Find a Lender-Approved Local Conveyancer in County Durham

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Selecting the right solicitor is the most important decision when it comes to your County Durham house move

Reasons to use our County Durham conveyancing solicitors

  • 1 Conveyancer conveyancing solicitors have valuable personal connections with County Durham estate agents and work very closely with them and local surveyors so as to ensure transactions proceed expeditiously.
  • 2 The County Durham conveyancing practitioners that we work with are committed to providing the most cost, efficient and accessible conveyancing service to borrowers, sellers and investors in County Durham
  • 3 Our site is the only site that enables you the ability to ensure that your conveyancing in County Durham will be carried out by a law firm on your bank authorised panel.
  • 4 Using a high street Solicitor generally results in a more personalised service. When using a large conveyancing firm, you tend to be looked after by a team of people who check what is happening on the file by determining whether the ‘computers says no’.
  • 5 County Durham conveyancers work in partnership with County Durham estate agents, developers, surveyors, banks and other professionals to ensure that a quality service is offered to buyers and sellers every step of the way, helping make the process as straightforward as possible

Examples of recent conveyancing in County Durham since December 2023*

Recently asked questions about conveyancing in County Durham

Can you explain why leasehold purchase conveyancing in County Durham is more expensive?

In summary, leasehold conveyancing in County Durham and elsewhere usually warrants additional due diligence compared to freehold transactions. This includes reviewing the lease, communicating with the landlord concerning serving required notices, obtaining current service charge and management information, procuring the freeholder’s consents and reviewing management accounts. The obligations on both the landlord and the tenant in the lease need to be studied by the buyer’s conveyancing team and read from beginning to end – regardless of the fact the lease has passed through many different property solicitors hands since it was first entered into.

Do I have to visit the offices of the solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in County Durham so that I can attend their offices when needed.

These days conveyancing panel lawyers for mortgage companies conduct all of the work through the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake the legal work for your home move regardless of where you live in England or Wales. Nevertheless you can see if you can still book an appointment to visit conveyancing lawyer if just in case this is required.

How does conveyancing in County Durham differ for new build properties?

Most buyers of new build premises in County Durham come to us having been asked by the developer to sign contracts and commit to the purchase even before the premises is completed. This is because house builders in County Durham tend to purchase the real estate, plan the estate and want to get the plots sold off as they are building the properties. Buyers, therefore, will have to exchange contracts without actually seeing the house they are buying. To reduce the chances of losing the property, buyers should instruct conveyancing solicitors as soon as the property is reserved and mortgage applications should be submitted quickly. Due to the fact that it could be several months and even years between exchange of contracts and completion, the mortgage offer may need to be extended. It would be wise to use a lawyer who specialises in new build conveyancing especially if they are used to new build conveyancing in County Durham or who has acted in the same development.

I am looking into buying my first house which is in County Durham and I am already nervous. I couldn't find anything specific about County Durham. Conveyancing will be needed in due course but do you know about the County Durham area? or perhaps some other tips you can share?

Rather than looking online forget looking online you should go and have a look at County Durham. In the meantime here are some basic statistics that we found

Back In 2001, I bought a leasehold house in County Durham. Conveyancing and Leeds Building Society mortgage went though with no issue. I have received a letter from someone claiming to own the freehold. Attached was a demand for arrears of ground rent dating back to 1994. The conveyancing practitioner in County Durham who previously acted has long since retired. What should I do?

The first thing you should do is make enquiries of the Land Registry to be sure that the individual claiming to own the freehold is indeed the registered owner of the freehold reversion. You do not need to instruct a County Durham conveyancing practitioner to do this as it can be done on-line for less than a fiver. You should note that in any event, even if this is the legitimate landlord, under the Limitation Act 1980 the limitation period for recovery of ground rent is six years.

I purchased a ground floor flat in County Durham, conveyancing formalities finalised 5 years ago. How much will my lease extension cost? Similar flats in County Durham with over 90 years remaining are worth £185,000. The ground rent is £65 charged once a year. The lease ceases on 21st October 2084

With just 60 years left to run the likely cost is going to range between £20,000 and £23,000 as well as legals.

The suggested premium range that we have given is a general guide to costs for renewing a lease, but we cannot give you a more accurate figure without more comprehensive due diligence. You should not use the figures in a Notice of Claim or as an informal offer. There are no doubt other concerns that need to be taken into account and clearly you want to be as accurate as possible in your negotiations. You should not move forward based on this information without first seeking the advice of a professional.

Should I be worried if there is a problem with the searches conducted as part of our conveyancing in County Durham?

Normally, almost all adverse entries disclosed in County Durham conveyancing search responses can be dealt with in advance of completion or title insurance could possibly be put on cover. You should note that even though you intend on buying the premises and may be willing to accept the search results, your lender may not, and ultimately have the final decision.

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Commercial Conveyancing solicitors in County Durham regulated by the SRA

The list below is a non-comprehensive list of solicitors in County Durham with expertise in commercial conveyancing in County Durham. This will likely include advice on taking a commercial lease as a tenant
  • Smith Roddam, 56 North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7PG
  • Hewitts, 207 Newgate Street, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7EL
  • The Barrington Law Partnership, Barrington Chambers, Victoria Avenue, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7JH

Planning law solicitors in County Durham regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

The list below is a non-comprehensive list of solicitors in County Durham with expertise in planning law. This could include advice on applications about listed buildings and conservation areas
  • The Barrington Law Partnership, Barrington Chambers, Victoria Avenue, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, DL14 7JH

Home buying in County Durham is a complex business, both legally and administratively. The exact order of events varies slightly, below are some of the tasks in the process.

  • Taking instructions from parties involved
  • Collating the documents evidencing the title to the property
  • Preparing contract and associated papers
  • Submitting draft papers to the conveyancing practitioner acting for the purchaser
  • Negotiating contracts and answering supplemental questions from the buyer’s conveyancing practitioner
  • Finalising the transfer deed
  • Answering requisitions prepared by the purchaser’s conveyancing practitioner
  • Carrying out the key stage of exchanging contracts and then preparing for completion
  • Receiving sale proceeds and wiring funds to the owner, the estate agent and redeeming the mortgage (if relevant)

*Source acknowledgement: House price data produced by Land Registry as well data supplied by Lexsure Ltd.

© Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of Land Registry under delegated authority from the Controller of HMSO.