Conveyancing in Sheffield

What does conveyancing in Sheffield involve?

Conveyancing is the term used to describe all the paperwork that are part of 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 Sheffield, a conveyancing solicitor will carry out all the legal formalities required to complete the transaction. This includes requesting searches, negotiating the price, exchanging contracts and transferring the necessary funds on completion day. All the solicitors we work with for Sheffield conveyancing are experienced and qualified professionals. Find out more about Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in Sheffield?

You can get a quote for conveyancing in Sheffield in a matter of minutes using our online quote builder. Simply enter a few details about yourself and the property you intend to buy or sell, and you'll receive an instant quote.

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

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

• We don't complicate conveyancing by using unnecessary jargon. Instead we always keep things simple and explain everything in plain English.
• Our 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 Sheffield will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• We only work with conveyancing solicitors who are fully regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
• Our customers come first - always. And hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews demonstrate how much our customers appreciate our care and service.

*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 Sheffield cost?

The final price for any conveyancing transaction depends on a number of factors, such as value of the property involved. Whether you are buying or selling a home in Sheffield, your conveyancing transaction 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.

To find out more about the costs involved in conveyancing in Sheffield, read our guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020.

**In July 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a stamp duty holiday on certain properties until March 31, 2021.

What are average house prices like in Sheffield?

The latest 2020 data from the Land Registry shows the average residential property sells for £169,872 in Sheffield. The average detached property sells for £295,430 and a semi for £184,797. A terraced property has an average sold price of £145,663 and flats and maisonettes sell for £114,181.

How much will council tax cost in Sheffield?

Sheffield City Council sets the council tax rates for the city. Residential property is allocated into one of eight council tax bands depending on their valuation. You can check the band your property is in on the government website.

The 2020-21 council tax bands in Sheffield are:

How fast is broadband in Sheffield?

Once renowned for its heavy industry, Sheffield is still a city steeped in innovation and entrepreneurialism, so it's no surprise it's still a base for production and manufacture. That means heavy demands on broadband from business, and there's excellent superfast fibre-optic broadband available, which is good news for residents, too. Do a postcode check on a broadband comparison site to find out the available speeds at your new home.

How highly rated are schools in Sheffield?

There are 87 primary schools in Sheffield, 30 secondaries and 22 sixth-form and further education colleges. Of those schools, 13 are currently rated as outstanding by Ofsted. You can find out how your chosen school rates on the government website.

Sheffield is home to two universities: the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University.

How important is a chancel repair liability search for a Sheffield property purchase?

Anyone moving in England and Wales should consider if a chancel repair liability search is essential because this liability can have a wide-ranging effect. Read more about chancel liability in our comprehensive guide. Briefly, chancel liability relates to land and property within the boundaries of historic Church of England parishes, which might have a financial responsibility for chancel or altar repairs. When buying property in Sheffield, your conveyancing solicitor will advise if a chancel liability search is required. This search will reveal any liability, and your solicitor can advise on potential future costs and your options, including purchasing indemnity insurance.

Does Sheffield have specific conservation areas?

Sheffield currently has 38 conservation areas, each recognised as an area with special architectural and historic interest. These areas include Beauchief Abbey and Beauchief Hall, the Cultural Industries Quarter and Well Meadow. Stricter rules on development and planning apply in conservation areas. That means if you're buying in a conservation area, you need to be certain any existing alterations have been done with planning permission. Your Sheffield conveyancing solicitor will instruct a local authority planning search to clarify the situation.

We're buying a property at auction in Sheffield - should we instruct a conveyancing solicitor first?

Yes, the advice we offer to anyone considering buying a property at auction is to instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Sheffield before making any bid. That gives your lawyer time to examine the lot's legal pack and ensure the conveyancing can be completed within the auction deadline, usually 28 days. We work with a panel of expert law firms who have completed conveyancing for sales from the likes of Auction House London, Allsop (commercial and residential), Award Property, Barnett Ross, Baxtons, Acuitus, Phillip Arnold Auctions, Countrywide Property Auctions and Drivers & Norris. Check out our comprehensive guide to buying property at auction for more tips.

Will contaminated land affect my Sheffield property buy?

Sheffield's long history of heavy industry means there's a lot of land in and around the city that may contain substances that could, when disturbed, be harmful to humans, wildlife and the environment. By law, Sheffield City Council must keep a register of all contaminated land that has been identified in the city boundaries. For example, earlier this year, the city council gave the greenlight to a major housing development on a site formerly used for mining and industry but which has been cleared of pollutants. When buying in Sheffield, your conveyancing solicitor will instruct an environmental search that should identify any possible contaminated land nearby.

Will HS2 have an effect on my Sheffield property purchase?

HS2 is the high-speed rail link currently being constructed to connect London to Birmingham and then on to Manchester and Leeds. Any property on the proposed route, which includes a spur to Sheffield, may be subject to compulsory purchase order. Anyone buying a home in the area should ask their Sheffield conveyancing solicitor to order an HS2 search.

How are the transport links in Sheffield?

Sheffield has excellent transport links to and from and around the city. The Supertram and bus network covers every part of the city, including all the major sporting venues and the vast shopping mall at Meadowhall.

East Midlands Railway provides a direct service from Sheffield to London St Pancras that takes just over two hours. An hourly service goes to Manchester and Manchester Airport, while the TransPennine Express and Northern Rail offer links to Liverpool in the west and Leeds and Newcastle to the north.

There are four international airports within an hour's drive of Sheffield: Manchester, Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands.

The M1 motorway to the east of city offers a fast driving route south to London and north to Leeds with connections to the A1(M) and the north.