The county town of Durham after which it was named, is built on the banks of the River Wear on three sides and its origins can be traced back to the tenth century, when it was founded by monks, the location of which was the site of Durham Cathedral. As with most of the county, the industrial revolution was responsible for the rapid growth in the population and Durham now offers a variety of different properties. So, whether you are planning on selling your bungalow in Brotherlee, releasing some of the equity in your maisonette in Mowden or looking to sell your semi-detached property in Spennymoor, Homeward Legal's team of expert conveyancers are waiting to help you through the conveyancing process.
Our knowledge and experience of Durham and its housing market, as well as having a detailed understanding of how the purchase or sale of properties are affected by the legal process, mean that you can be assured of a top-quality conveyancing service for a value-for-money price.
We're open 6 days a week for your convenience, so call us now on to get your free, no-obligation quote.
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Why choose Homeward Legal for your conveyancing in Durham
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).
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.
Excellent, friendly service
So far so good, straight forward process with competitive pricing.
Chris has been brilliant, really helpful and friendly, made me feel reassured during a difficult time and didn't make me feel pressured.
Would definitely use this service again.
Current market trends in Durham
You've decided to buy your next home somewhere in Durham and so will want to know everything you can find out about the area and how the specifics of the purchase process might affect your plans. So, if you are considering the quaint town of Stanhope, or the beautiful idyll that Wolsingham offers, or the variety of options that are available in Eaglescliffe to the south-east of the city, the conveyancing team at Homeward Legal fully understands your needs.
- Average property price: £138,000-£162,000 (among England's most affordable areas)
- Most active areas: Durham City, Chester-le-Street, Stanley, and coastal towns
- Typical conveyancing timeframe: 8-12 weeks for standard transactions
- Annual price growth: +10% to +11% year-on-year (strong growth from affordable base)
Sources: ONS, Plumplot, Durham Magazine, Homeward Legal internal data
Updated July 2025
Essential local searches for Durham properties
When buying property in Durham, specific local searches are crucial due to the county's mining heritage, diverse landscapes from coast to countryside, and mix of historic towns and modern developments. Our conveyancers conduct comprehensive investigations including:
Local authority searches
Durham County Council maintains the local land charges register and handles planning permissions, building regulations, conservation area controls, and development restrictions that might affect your property.
These searches reveal planning permissions, building regulations compliance, conservation area restrictions, and development plans across County Durham's diverse areas from Durham City to coastal towns like Seaham. The county's ongoing regeneration and housing development projects mean understanding planning proposals is crucial for future property values.
Learn more about local authority search >
Environmental searches
Important in Durham due to the county's extensive coal mining heritage, industrial legacy, and varied geography including former mining areas, coastline, and rural landscapes.
Environmental searches identify contamination risks from former mining and industrial activities, ground stability issues from historical coal extraction, and other environmental factors. These are particularly important given County Durham's significant mining heritage and the potential for subsidence or contamination from former colliery sites.
Learn more about environmental search >
Water and drainage searches
Essential for Durham properties due to various rivers including the River Wear, River Tees, and numerous smaller watercourses running through the county, plus coastal areas along the North Sea.
Our searches assess flood risk from rivers, surface water drainage, and coastal influences in eastern areas, particularly important near watercourses and in areas with historical flooding or drainage issues related to former mining activities.
Learn more about water and drainage search >
Mining searches
Durham sits in one of England's most significant former coal mining areas. Mining searches are essential to check for potential subsidence from former mine workings beneath the property, particularly relevant given County Durham's extensive mining heritage.
Location resources for Durham property transactions
Online tools for researching Durham properties, planning history, and local considerations.
- Durham County Council Planning Portal - Search planning applications and building regulations in County Durham
- HM Land Registry - Search property sale prices and ownership records
- Environment Agency flood risk - Check flood risk for Durham's riverside and coastal properties
- Durham County Council Planning Policy - Strategic planning policies and development information
- Historic England - Check listed buildings and conservation areas in Durham
Our conveyancing services in Durham
From purchase to remortgage - we handle it all
Buying a property in Durham
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial verification - confirms the seller has legal right to sell and the property is free from issues.
- Property searches - conducts comprehensive local authority and environmental searches to identify potential problems.
- Property enquiries - raises detailed questions with the seller's solicitor about the property's use and history.
- Contract review - examines all legal documentation and ensures terms protect your interests.
- Mortgage coordination - liaises with your lender to arrange mortgage approval and legal requirements.
- Exchange management - finalises contract terms and coordinates exchange making the purchase legally binding.
- Completion coordination - handles final transfer, arranges mortgage funds, and ensures you receive the keys.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Durham.
Selling a property in Durham
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Ownership verification & documentation - confirms you have clear legal title and right to sell, then prepares all legal contracts and documentation for the sale.
- Property enquiries response - answers all legal questions raised by the buyer's solicitor about the property.
