Based in Berkshire, one of the home counties surrounding the capital of London, Reading is its county town and home to a thriving business community, especially in information technology, as well as hosting a university, which means that the options for buying and selling homes in the town are broad and varied.
So, if you are planning on buying a semi-detached home in Southcote, selling a terraced property in Emmercote, or simply looking to release equity in your property in Whitley, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancing solicitors are waiting to guide you through the legal process of your planned transaction.
We have a wealth of expertise and knowledge of Reading, its housing market, and how the purchase and sale of properties there are affected by the common - and the not-so-common - legal complexities, all of which we'll bring to bear on your transaction so that you can be assured of a top-quality conveyancing service for a value-for-money fee.
We're open 6 days a week for your convenience, so call us now on to get your free, no-obligation quote.
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Why choose Homeward Legal for your conveyancing in Reading
We've established an excellent reputation you can trust and helped over 34,000 customers in the past 15 years.
Our residential conveyancing solicitors are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
Fixed Legal Fee policy
No hidden costs - the legal fee you get quoted is definitive.
No-Completion, No-Fee policy
You won't pay any legal fees if your move falls through for any reason.
Search & survey protection
You won't pay for your next search and survey if your transaction falls through.
Complete support
Dedicated customer service from start to finish. We are open 6 days a week.
Local knowledge
No confusion with legal jargon - just plain and simple English.
Simple & straightforward
No confusion with legal jargon - just plain and simple English.
Excellent Service
I recently had the pleasure of interacting with Josh Thomas and I was thoroughly impressed by the level of professionalism, efficiency, and genuine care I received. From the moment I reached out, Josh was attentive, courteous, and eager to assist.
Excellent communication, prompt follow-ups, and a positive attitude throughout—this is the kind of service that builds trust and loyalty. Thank you for a great experience!
Current market trends in Reading
Reading's market is seeing a slight easing from its peak as affordability pressures bite, though the town's strong tech employment base, excellent rail links and position as a gateway between London and the South West continue to support underlying demand.
- Average property price: £347,000
- Most active areas: Reading town centre, Caversham, Tilehurst, Earley
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks
- Annual price growth: -1.3%
Sources: Rightmove, Zoopla, Land Registry, Homeward Legal internal data
Updated May 2026
Essential local searches for Reading properties
When buying property in Reading, specific local searches are important due to the town's position in the Thames Valley, major transport links, and significant business development. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
Reading Borough Council maintains the local land charges register and handles planning permissions, building regulations, conservation area controls, and development restrictions that might affect your property.
These searches reveal planning permissions, building regulations compliance, conservation area restrictions, and development plans including major town centre regeneration and significant business district developments.
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Important in Reading due to its industrial heritage, major transport corridors, and proximity to business parks with potential for historical contamination.
Environmental searches identify contamination risks from former industrial activities, air quality concerns from major transport routes, and ground stability issues. These are particularly relevant given Reading's development as a major business centre.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for Reading properties due to the River Thames, River Kennet, and their tributaries. Reading has experienced significant flooding events, with particular vulnerability in areas near the river confluence.
Our searches assess flood risk from the Thames and Kennet rivers, plus surface water flooding, particularly important for properties in river valley locations and areas with historical flood records.
Location resources for Reading property transactions
Online tools for researching Reading properties, planning history, and local considerations.
- Reading Borough Council Planning Portal - Search planning applications and building regulations in Reading
- Land Registry price paid data for Reading - Search property sale prices and ownership records
- Environment Agency flood risk maps - Check flood risk levels for properties near River Thames and River Kennet
- Crossrail network map - Transport connections to London and development impact
Our conveyancing services in Reading
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Reading
Legal fees starting from £564(inc. VAT)
- Reading Borough Council liaison - Comprehensive searches with Reading Borough Council's Thames Valley development and planning requirements
- Thames flood risk assessments - Essential flood investigations for properties near River Thames and Kennet confluence
- Planning permissions verification - Confirming development rights and planning restrictions for your Reading property
- Transport hub searches - Investigating Crossrail impact and major transport infrastructure developments affecting property values
Your Reading conveyancing solicitor handles Thames flood risks, Crossrail developments, and planning compliance.
Learn more about buying a property Or get an instant quote ->Selling a property in Reading
Legal fees starting from £552(inc. VAT)
- Property enquiry responses - Comprehensive answers to buyer solicitor questions about Thames location and transport developments
- Thames documentation - Flood certificates and river proximity assessments for buyer confidence
- Planning documentation - Providing development history and Thames Valley planning compliance for buyer enquiries
- Legal documentation - Comprehensive contract preparation and property information compilation for smooth Reading sales
Your Reading conveyancing solicitor manages Thames documentation, transport certificates, and planning requirements.
