Most purchases in Hull and East Yorkshire follow the same legal process, whatever the type of property. Understanding that process before you make an offer helps you budget accurately and avoid delay once your offer is accepted.
Points to check before you offer
Some features of a property affect the legal work and are worth raising with the estate agent early: whether it is freehold or leasehold, whether the road is adopted by the council, how the property is connected to drains and sewers, and whether there is an estate management company or a rentcharge. Older properties may also have title documents that need closer examination. None of these points is unusual, but each can add time and cost if it comes to light late.
What your conveyancing solicitor does
Once your offer is accepted, your conveyancer takes over the legal side of the purchase. In broad terms the work runs as follows:
- Check the draft contract and the seller’s title, and raise enquiries on anything unclear.
- Carry out searches with the local authority, the water and drainage company, and an environmental search, plus any others the property needs.
- Review the mortgage offer and report to your lender.
- Report the findings to you in plain language, so you can make decisions with the full picture.
- Agree a completion date, exchange contracts, and then complete, handling the money and the Stamp Duty Land Tax return along the way.
We will not ask you to sign any document until we have explained it.
Searches and timescales
Local searches depend on the local authority, so we order them promptly. Properties in the area fall under either Hull City Council or the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and turnaround times vary between them and through the year. A straightforward freehold purchase with a mortgage often takes eight to twelve weeks from offer to completion. A chain, a leasehold property or particular lender requirements can extend that. We will give you a realistic estimate for your own transaction.
Costs
Your total outlay is made up of our legal fee plus disbursements, which are payments to third parties such as search providers, HM Land Registry and, where it applies, Stamp Duty Land Tax. Our legal fee for a purchase starts from £900 + VAT. We set out the full figures in a written, itemised quote before you commit. If something arises during the transaction that affects the cost, we will tell you before doing the work.
When to contact us
It helps to contact us before you find a property, or as soon as your offer is accepted. We can then explain the process, provide a written quote and open your file promptly when the contract papers arrive. Our conveyancing team acts for buyers and sellers from our offices in Hull, Bridlington and Hornsea.