Conveyancing in Merseyside

What does conveyancing on Merseyside involve?

Conveyancing is the term used to describe all the paperwork and formalities that are part of the moving process. So, when buying, selling, remortgaging or transferring equity from a property on Merseyside, a conveyancing solicitor will take care of all the legal legwork for you. This will include requesting searches, negotiating with the other party on price, drawing up and exchanging contracts and much more. We have more information on the full extent of Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing on Merseyside?

Our online quote builder gives you a quote for your transaction of choice in minutes. Simply enter a few crucial details about you and the property involved. We are also available seven days a week on . Why not arrange a callback at a time that's convenient to you?

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

Homeward Legal is here for you when you need conveyancing in Merseyside. Here is why you can depend on us:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Merseyside will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• Our offer of no-completion protection ensures you have no legal fees to pay 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 always use plain English with no jargon, so each part of the conveyancing process is easy to follow.
• We've received hundreds of positive reviews on Trustpilot, a sure sign of excellent customer satisfaction levels with Homeward Legal's 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 on Merseyside cost?

Each conveyancing transaction is unique, so there is no one-price-fits-all. Therefore, the final bill for conveyancing on Merseyside will depend on such factors as the property value and whether it is leasehold or freehold. For example, when buying, your Merseyside conveyancing costs will include searches, Land Registry fees, solicitors' fees, bank transfer fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax* and more. Read more in our guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020.

*In July 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a stamp duty holiday, which applies to properties up to a value of £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland until March 31, 2021.

Where are Merseyside's best home-mover destinations?

Liverpool is one of the UK's great cities, its history one of major industry, fantastic music and an unrivalled sporting passion. The ongoing impact of the city's reign as European Capital of Culture can be seen in the major regeneration of the centre and beyond, particularly the Liverpool Waters project where Everton FC intend to build their new stadium.

For passion for a different sport, inland is the town of St Helens, one of the great rugby league destinations. Close by is the market town of Newton-le-Willows.

Merseyside's attractive coastal towns include Crosby, Formby and Southport, offering seaside living with easy access to the city. Take a ferry across the Mersey to Wirral and you're spoiled for choice in West Kirby, Wallasey and Heswall.

How much is a typical property in Merseyside?

Property prices vary across Merseyside. According to recent data from the Land Registry, the average sold price of a property in Merseyside is £150,620. Dig a little deeper into each council area and you can see the variation: for example, in Wirral, the average sold property price is £160,845, while in Sefton - which includes Southport and Crosby - the average sold price is £167,713. In Liverpool, average property sells for £139,442.

Will buying a leasehold property slow down conveyancing in Merseyside?

With around four million leasehold properties in England and Wales, this type of property tenure is a popular one. In leasehold, a homeowner only owns the property while leasing the land on which it stands for a specific period from the freeholder or landowner Leasehold conveyancing can be complicated by two factors: the length of the lease and the speed of the response from the freeholder to enquiries from your conveyancing solicitor. When you instruct a Merseyside conveyancing solicitor for a leasehold property purchase, they will ask the freeholder for a leasehold information pack that details how long the lease has left to run, any management costs and other fees. Any delay in response will slow down your transaction. You can read more about what's involved in our detailed guide to buying leasehold.

Which council is responsible for schools in Merseyside?

There are five metropolitan boroughs in Merseyside: Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. Each is responsible for state education services within their area. Merseyside also has a selection of independent, academy and church schools. You can check the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school or college on the government's school comparison website.

Is there a flood risk to property in Merseyside?

Like all regions of England, Merseyside has not escaped flood events caused by adverse weather conditions in recent years. Its long coastline and major rivers also make this region one more likely to suffer again. To ensure you are fully informed of any potential problems, your Merseyside conveyancing solicitor will instruct a flood-risk search. Arm yourself with more information using the Environment Agency's guide to flood risk.

What kind of searches will I need for conveyancing in Merseyside?

Searches are a crucial part of conveyancing because they reveal vital information about both the property and the surrounding area. Your Merseyside conveyancing solicitor will outline what searches you need, but here are some of the most important:

• Local authority search: Provides information on planning and on conservation areas, important when buying in Merseyside because the whole of the city centre is a conservation area.
• Environmental search: Details contaminated land and pollution, particularly on former industrial sites and brownfield land development.
• Mining search: A crucial search for any Merseyside property purchase because of historic mining activity in the South Lancashire and North Wales coalfields, which will reveal the location of mine shafts and tunnels, along with current open cast mining in the area.
• Chancel repair liability search: Reveals if the property is responsible for this rare historic charge covering repairs to the local Church of England.

What are transport links like in Merseyside?

Merseyside has superb transport links, including motorways, an extensive rail network and wide public transport access. The M62 and M58 connect the region to the main north-south motorway artery of the M6, with A routes ensuring motorists across Merseyside are well served.

Rail providers include Merseyrail, Wirral Line, City Line, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales and Northern Rail. Mersey Travel has all the information you need on public transport.