Conveyancing in Surrey

What does conveyancing in Surrey involve?

Conveyancing is the term for the paperwork that's involved in buying and selling land and property, remortgaging and a transfer of equity from a property. Your Surrey conveyancing solicitor carries out all the legal formalities to ensure the transaction is completed smoothly. This includes requesting searches, negotiating on the price, exchanging contracts and transferring funds on the day of completion. We only work with fully qualified and regulated conveyancing solicitors for Surrey. Read more about Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote conveyancing in Surrey?

Getting a quote for conveyancing in Surrey is easy. On our online quote builder, enter a few details about yourself, the transaction and the property, and you'll receive an instant quote. Or you can call us direct on to chat through your conveyancing options. For your convenience, we are open seven days a week and can arrange to call you back at the best time for you.

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

Whatever transaction you need, conveyancing can often seem complicated. We are here to guide you through the process and ensure your move runs smoothly. Here is why you can depend on us:

• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Surrey will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• Our offer of no-completion protection ensures there are no legal fees to pay should your move fall through.

• We only work with fully qualified professionals regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
• We explain everything in plain English with no jargon, so the conveyancing process is easy to understand.
• We have received hundreds of positive reviews on Trustpilot that show how highly our customers value what we do for them.

*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 Surrey cost?

There is no simple answer to how much conveyancing costs in Surrey. The final price will always depend on factors such as the value of the property or if it is leasehold or freehold. When buying or selling in Surrey, conveyancing could include such charges as solicitors' fees, Land Registry fees, searches, surveyors' fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax* and more. For more information, check out our guide to average conveyancing fees in 2020.

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

Where are Surrey's best home-mover destinations?

Surrey is one of the most populated counties in England, with around 1.2 million people making their home there. With much of Surrey denoted as green belt land, that means development is at a premium and ensures high demand for any property.

The most exclusive locations in the county include Virginia Water, Leatherhead, Cobham and Esher. More affordable spots are the likes of Camberley, Woking and Epsom. Croydon, traditionally part of Surrey but now a London borough, is also one of the most affordable spots. Check out homes in the likes of Farnham, Horley and Redhill, too.

How much is a typical property in Surrey?

Be prepared to have very deep pockets to buy a home in Surrey. According to the most recent data from the Land Registry, the average property sells here for £449,333. In the Mole Valley council area, which includes Leatherhead, the average home will cost £480,161; in Runnymede, where Virginia Water lies, the average property price is £416,532. That average price drops to £376,180 in Croydon; £383,367 in Sutton; and £381,521 in Surrey Heath, which contains Camberley. The Land Registry produces monthly sold house price that gives the averages for each area of England.

Will buying a leasehold property slow down conveyancing in Surrey?

Freehold and leasehold are two types of popular property tenure in England. In leasehold, a homeowner owns only the building and not the land on which it stands. This land is then lease for a specific period, usually decades but sometimes much shorter, from the freeholder or landowner. When you instruct a Surrey conveyancing solicitor for a leasehold purchase, they will ask the freeholder for a leasehold information pack. Any delay in responding to this request will hold up your transaction, which cannot complete without this information. There's more detail about conveyancing for leasehold in our informative guide.

Which council is responsible for schools in Surrey?

There are 11 local authorities within Surrey, but only Surrey County Council has responsibility for providing state education services. This county also has many private and independent schools. For details on how schools and colleges across Surrey are rated by Ofsted, go to the government's school comparison website.

Is there a flood risk to property in Surrey?

Increased heavy rainfall and more frequent storms have recently caused flooding events in areas of England that had not previously been affected. So, it is doubly important that home buyers do their homework on this issue. When you instruct an Surrey conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal, they will ask for a flood-risk search, which will reveal any potential threat from all types of flooding. The Environment Agency's own guide to flood risk across England is a useful resource for home movers, too.

What kind of searches will I need for conveyancing in Surrey?

Your Surrey conveyancing solicitor will talk you through the essential conveyancing searches are essential. Some of the most important are:

• Local authority search: Important for planning and information on conservation areas. There are 200 conservation areas across Surrey, so this search is vital to ensure your property purchase is not held up by any planning issues.
• Environmental search: Reveals details of contaminated land and pollution, particularly important for areas of historic industrial activity and brownfield land development.
• Chancel repair liability search: This historic charge is rare and relates to a property owner's responsibility for repairs to the local Church of England.

Is Surrey a good location for commuters?

There's a good reason that Surrey is considered an integral part of London's commuter belt. Close to the capital, it boasts extensive road, rail and air connections. The M3, M25 and M23 criss-cross the county and connect to A roads for the bigger towns and villages.

Train services are provided by South West Trains and Southern Rail with routes into London Waterloo and London Victoria.

Gatwick and Heathrow Airports are easily accessed via the M25 and M23.

Surrey County Council has information on all local public transport.