Conveyancing in East Sussex

What does conveyancing in East Sussex involve?

When you buy, sell, remortgage or transfer equity from a property, conveyancing is the term used for the paperwork and legal formalities that are part of the process. For example, if you are buying a home in East Sussex, a conveyancing solicitor will request searches, negotiate the price, exchange contracts and transfer the funds on completion day. Our East Sussex conveyancing solicitors take care of all the legal work on your behalf. There's more information on Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in East Sussex?

Our online quote builder will give you a quote for conveyancing in East Sussex in minutes. Simply choose the transaction you need and enter a few details about you and the property. If you want to talk through the quote, you can arrange a callback at a time that's convenient to you. Or call our team direct on . We're open seven days.

Why should I choose an East Sussex conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal?

First-class customer service and competitive prices are two excellent reasons to choose Homeward Legal for your East Sussex conveyancing. Here are some other good reasons:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in East Sussex will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• Our offer of no-completion protection ensures you are not out of pocket if your move fails to complete for any reason.

• We only work with fully qualified professionals regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• We never use unnecessary legal jargon and explain the conveyancing process in plain English.
• Check out the hundreds of positive reviews Homeward Legal has received on Trustpilot, which show the high customer satisfaction we deliver.

*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 East Sussex cost?

Each conveyancing transaction is unique, so the final cost will depend on such factors as the value of the property and whether it is freehold or leasehold. An East Sussex conveyancing bill for a property purchase will include solicitors' fees, surveyor costs, Stamp Duty Land Tax***, Land Registry fees, searches and bank transfer charges. Check out our guide to average conveyancing fees to gauge the costs involved in conveyancing for an East Sussex sale or purchase.

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.

What are the best home-mover destinations in East Sussex?

Brighton and Hove are historically part of East Sussex, though “London by the Sea” is now a unitary authority apart from the rest of the county. Without a doubt, however, Brighton is one of the jewels in the East Sussex crown, a vibrant and diverse city that wears its flamboyant crown well.

The biggest towns in East Sussex are Tunbridge Wells - also the closest to London - Hastings, Eastbourne and Lewes. Between all of these is a collection of delightful locations, including Battle and Rye, St Leonards-on-Sea and Ditchling.

Crowborough is a must for those who want to rub shoulders with A-list celebrities.

How much does an average property cost in East Sussex?

Its popularity and beauty ensures that property prices are high across the whole of East Sussex. For example, the average property in Brighton and Hove will set you back £372,694 in 2020, with Tunbridge Wells property fetching more on average, at £375,188. In the Wealden District Council area, which includes Crowborough, the average sold price is £338,665. Check out the Land Registry data on sold house prices across England where you can find out average property prices for your East Sussex destination.

Is conveyancing in East Sussex slower when buying a leasehold property?

Leasehold and freehold are types of property tenure in England and Wales. There are around four million leasehold properties, which means a property owner only leases the land on which their home or flat is located for a specific period. This is the lease. Buying a leasehold property is not a difficult process. However, your East Sussex conveyancing solicitor must make specific enquiries from the freeholder (landowner) relating to the leasehold. Often the response to these enquiries can take time, which may slow down the transaction. To ensure your home buy goes without a hitch, your conveyancing solicitor in East Sussex will get to work immediately on ensuring all paperwork is in place. Our informative guide to buying leasehold will tell you all you need to know.

Which council has control of schooling in East Sussex?

You can find out about all state-funded schools in the county from East Sussex County Council and from Brighton & Hove City Council. There are many independent, academy and religious schools in the county, too. Find out the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school in East Sussex on the government's schools comparison website.

Is there an increased flood risk in East Sussex?

Many areas of England have seen a rise in flood events in recent years with heavy rainfall and storms causing floods where this has not been an issue beforehand. These unexpected events are, unfortunately, likely to become more prevalent. Anyone buying property should ask their East Sussex conveyancing solicitor to instruct a flood-risk search, which will reveal any potential flood threat. Another helpful resource for buyers is the Environment Agency's own guide to flood risk.

What searches do I need for East Sussex conveyancing?

Your East Sussex conveyancing solicitor will commission a series of searches required to complete your transaction. Find out more in our informative guide to all searches needed for conveyancing. In brief, a local authority search will detail planning consents and information about proposed roads or developments. This is also a helpful search when buying property in a conservation area where special planning rules apply. Conservation areas in East Sussex include Hailsham, Battle and Rye. An environmental search will reveal any potential issues around contaminated land, such as former industrial sites or landfill. Chancel repair liability is an important search in East Sussex conveyancing. This historic liability for repairs to the local Church of England is rare, but property buyers should be aware of any potential risk. Find out more in our detailed guide.

Is East Sussex good for commuters?

The M23/A23 is the main artery south from London to Brighton with connecting routes across East Sussex and the High Weald, including the A27 and A26.

The rail network is extensive with Southern Rail and South Eastern Railway connecting East Sussex and Brighton and Hove with London and Ashford International in Kent for Eurostar services.

Gatwick Airport is conveniently located just over the county border in West Sussex. East Sussex County Council has all the information you'll need on public transport locally.