Conveyancing in Leicester

What is involved in conveyancing in Leicester?

Conveyancing is the term legal professionals use to describe the process of buying and selling property and land. This involves all the essential paperwork and legal formalities to change ownership. If you're a current homeowner looking to remortgage or interested in a transfer of equity, you will also need to engage a conveyancing solicitor in Leicester. When you instruct a solicitor through Homeward Legal, they begin the process by initiating property searches, negotiating on the price, exchanging contracts and transferring the funds on completion day. We work with experienced property law firms to deliver conveyancing in Leicester - find out more about the conveyancing services we offer here.

How do I get a quote for Leicester conveyancing?

You can get a quote for Leicester in minutes by using our online quote builder simply by providing some basic information about you and the property involved. You can also call our team on - we're open seven days for your convenience and always ready to call you back at a time that suits.

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

Our strong focus on customer service and competitive pricing makes Homeward Legal the ideal choice for conveyancing in Leicester. We also:

• 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 Leicester 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 Leicester cost?

Your final bill for conveyancing in Leicester will depend on a number of factors, such as the value of the property. The total cost will include solicitors' fees, surveyor costs and Stamp Duty Land Tax** when buying, Land Registry fees, searches and bank transfer fees. Our guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020 gives you a better idea of the costs involved in conveyancing for a Leicester property.

**In July 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a stamp duty holiday on certain properties until March 31, 2021.

What is the average cost of a home in Leicester?

According to 2020 figures from Land Registry, the average house price in Leicester is £177,934. The average detached property will sell for £314,336, while you can expect to pay £201,109 for a semi-detached home, £157,753 for a terraced and £127,918 for a flat or maisonette.

What will my council tax cost in Leicester?

Leicester City Council is the governing local authority and sets the council tax rates for the city with all residential property placed into one of eight bands. How much you pay will depend on two factors: how many people live in your property and their financial circumstances, and the property's valuation. Find out more from the council website.

The current bands are:

Are Leicester's schools high performing?

Leicester has 212 schools and colleges within the city boundaries, with 18 ranked as outstanding in the most recent Ofsted inspections. The city also has three universities - the University of Leicester, De Montford University and Loughborough University - and five further education colleges. Find out more about education options in Leicester.

Can I get superfast broadband in Leicester?

Many of us are now working from home, so it's good to know the majority of Leicester benefits from superfast broadband speeds. Check out here how your new area performs.

Will I need a chancel liability search when I move in Leicester?

Chancel repairs are a historic liability going back to the time of Henry VIII. You can find out more about exactly what's involved in our detailed guide. Any property within the boundary of a historic Church of England parish could be liable for repairs to that church's chancel or altar - in effect, for repairs to the building itself. To protect your purchase, ask your conveyancing solicitor to order a chancel liability search. Your Leicester conveyancing solicitor can also advise on whether you should take out indemnity insurance to protect you against repair costs. Our expert team will guide you through what's required.

Are there any designated conservation areas in Leicester?

A conservation area is one with a special architectural or historic quality. Strict rules apply to how a property looks and is cared for in these zones. In Leicester, there are currently 24 conservation areas, including the former villages of Evington and Humberstone, the Edwardian High Street and the suburb of Stoneygate. Read more here about Leicester's conservation areas and rules. When you're buying in a conservation area, a Leicester conveyancing solicitor will carry out a local authority search that will reveal any planning permissions or changes. Where alterations without the required permission have been made to the property you're buying - for example, replacement windows or doors - your solicitor will advise on your options. These can include indemnity insurance or obtaining retrospective planning approval from the local authority.

I need a conveyancing solicitor for buying a property auction in Leicester - can you help?

Many of the property law firms on Homeward Legal's highly vetted panel regularly carry out the conveyancing required for buying a property at auction. Our solicitors have helped process purchases at the likes of Acuitus, Allsop (commercial and residential), Auction House London, Award Property, Barnett Ross, Baxtons, Phillip Arnold Auctions, Countrywide Property Auctions and Drivers Norris. Savvy buyers know it's best to instruct their chosen firm as early as possible so they can investigate the lot well in advance of auction day. Then, post-auction day, your Leicester conveyancing solicitor can complete the legal work and ensure the purchase is done in the short timeframe required by the conditions of sale. For more information on auction property conveyancing, check out our comprehensive guide.

Are there contaminated land risks in Leicester?

Former industrial sites, such as factories, mines, steelworks and landfills, can be designated as contaminated land. Substances found here can cause significant harm or pollution. In Leicester, former sand or clay quarries may pose a particular problem. To ensure you are fully informed of the type of land around the property you're buying, your conveyancing solicitor in Leicester will commission an environmental search.

What are transport links like around Leicester?

Leicester has excellent local and national transport links. The rail network connects the city to nearby Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham and other towns with a direct, regular service to London St Pancras. The journey time to the capital is just over an hour.

While Leicester is not on the direct high-speed rail link (HS2) from London to the north, the city will benefit from improved services via the planned east Midlands hub at Toton.

For drivers, the nearby M1 offers a direct route north to Leeds and Sheffield and south to London, linking also to other main road hubs including the M40, M6 and A1.

The nearest airport is East Midlands, a 30-minute drive from Leicester, which offers national and international flights.