Conveyancing in Plymouth

What does conveyancing in Plymouth involve?

Conveyancing is the term used to describe the process of buying and selling property, remortgaging and a transfer of equity from a property. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Plymouth, a conveyancing solicitor will carry out all the paperwork and legal formalities. This includes requesting searches, negotiating the price, exchanging contracts and transferring the necessary funds on completion day. All the solicitors we work with for Plymouth conveyancing are experienced and qualified professionals. Read more about Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in Plymouth?

Use our online quote builder to get an instant quote for conveyancing in Plymouth. Simply enter a few details about yourself and the property you intend to buy or sell, and you'll receive a quote in minutes. You can also talk to our team direct on or request a callback at a time that's most convenient to you.

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

Here are some of the best reasons to choose Homeward Legal for your conveyancing in Plymouth:

• We always use plain English to explain what's happening and don't complicate matters by using unnecessary legal jargon.
• Our offer of no-completion protection means there are no legal fees for you to pay if your transaction fails to complete for any reason.
• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Plymouth will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• We only work with conveyancing solicitors who are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
• Customers always come first. And hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews show the high levels of satisfaction for Homeward Legal customers.

*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 Plymouth cost?

The final price for a Plymouth conveyancing will depend on factors such as the value of the property involved. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Plymouth, your conveyancing is likely to include a number of charges, including solicitors' fees, Land Registry fees, surveyor costs and Stamp Duty Land Tax***. Other essential charges include searches and bank transfer fees. For more information about the costs involved in conveyancing in Plymouth, read our guide to average conveyancing fees.

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 average house prices like in Plymouth?

The most recent 2020 data from the Land Registry shows that the average price paid for a residential property in Plymouth is £175,390. A detached property will cost £317,011 on average with a semi-detached priced on average at £198,123. A terraced property in the city will fetch an average of £167,995 with flats and maisonettes selling for an average £114,069.

How much will council tax cost in Plymouth?

The City of Plymouth Council is the local authority responsibility for setting local  council tax rates. For council tax, all residential property is allocated into one of eight bands, which will depend on the property's valuation. Find out which band your property is in on the government website.

Within the City of Plymouth, the bands for 2020-21 are:

How fast is the broadband service in Plymouth?

Plymouth has superfast fibre broadband from BT, Virgin Media and Sky. You can check the local speeds available by putting your postcode into a broadband comparison site.

What's the Ofsted rating for Plymouth's schools?

There are 55 primary schools in Plymouth, with 18 secondary schools and 17 sixth-form and further education colleges. According to the latest Ofsted ratings, a total of 11 schools are rated outstanding. You can check your school's rating on the Ofsted website.

The University of Plymouth is based in the city and attracts more than 19,000 students every academic year.

Plymouth has a long and rich history - will conservation areas affect my property purchase?

Plymouth currently has 15 conservation areas, protected for their special historic or architectural interest. When you have a property in a conservation area, you generally need permission from the council before making any external or internal alterations, including replacement windows, installing satellite dishes and solar panels or adding a conservatory. To ensure any changes made to a property you're buying have the right planning consent, ask your Plymouth conveyancing solicitor to commission a local authority planning search. Your solicitor might advise you to take out indemnity insurance or apply for retrospective planning permission where necessary.

Should I ask about chancel liability when moving to Plymouth?

Chancel repair liability is an essential search in England and Wales. This is a historic legal right related to the Church of England, which might cost you in unexpected repairs to the local church's chancel or altar. Check out our full guide to chancel repair liability. A conveyancing solicitor for a Plymouth purchase will advise you on your options where such a liability still exists.

Is contaminated land a factor in Plymouth?

Plymouth's long maritime past means that industrial activity in the city has had a negative impact on land, leaving behind contaminated or polluted areas. The City of Plymouth Council keeps a register of all identified contaminated land, allowing your Plymouth conveyancing solicitor to request an environmental search that will reveal any risk to your property purchase.

Can I get the legal help needed to buy a property at auction in Plymouth?

Yes, you can instruct an experienced property law professional with one phone call. We work with a nationwide panel of property law firms who know exactly what's needed to complete the conveyancing needed for property auction purchases. Our partner firms work on property purchases from sales at Auction House London, Allsop (commercial and residential), Award Property, Barnett Ross, Baxtons, Acuitus, Phillip Arnold Auctions, Countrywide Property Auctions and Drivers & Norris. When you're buying at auction, it's best practice to instruct a Plymouth conveyancing solicitor before making a bid. That gives your solicitor time to examine the legal pack and ensure the sale is completed within the usual 28-day deadline.

How good are Plymouth's transport links?

Plymouth is linked to the UK's motorway network through the M5 - you can drive to London, traffic permitting, in around four hours.

Local bus services connect throughout the city and also link Plymouth to Exeter, Taunton, Bristol and Bristol Airport. The National Express coach is a cheaper alternative to rail.

Great Western Railway is the local service provider. Services to and from London take around three hours with services north to Manchester taking just over five hours.