Conveyancing in Tyne and Wear

What does conveyancing in Tyne and Wear involve?

Conveyancing is the term used for buying and selling property, remortgaging and transferring equity. It refers to all the paperwork and legal formalities involved in the transaction. A conveyancing solicitor in Tyne and Wear will start the process on your behalf, including requesting searches, negotiating the price, exchanging contracts and transferring funds. We only with fully qualified solicitors for all conveyancing in Tyne and Wear. Find out more about Homeward Legal's conveyancing services here.

How do I get a quote conveyancing in Tyne and Wear?

Our online quote builder will give you an instant quote for Tyne and Wear conveyancing services you need. Simply provide a few details about your chosen transaction, about you and the property involved in your transaction. You'll get an on-screen quote in minutes. You can also call our team on seven days a week or request a callback for a time that suits you.

Why should I choose a Tyne and Wear conveyancing solicitor through Homeward Legal?

At Homeward Legal, we offer first-class customer service and competitive quotes to ensure we're your best option for all Tyne and Wear conveyancing services. Here are some other excellent reasons to choose Homeward Legal:

• All the Tyne and Wear conveyancing solicitors we work with are regulated under the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
• We never use complicated or unnecessary jargon and instead use plain English to explain the conveyancing process.
• The legal fee you are quoted for conveyancing in Tyne and Wear will be exactly what you pay, with no hidden costs*.
• Our no-completion protection offer means you're not out of pocket if your transaction fails to complete for any reason.
• We always put the customer first, and the hundreds of positive Trustpilot reviews we've received are testament to high customer satisfaction levels.

*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 Tyne and Wear cost?

The question of how much conveyancing in Tyne and Wear will cost does not have a simple answer because each transaction is unique. Final costs will depend on such factors as a property's value and whether it is leasehold or freehold. A conveyancing transaction will include solicitors' and Land Registry fees, plus a buyer will pay for a surveyor and Stamp Duty Land Tax**. You must also pay fees for searches and bank transfers. To calculate conveyancing costs in Tyne and Wear, check out 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.

Where are the best home-mover destinations in Tyne and Wear?

Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the biggest city in the north-east, and its waterside regeneration has seen the city transformed in recent years. Regarded as perhaps England's friendliest city, Newcastle certainly has much to offer home movers, from a vibrant city centre with newbuild apartments and many warehouse conversions to suburban, family homes.

Across the river is Gateshead, home to the iconic Angel of the North and the enormous Metro Centre. Its suburban towns, including Blaydon-on-Tyne and Ryton, are much sought-after.

North of Newcastle lies North Tyneside with historic seaside resorts such as Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Whitley Bay. South Tyneside's unspoilt coastline is complemented with the likes of South Shields and Jarrow.

The second half of Tyne and Wear is Sunderland, another industrial city that's busy remaking itself as a modern economic powerhouse. The city centre has been transformed with conversions and newbuilds, while suburban towns such as Ashbrooke and Houghton-le-Spring have great appeal for families.

How much is the average property in Tyne and Wear?

Much of the Tyne and Wear are falls into the affordable bracket for home movers. The Land Registry's most recent update of sold property prices puts the average home here at £142,667. In Newcastle, that average price rises to £167,079; in North Tyneside, it's £168,007, but the average prices fall to £131,789 in Gateshead, in South Tyneside to £129,012 and to £113,739 in Sunderland. Those average prices compare very favourably to an English average of £256,109.

Will conveyancing in Tyne and Wear be slower for leasehold?

Some conveyancing for leasehold may take a little longer. In a leasehold property, the homeowner only owns the property and not the land on which it stands. The land remains in the ownership of the freeholder, who then leases it for a specific period, usually decades and sometimes centuries. A home buyer must be certain of their legal rights and how long they may be entitled to live in their new home. To protect your property purchase, a Tyne and Wear conveyancing solicitor will request a leasehold information pack from the freeholder. Any delay in responding to this request will hold the transaction up because the purchase cannot be completed without it. We explain more in our guide to buying leasehold.

Which council has control of schooling in Tyne and Wear?

There are five metropolitan authorities across Tyne and Wear, each responsible for state education services in their area. They are Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council; Sunderland City Council; Gateshead Council; and South Tyneside Council. Tyne and Wear also has a number of independent and academy schools. Use the government school comparison website to check the Ofsted ranking of all schools in the area.

Is there an increased flood risk for property in Tyne and Wear?

With two major rivers and a long coastline at the heart of this region, Tyne and Wear is one of many areas in England at increased risk of flooding. For peace of mind about your property purchase, ask your Tyne and Wear conveyancing solicitor about a flood-risk search. The Environment Agency guide to flood risk will also help identify particular areas.

What searches do I need for Tyne and Wear conveyancing?

A conveyancing solicitor for a Tyne and Wear property purchase will conduct a series of searches to complete your transaction. Check out our helpful guide. The following searches may be particularly relevant to Tyne and Wear conveyancing:

• Local authority search: Crucial for planning consents and information on conservation areas, such as Jesmond Dene and Roker Park.
• Mining search: A crucial search for any Tyne and Wear property purchase because of historic mining activity in this area. The search identifies the location of mine shafts and tunnels.
• Environmental search: Shows contaminated land and pollution and is another crucial search in an area with a long history of heavy industry.
• Chancel repair liability search: This is a rare, historic charge that is related to responsibility for repairs to a Church of England parish church.

How good are transport links in Tyne and Wear?

Transport links around Tyne and Wear are very good. The A1(M) is the only motorway, connecting to the M1 to the south, to the A1 north to Edinburgh and the A69 to Carlisle. The biggest benefit locally is the Metro, a light rail system that connects all five areas of Tyne and Wear and links to Newcastle Airport. The train journey from Newcastle to London takes around three hours via the East Coast Main Line.