Conveyancing in Somerset

What does conveyancing in Somerset involve?

The law profession uses the term conveyancing to describe all the paperwork and legal formalities in buying, selling, remortgaging or transferring equity from a property. When buying a home in Somerset, a conveyancing solicitor will request searches, negotiate the price, exchange contracts and transfer the funds on completion day. Our Somerset conveyancing solicitors are all fully qualified professionals who will do all the legal work on your behalf. Read more here on all Homeward Legal's conveyancing services.

How do I get a quote for conveyancing in Somerset?

Use our online quote builder to get a quote for Somerset conveyancing in minutes. Simply choose your required transaction and add some details about yourself as well as the property involved. You can talk through the quote by arranging a callback at a time that's convenient to you. Or call our team on . We're open seven days with late nights Monday to Friday.

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

Anyone who is buying, selling or remortgaging a home might find the idea of conveyancing stressful. So Homeward Legal is here to take the strain so you don't have to. Choose us for Somerset conveyancing because:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Somerset will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• We offer no-completion protection, so you don't pay legal fees if your move fails to complete for any reason.

• We only work with fully qualified professionals regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• We never use unnecessary legal jargon and always talk through the Somerset conveyancing process in plain English.
• We have received hundreds of positive reviews on Trustpilot, a clear sign of how highly our customers value our 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 Somerset cost?

All conveyancing transactions are unique, so your final bill for Somerset conveyancing depends on factors such as the value of the property and whether it is freehold or leasehold. Conveyancing costs for a property purchase will include solicitors' fees, surveyor costs, Stamp Duty Land Tax*, Land Registry fees, searches and bank transfer charges. For an idea of the costs of conveyancing in Somerset for sale or purchase, we've prepared a guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020.

*In July 2020, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a stamp duty holiday, which applies to properties up to a value of £500,000 in England and Northern Ireland until March 31, 2021.

Where are Somerset's best home-mover destinations?

Wells, Frome and Bath all garnered a spot in the 2020 Sunday Times' Best Places to Live in the UK, their charms apparent to the judges. Bath is renowned for its iconic Georgian architecture, while Wells also boasts Georgian homes and historic cottages. Frome's historic centre and cultural quarter add to its appeal. Right in the centre of the county is Taunton, with a historic past and excellent shopping facilities.

More rural but popular locations include Street, which is close to Glastonbury and Wells; the mediaeval village of Dunster, set within Exmoor National Park; and Cheddar, the village that gave its name to the cheese.

On the coast are golden sands and the popular resorts of Minehead and Weston-Super-Mare, along with pretty Burnham-on-Sea, which boasts the second longest stretch of sand in Europe.

How much does an average property cost in Somerset?

Its popularity means that Somerset property can be expensive, particularly because of a rise in buyers purchasing holiday accommodation and second homes. According to the most recent data from the Land Registry on sold property prices, the average home in Somerset costs £241,173. That compares to an English average of £256,109. In Bath, the average property sells for £352,986. In the Mendip District Council area, which includes Wells, Frome and Street, the average property will cost £264,143. In Taunton, the average sold price is £238,011.

Is conveyancing in Somerset slower when buying a leasehold property?

Leasehold is a popular property tenure, affecting around four million properties in England and Wales. When buying leasehold, a homeowner will only own the property outright and must lease the land it stands on for a specific period. A lease usually runs for decades or even centuries. Conveyancing for leasehold property in Somerset may take longer because a solicitor must request a leasehold pack from the freeholder (landowner). Matters may be complicated further if the lease is close to expiry. We've prepared a detailed guide to buying leasehold. When you instruct a Somerset conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal, they make the necessary enquiries for buying leasehold.

Which council has control of schooling in Somerset?

There are eight local authorities across Somerset, but responsibility for delivering state education services lies with only two of them: Somerset County Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council. The county also has a selection of independent, selective and academy schools. Use the government schools comparison website to find out the Ofsted ranking of your chosen school.

Is there increased flood risk in Somerset?

Increased rainfall and more frequent storms have raised the flood risk in many areas of England. Somerset is no different, and the county has suffered severe flooding events in recent years, particularly on the Somerset Levels. Stay fully informed of any flood risk by asking your Somerset conveyancing solicitor to instruct a flood-risk search. The Environment Agency guide to flood risk is a helpful resource for home buyers, too.

What searches do I need for Somerset conveyancing?

A Somerset conveyancing solicitor will conduct a series of searches to complete your transaction. We've prepared a helpful guide. The following searches may be particularly relevant to Somerset conveyancing:

• Mining search: Historic mining activity in Somerset makes this a vital search to identify the location of old mining shafts and tunnels.

• Local authority search: Crucial for planning consents and information on conservation areas, including the World Heritage Site in Bath, Glastonbury and Frome.
• Environmental search: Shows contaminated land and pollution, often relating to former industrial sites and redevelopment of brownfield sites.
• Chancel repair liability search: A rare, historic charge that means a property owner has responsibility for repairs to the Church of England parish church.

What are Somerset's transport links like?

There's an extensive rail network across Somerset, connecting the county to its neighbours, to London and to major cities. Great Western Trains is the main operator, offering Bath to London in around 90 minutes and connections to Glastonbury, Taunton, Frome, Yeovil, Weston-Super-Mare and Bridgewater. Travel back in time on the West Somerset Railway, a 20-mile line from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, and the East Somerset Railway through the Mendip Hills. Travel Somerset carries all public transport information for Somerset.

The M5 is the only motorway in Somerset with A roads linking the county with its neighbours. Airports at Exeter, Bristol and Cardiff are within easy reach.