Swanage Railway offers steam and diesel trains from Corfe Castle to Swanage.

The ferry port at Poole offers boat trips and tours along the coast as well as scheduled ferries to the Channel Islands and France.

The main roads through Dorset are the A31, connecting to the M27 to the east, and the A35 towards Dorchester and Devon. Bournemouth Airport offers both scheduled and chartered flights nationally and internationally. Dorset County Council offers more information on all public transport locally.