Conveyancing in Portsmouth Q & As
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Conveyancing in Portsmouth Q & As

When buying or selling or a flat or house in Portsmouth, you must direct a lawyer to handle the conveyancing work on your behalf.

Homeward Legal’s solicitors have extensive experience of conveyancing in Portsmouth and around Hampshire. Our pragmatic and proactive methods in conveyancing mean we usually complete the transaction in the shortest possible time.

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

  • By road: Portsmouth is served by the M27, M275, A3 and A27.
  • By rail: The nearest train station is Portsmouth and Southsea.
  • By air: Southampton Airport is 16 miles from Portsmouth.
  • Hospital: St. Mary’s NHS Treatment Centre, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6DW.
  • Council: Portsmouth City Council.
  • Attractions: Spinnaker Tower, HMS Victory, Clarence Pier, D-Day Museum, Blue Reef Aquarium, and Mary Rose Museum.

How do I find the cheapest Portsmouth conveyancing quote?

Lack of clarity over this topic catches many property buyers and sellers out, and can leave them paying far more in conveyancing fees than they had budgeted for. Many law firms assert that they offer 'the cheapest conveyancing quotes'. Unfortunately, additional fees are often hiding in the solicitor's terms of engagement. Such additional charges need to be reasonable and clear. Your conveyancing quote should state all applicable disbursements. Homeward Legal offer quotes, not estimates, and clearly state all legal fees you pay for a standard conveyancing transaction and never hide any costs. Try our quote calculator, or call our team of conveyancing experts on 0800 038 6699 to discuss your needs.

What is gazumping? Am I likely to be affected on the purchase of my Portsmouth house?

The practice of rejecting an accepted offer on a property after a new buyer makes a more attractive offer is referred to as gazumping. Unfortunately, there is a risk of being gazumped in any transaction, because offers are not binding until the exchange of contracts has occurred. To reduce the chance of being gazumped, you should instruct your property solicitor early, and ideally before acceptance of an offer. Contact Homeward Legal on 0800 038 6699 to talk to our property experts.

What is the council tax on a Forties mid-terrace house in Portsmouth?

Routinely, the conveyancer's title report will include the Portsmouth council tax band ascribed to the house you want to buy. The latest tax charges for properties in Portsmouth are tabled online at the Portsmouth City Council website (see the public service information at the top for details). The band rates a property in Portsmouth for 2016/2017 are:

  • Band A - £960.88
  • Band B - £1,121.03
  • Band C - £1,281.18
  • Band D - £1,441.33
  • Band E - £1,761.63
  • Band F - £2,081.92
  • Band G - £2,402.21
  • Band H - £2,882.66
Retrieved 7 February 2017

Would ordering a Homebuyer Report be required when purchasing a property in Portsmouth?

Homeward Legal, backed by the recommendation of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, strongly advises that you arrange a property surveyor to check out the state and structure of your prospective new property. A wide range of concerns and defects can have a negative impact on a house (e.g. cavity wall tie failure, chimney defects or wood termite infestation). These will not be reported by a conveyancing solicitor.

Having heard that an estimated 2.8m people are at risk from surface flooding, we are anxious that conveyancing and environmental searches might not be thorough enough on our Portsmouth purchase?

Flood risk searches ordered by your conveyancer for your Portsmouth property should include a more in-depth Landmark flood search, if the level of risk or concern dictates it. If you remain unsure, you could speak to a local resident or contact a regional flood repair expert in Hampshire. For example:

  • W. G. Wilson & Sons Builders Ltd., 62 Tangier Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6JN (Tel: 023 9261 9813).

We plan to complete on our Portsmouth house in the next two or three weeks. What is the stamp duty tax calculation?

Stamp Duty is based on the property's value. For example, on a £888,000 home, as at 7 February 2017, stamp duty would be £34,400. You might to use the free online calculator at www.stampdutycalculator.org.uk. Or try calling our property experts at Homeward Legal for more advice and information.

How much can the conveyancing searches be?

With Homeward Legal's conveyancing service, you are charged at most £249 for the standard set of conveyancing searches. Such searches are disbursements that are charged 'at cost', and are clearly laid out in Homeward Legal’s quote.

Our mortgage lender will be the Portsmouth branch of the Woolwich Building Society. What specifics will I need to consider?

Some lenders have opted to reduce the size of their 'solicitor panel'. The result of this decision means the potential for greater conveyancing costs for buyers. Homeward Legal can act for the majority of lenders (approved by the Council of Mortgage Lenders), so that you will not be required to pay your lender's legal costs. Contact us on 0800 038 6699 for more information and to organize a fixed-fee conveyancing quote.