The historic county of Kent attracts buyers seeking rural charm, coastal beauty, and excellent transport links to London, creating strong demand across this diverse "Garden of England" destination. Whether you're purchasing a period cottage in Canterbury's cathedral city, selling a coastal property in Dover with Channel views, or refinancing a family home in Maidstone to fund improvements, our experienced conveyancing team understands Kent's unique property landscape.
Our local knowledge of Kent's multiple district council requirements, conservation area regulations, and flood risk considerations ensures your transaction proceeds smoothly and efficiently, with transparent pricing and no hidden surprises.
We're available 6 days a week to support your Kent property journey - call to get a free no-obligation quote.
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Why choose Homeward Legal for your conveyancing in Kent
We've established an excellent reputation you can trust and helped over 30,000 customers in the past 13 years.
Our residential conveyancing solicitors are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
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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
Solicitors with offices across England and Wales.
Simple & straightforward
No confusion with legal jargon - just plain and simple English.
I'm so glad I picked Homeward Legal
I'm so glad I picked Homeward Legal. I thank Mark for his kindness and guidance and for helping me through a stressful time. Solicitor fees were also extremely good value for money.
Current market trends in Kent
Having decided to buy your next home in the Kent area, you'll want to know the details of anything that might impact your enjoyment of the purchase. So, whether it's the appeal of historic Canterbury with its World Heritage cathedral, the coastal lifestyle of Dover and Folkestone, or the commuter-friendly towns like Sevenoaks and Maidstone, you can be sure that the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal fully understands your needs.
- Average property price: £382,000 (county average)
- Most active areas: Canterbury, Maidstone, Ashford, Dover, Sevenoaks, and Tunbridge Wells
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price trends: Mixed performance across districts with some areas like Dover (+17.4%) and Canterbury (+10.6%) showing strong growth, while others like Medway (-4.8%) seeing price adjustments
Sources: ONS, Plumplot, Kent Property Market Report, Homeward Legal internal data
Updated June 2025
Essential local searches for Kent properties
When buying property in Kent, specific local searches are important due to the county's diverse geography, extensive coastline, multiple district councils, and rich historical heritage. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
Kent has twelve district councils (including Canterbury, Maidstone, Ashford, Dover, Sevenoaks, and Tunbridge Wells) plus the unitary authority of Medway, each maintaining separate local land charges registers and handling planning permissions, building regulations, and conservation area controls.
These searches reveal planning permissions, building regulations compliance, conservation area restrictions, and development plans. Kent has extensive conservation areas protecting its rich architectural heritage, particularly around cathedral cities, market towns, and coastal areas. Many properties are listed buildings or within historic settings requiring special considerations.
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Critical in Kent due to the county's industrial heritage, former military sites, agricultural history, and potential contamination from historical land uses including former gas works, railway lands, and industrial activities.
Environmental searches identify contamination risks from former industrial sites, agricultural contamination, and ground stability issues. These are particularly important given Kent's varied geology, former mining activities, and the potential for contaminated land from historical industrial and military uses.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for Kent properties due to the county's extensive coastline, river systems, and flood risk areas, particularly in low-lying coastal regions and areas near rivers like the Medway and Thames.
Kent County Council acts as Lead Local Flood Authority managing flood risk across the county. Our searches assess flood risk from coastal flooding, rivers, surface water, and groundwater, particularly important for properties near the coast, in river valleys, or in areas like Romney Marsh and parts of Thanet.
Location resources for Kent property transactions
Online tools for researching Kent properties, planning history, and local considerations.
- Kent County Council - County-wide services and flood risk information
- Canterbury City Council - Planning and heritage guidance for Canterbury
- Maidstone Borough Council - Planning services for Maidstone area
- Dover District Council - Coastal and heritage planning information
- Land Registry price paid data - Search property sale prices and ownership records
- Environment Agency flood risk maps - Check flood risk levels for Kent properties
Our conveyancing services in Kent
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Kent
Legal fees starting from £564(inc. VAT)
- Kent local authority liaison - Comprehensive searches with relevant Kent council's specific planning and development requirements
- Planning permissions verification - Confirming development rights and planning restrictions for your Kent property
- Local authority searches - Essential investigations covering environmental factors and development history
- Environmental search coordination - Managing contamination assessments and flood risk evaluations where relevant
Your Kent conveyancing solicitor handles planning compliance, environmental searches, and local authority requirements.
Learn more about buying a property Or get an instant quote ->Selling a property in Kent
Legal fees starting from £552(inc. VAT)
- Property enquiry responses - Comprehensive answers to buyer solicitor questions about development considerations and local factors
- Planning documentation - Providing development history and planning compliance for buyer enquiries
- Environmental documentation - Contamination reports and environmental certificates where relevant
- Legal documentation - Comprehensive contract preparation and property information compilation for smooth Kent sales
Your Kent conveyancing solicitor manages planning certificates, environmental documentation, and local authority requirements.
