Conveyancing in Nottingham Q & As

Transport and public service information if you’re buying or selling residential property in Nottingham

• By road: Nottingham is served by the M1 and A52.
• By rail: The nearest train station is Nottingham.
• By air: Nottingham Airport is approximately 4 miles, East Midlands Airport 19, and Retford Gamston Airport 24 miles from Nottingham.
• Hospital: Nottingham City, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB.
• Council: Nottingham County Council (www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk).

I am looking for a cheap Nottingham solicitor to purchase a house. What should I check?

Many solicitors purport to offer what look like cheap conveyancing quotes. But additional costs are frequently hidden in the small print, which catch property buyers and sellers unaware because they fail to check the fine detail. Any charges which are listed in the terms of engagement ought to be fair, reasonable and transparent. The disbursements to be paid must also be stated clearly on your quote. Homeward Legal conveyancing solicitors provide such clearly defined quotes, backed up with a ‘No Move, No Fee’ guarantee.

Will the property lawyer’s report detail the applicable rates of council tax for a Band G house in Nottingham prior to contracts being exchanged?

Your appointed lawyer will consult with the Nottingham local council to ascertain the latest council tax rates, which will then be included in the conveyancer's title report. The correct rates for Nottingham are published at the Nottingham local authority site (see above in the public service information section). The different rates for 2016/2017 are:

• Band A - £1,180.72
• Band B - £1,377.51
• Band C - £1,574.29
• Band D - £1,771.08
• Band E - £2,164.65
• Band F - £2,558.22
• Band G - £2,951.80
• Band H - £3,542.16
• (Retrieved 3 February 2017)

Is a building survey advisable if we are purchasing a home in Nottingham?

Homeward Legal strongly recommends that you engage a surveyor to carry out an investigation at the property you are planning to buy. There can be a wide range of defects which have a negative impact on a property, which will not be addressed during a property valuation (e.g. dry rot, insect infestation, rising damp, etc.).

I want to complete on the conveyancing for a house in Nottingham inside 2 months. Are Homeward Legal especially fast solicitors?

Homeward Legal strongly recommends that you engage a surveyor to carry out an investigation at the property you are planning to buy. There can be a wide range of defects which have a negative impact on a property, which will not be addressed during a property valuation (e.g. dry rot, insect infestation, rising damp, etc.).

I want to complete on the conveyancing for a house in Nottingham inside 2 months. Are Homeward Legal especially fast solicitors?

Homeward Legal’s lawyers take a proactive approach to completing the necessary legal work. Homeward Legal’s conveyancers’ approach is different from other firms, in that we use cutting edge online systems. Crucially, we give you access to a panel of solicitors qualified to communicate end to end throughout the property chain of sellers and buyers.

How long can the conveyancing process take in Nottingham?

The amount of time needed to buy or sell property does necessarily vary. The duration of the conveyancing process is influenced by several considerations, which can include, for example, when a mortgage lender requires particular searches beyond the standard set. One month to twelve weeks is the industry-wide average, whereas the solicitors at Homeward Legal aim to complete the process within six weeks.

What actual property conveyancing searches should the property solicitor carry out on a Nottingham flat?

The standard conveyancing procedure will be to obtain the following searches:

• Local Authority
• Drainage Search (official or personal)
• Environment Search
• Gypsum Mining
• (and occasionally) specific local searches (e.g. a Local Land Charge Search)

We are buying a house on new-build ex-industrial-use land in Nottingham. Is antimony (Sb) soil contamination likely?

Extensive measures are taken across Nottinghamshire to find and clean up topsoil contamination. Land may also be contaminated by other sources, including polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) and water contaminants such as industrial chemicals. The searches carried out by your solicitor will identify any potential issues.

Is Homeward Legal able to act quickly on the conveyancing for auction properties in Nottingham?

Homeward Legal’s conveyancing team frequently work for buyers at auction, as well as preparing legal packs for vendors. Our specialist solicitors have in the past been instructed by numerous successful bidders at local auctions including Acuitus, Allsop (Commercial), Allsop (Residential), Auction House London. Award Property, Barnett Ross, Baxtons, Brendons Auctioneers, Countrywide Property Auctions, and Drivers Norris. Savvy buyers know to engage their conveyancing lawyer as early as possible for a detailed review of all the legal documents well before the day of the auction. After winning the bid, your lawyer will complete the legal work in the 4-week timeframe, as this is a legal requirement for auction sales.