Learn more about selling a property Or get an instant quote ->Buying and selling a property in Reading
Legal fees starting from £1024(inc. VAT)
- Chain coordination - Managing your sale and purchase transactions with careful Reading market timing
- Reading Borough Council experience - Handling council requirements for Thames Valley planning permissions and transport compliance
- Thames flood documentation - Managing flood risk assessments and river proximity documentation where relevant
- Environmental search coordination - Managing contamination assessments and transport infrastructure impact studies
Your Reading conveyancing solicitor coordinates transactions with Thames Valley expertise and transport development knowledge.
Learn more about buying and selling a property Or get an instant quote ->Remortgaging in Reading
Legal fees starting from £283(inc. VAT)
- Legal documentation compilation - Gathering all required property certificates and legal papers for mortgage applications
- Property verification - Confirming existing certificates and legal papers meet new lender requirements
- Lender coordination - Efficient liaison between existing and new mortgage providers for settlement requirements
- Mortgage discharge preparation - Arranging settlement of existing mortgage and managing fund transfers
- Land Registry updates - Updating records with new mortgage details and finalising registration
- Legal completion - Finalising the remortgage process and ensuring smooth completion
Your Reading conveyancing solicitor handles lender coordination and legal documentation for seamless remortgage completion.
Learn more about remortgaging Or get an instant quote ->Transfer of equity in Reading
Legal fees starting from £312(inc. VAT)
- Property documentation compilation - Gathering all required certificates and legal papers for property transfers
- Family coordination - Managing sensitive transfers for divorce, inheritance, or family planning requirements
- Title verification - Confirming ownership rights and restrictions for smooth equity transfer completion
- Deed preparation - Preparing transfer deeds and legal documentation for ownership changes
- Stamp duty management - Calculating and arranging stamp duty payments where applicable
- Land Registry completion - Updating ownership records with new details and finalising registration
Your Reading conveyancing solicitor manages legal documentation requirements for efficient transfer completion.
Learn more about transfer of equity Or get an instant quote ->
Reading area property guide
Understanding Reading's diverse neighborhoods
Tilehurst
Tilehurst to the northern area of Reading has a long history that can be traced back to the thirteenth century, and it is home to several good schools. As with many locations near to London, Tilehurst grew with extra housing that was demanded after the Second World War. While this meant significant growth and building of semi-detached homes, parts of Tilehurst are under a conservation area, which means your conveyancing solicitor will perform searches to identify what restrictions and covenants are in place that will affect what you can do to your property.
Green Park
A suburb of Reading, the idea behind Green Park was primarily as a business park to house several firms moving there, but it has, as a result of that success, also become a sought-after location for buying property. Part built-up area and part rural lakeland, your conveyancing solicitor will be keen to identify the history of flooding in the area and particularly how that has impacted the property you want to buy. Depending on these results, they might also suggest taking out a more detailed Flood Report from an expert.
Norcot
The village of Norcot resides in a suburb of Reading and has a wide range of detached and semi-detached properties. While the local church, St. George's, is dated back to the 1880s to service the local barracks, it is unlikely that buying a property in Norcot will require you to pay chancel repair (parishioner payments for the upkeep of the church) but this is something that your conveyancing solicitor will verify as part of their searches, perhaps recommending a cheap indemnity insurance policy to cover yourself for the future.
Did you know?
For many a travelling veteran on the motorways and highways of Britain, there is a fond memory of breaking the journey by stopping off at the Little Chef. This chain of restaurants was designed to emulate the diners that are everywhere in the USA, and the very first Little Chef was installed in Reading in 1958, its location driven by the town was perceived to be “the gateway to the West Country”.
The University of Reading was originally founded in the 1800s as a college adjunct to the nearby Oxford University. Now a university in its own right that is regularly polled in the top 200 such educational establishments in the world, it can lay claim to appointing Britain's first female professor, when Edith Morley took up the professorship in English Language in 1908.
Start your Reading conveyancing journey today
Get expert Reading conveyancing from solicitors who understand Thames Valley business hub, commuter belt dynamics, and Berkshire's competitive property market.
Call now for your free quote - we know Reading's unique property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in Reading
What makes conveyancing in Reading different from other areas?
Reading's business hub status and London connections create dynamic market conditions. Our conveyancers understand high-value transactions, investment properties, and the planning complexities of commercial growth balanced with residential needs.
How long does conveyancing take in Reading?
Conveyancing in Reading typically takes 8-12 weeks. High-value properties and commercial conversions may need extra time, while conservation areas require heritage assessments.
How much does conveyancing cost in Reading?
Conveyancing costs in Reading start from £564 for standard purchases. We provide transparent pricing with our Fixed Legal Fee guarantee, clearly outlining any additional costs for Thames flood risk or transport infrastructure impact searches.
Do I need to visit your offices in Reading?
No office visits required. We handle everything online with full knowledge of Reading Borough Council procedures and requirements across all areas.
What should I know about investment properties in Reading?
Reading's strong rental market attracts investors. We understand buy-to-let requirements, commercial lending, and Reading Borough Council's selective licensing schemes for rental properties.
How do transport links affect Reading properties?
Excellent rail connections, including Crossrail, significantly impact values but may bring noise and development pressures. We assess transport-related restrictions and future development plans.