Learn more about selling a property Or get an instant quote ->Buying and selling a property in Kent
Legal fees starting from £1024(inc. VAT)
- Chain coordination - Managing your sale and purchase transactions with careful Kent market timing
- Kent council experience - Handling council requirements for planning permissions and development compliance
- Environmental search coordination - Managing contamination and flood risk assessments where relevant
- Planning documentation - Coordinating development history and planning compliance across transactions
Your Kent conveyancing solicitor coordinates transactions with planning and environmental expertise.
Learn more about buying and selling a property Or get an instant quote ->Remortgaging a property in Kent
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 Kent 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 Kent
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 Kent conveyancing solicitor manages legal documentation requirements for efficient transfer completion.
Learn more about transfer of equity Or get an instant quote ->
Kent area property guide
Understanding Kent's diverse neighborhoods
East Kent (Canterbury & Dover)
The historic heart of Kent featuring Canterbury's UNESCO World Heritage cathedral city and Dover's iconic White Cliffs. Properties range from medieval cottages within Canterbury's city walls to coastal homes with Channel views in Dover. The area offers excellent transport links including high-speed rail to London, making it popular with commuters and those seeking cultural heritage combined with modern convenience.
West Kent (Sevenoaks & Tunbridge Wells)
The affluent western areas of Kent, popular with London commuters due to excellent rail connections. Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells offer some of Kent's highest property values, featuring period properties, modern family homes, and prestigious addresses. Areas like Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells provide Victorian and Edwardian architecture with access to outstanding schools and green spaces.
Did you know?
Kent is known as the "Garden of England" because Henry VIII was so delighted with a bowl of Kent cherries that he ordered Britain's first cherry orchard to be planted in Teynham. This agricultural tradition continues today with Kent's orchards and farms supplying premium produce across the country.
The county has more castles and historic houses than any other English county, including Leeds Castle (known as "the loveliest castle in the world"), Dover Castle (Europe's largest castle), and Canterbury Cathedral - the mother church of the Anglican Communion and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mid Kent (Maidstone & Ashford)
Maidstone, Kent's county town, offers a mix of historic properties and modern developments with good transport links to London and the coast. Ashford has undergone significant regeneration with high-speed rail connections making it increasingly popular. The area provides more affordable options while maintaining good connectivity and local amenities.
Coastal Kent (Thanet & Folkestone)
The coastal areas including Margate, Ramsgate, Folkestone, and surrounding villages offer seaside living with regenerating town centers and artistic communities. Properties range from Victorian seaside terraces to modern waterfront developments. The area benefits from improving transport links and cultural renaissance, attracting both families and creative professionals.
Start your Kent conveyancing journey today
Get expert Kent conveyancing from solicitors who understand multiple district council requirements, heritage property considerations, and South East England property regulations.
Call now for your free quote - we know Kent's unique property challenges.
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What makes conveyancing in Kent different from other areas?
Kent combines commuter towns, coastal areas, and rural properties with complex local authority structures across multiple districts. Our conveyancers understand varying council policies, significant conservation areas, coastal considerations, and the county's appeal to London commuters seeking more space and value.
How long does conveyancing take in Kent?
Conveyancing in Kent typically takes 8-12 weeks, though rural properties may require additional time for access investigations. Coastal properties may need environmental assessments, while conservation areas require heritage considerations. Our experienced team efficiently manages Kent's diverse property requirements.
How much does conveyancing cost in Kent?
Conveyancing costs in Kent start from £564 for standard purchases. The county's diverse property market ranges from affordable options to premium coastal and rural properties. We provide transparent pricing with our Fixed Legal Fee guarantee, clearly outlining any additional search requirements.
Do I need to visit your offices for Kent conveyancing?
No, you don't need to visit offices for Kent conveyancing. Our online conveyancing service is ideal for Kent's diverse geography, handling everything remotely whether you're buying in Canterbury, coastal Whitstable, or rural villages. Our solicitors understand the county's varied property landscape and local considerations across all districts.
Are there coastal considerations for Kent properties?
Kent's extensive coastline means many properties may face considerations around coastal erosion, flood risks, or salt air exposure. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive environmental searches and advise on appropriate insurance coverage and any coastal-specific maintenance considerations affecting your property choice.
What should I know about commuter demand in Kent?
Kent's excellent transport links to London, including High Speed rail services, create strong commuter demand particularly around station towns. This affects property values, rental potential, and resale prospects. Our team advises on how transport accessibility and commuter appeal affect your property's investment potential.