- Issue resolution - investigates and resolves any legal concerns or defects identified during the process.
- Mortgage coordination - liaises with your lender to arrange mortgage discharge and settlement.
- Exchange management - finalises contract terms and coordinates the exchange of contracts with the buyer's solicitor.
- Completion coordination - handles the final transfer, receives sale proceeds, pays off your mortgage, and transfers remaining funds to you.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Durham.
Buying and selling a property in Durham
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Chain coordination & timeline management - manages both transactions simultaneously to align completion dates and ensure smooth progression.
- Dual contract management - handles sale and purchase contracts together, ensuring all terms work in harmony.
- Financial coordination - manages deposit flows and fund transfers between your sale and purchase.
- Synchronised exchange & completion - coordinates both exchanges and completions to happen seamlessly on the same day.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Durham.
Remortgaging in Durham
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial assessment & lender liaison - coordinates between old and new mortgage providers while reviewing your property title.
- Legal documentation & verification - handles all required paperwork and confirms property ownership and restrictions.
- Discharge coordination - arranges settlement of existing mortgage and manages fund transfers.
- Registration completion - updates Land Registry records with new mortgage details and finalises the process.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Durham.
Transfer of equity in Durham
Your solicitor's responsibilities will include:
- Initial assessment & transfer preparation - reviews current ownership structure and prepares all necessary transfer documentation.
- Documentation & duty management - handles deed preparation and arranges stamp duty calculations and payments.
- Legal completion & registration - finalises the equity transfer and updates all Land Registry records.
- Support & coordination - provides guidance throughout and ensures smooth completion of the equity transfer.
- Local expertise - provides knowledge of local property laws and procedures in Durham.
Durham area property guide
Understanding Durham's diverse neighborhoods
Easington
Easington is a large village in the east of the county that is not far from the North Sea coast. It has a rich history that stretches back as far as the main city itself and is most recently the location of coal-mining that started just before the beginning of the twentieth century. With this history, your conveyancing solicitor will investigate any known issues affected by the underground tunnels and shafts, perhaps recommending a separate more detailed report on the subject dependent on the findings from the initial searches.
Consett
The large town of Consett to the north of the county is probably best-known for its association with the steel industry, which was given significant assistance by the nearby abundance of coal. Following the closure of the steelworks, there have been several regeneration projects, which means that there are several different styles of properties to choose from. The industrial heritage will be of interest to your conveyancing solicitor, who will assess the status of contaminated soil and remedial work that is either in progress or planned by the authorities.
Escomb
Escomb is one of the many pretty villages that can be found around the county, and it features a small church that can be dated back to the seventh or eighth century. Although there may not be a chancel repair requirement (parishioner payments for the upkeep of the church) in place currently, which your conveyancing solicitor will verify in their searches, you might be advised to take out a cheap indemnity insurance to protect you in the future should that position change.
Did you know?
Durhamwas one of the first places to be granted the then new title of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, alongside the Palace of Versailles and the Taj Mahal, and this honour covers the eleventh century castle and the cathedral. The cathedral has a “sanctuary knocker” on the main door (a replica with the original being in the museum), allowing fugitives sanctuary from their accusers or to be given safe passage to the coast (a practice that is no longer kept up, it should be noted!).
Although Colman's (based in Norwich in Norfolk) is almost synonymous with the creation and sale of the English mustard condiment, the recipe was developed by a Mrs. Clements of Durham, who figured that grinding the mustard seeds would release far more flavour (and heat), making the familiar yellow paste that we see in jars. Passed down to the next generation, the recipe and business was sold to Colman's who used their market dominance to spread the now quintessentially English condiment's appeal.
Start your Durham conveyancing journey today
Get expert Durham conveyancing from solicitors who understand mining heritage properties, North East regeneration areas, and County Durham's unique challenges.
Call now for your free quote - we know Durham's unique property challenges.
Frequently asked questions about conveyancing in Durham
What makes conveyancing in Durham different from other areas?
Durham's extensive coal mining heritage and ongoing regeneration create specific legal considerations. Our conveyancers understand local council requirements, mining-related searches, and area-specific considerations due to the county's industrial history and current development activity across diverse communities from Durham City to coastal areas.
How long does conveyancing take in Durham?
The average transaction takes 8-12 weeks, though this can vary based on property type, location, and whether additional mining or environmental searches are required. We'll provide realistic timescales based on your specific circumstances.
How much does conveyancing cost in Durham?
Our conveyancing legal fees in Durham start from £510 for a standard purchase transaction, with a transparent breakdown of all costs provided upfront.
Unlike many firms, we provide a Fixed Legal Fee guarantee and No Completion, No Fee protection, ensuring you know exactly what you'll pay with no hidden surprises.
Do I need to visit your offices for Durham conveyancing?
No, our online service means everything can be handled remotely. Our solicitors have extensive North East experience and can manage your transaction efficiently without face-to-face meetings.
