Whether you are taking your first step on the property ladder, moving to a new home, remortgaging or transferring equity, we are here to guide you through every stage.
We will keep you informed throughout your transaction, deal promptly with any issues that arise and work closely with all parties involved to avoid unnecessary delays.
Many of our clients come to us through personal recommendation, which reflects our local knowledge and commitment to delivering an exceptional conveyancing service.
Our conveyancing solicitors can help with:
Why choose Brethertons for conveyancing assistance?
- Awarded by Lexcel for our outstanding client care and practice management, and holding an accreditation for our conveyancing service.
- Winner of the News Block Property Management Award.
- We can help clients across England and Wales over the phone, via email and videoconferencing, as well as face-to-face where appropriate.
- Our advice is straightforward and jargon-free, so you will have all of the information you need to make the right choices for your property transaction.
Our conveyancing services
Buying a house
Buying a house is a significant milestone, regardless of whether you are putting your foot on the property ladder for the first time or are looking to add to your current portfolio.
Our conveyancing experts will support you with every aspect of buying a house, ensuring all of the legal details are taken care of and the process is completed efficiently.
Buying and selling in a chain
Buying and selling a property in a chain can add an extra layer of complexity to proceedings, as there are likely to be certain elements that are beyond your immediate control. The longer the chain, the greater the risk of experiencing a delay.
We will work closely with you to help you navigate buying and selling a property within a chain, taking every measure to reach completion with minimal disruption.
Selling a house
Understandably, selling a house is often an overwhelming and daunting prospect. It is certainly true that no two sales are the same, but with the right legal advice, you can be confident that you will be able to secure a swift sale.
Our conveyancing solicitors have experience in handling the full spectrum of potential issues that can affect residential property sales and will be available to offer tailored support on your circumstances.
Remortgaging & transfers of equity
There are various scenarios in which it may be appropriate to consider remortgaging or transferring ownership.
Whatever your situation, our conveyancing solicitors will be able to work alongside you to discuss your options and help you make an informed decision that suits your needs in the short and long term.
Conveyancing searches
Conveyancing searches are a fundamental part of the buying process and, in most instances, will inform your decision on how you want to approach your transaction.
Our conveyancing team have experience with all forms of searches, so are well positioned to advise you on the checks you will need, talk you through the outcomes and explain what steps you should be taking as a result.
Equity release
If you need to unlock some of the equity in your property, it may be in your interests to consider Equity Release. If you believe that this is the right option for you, our solicitors can guide you through all of the steps involved in completing the process, making sure that you have all the support you need and that you understand what the implications of the deal will be.
Shared ownership
Shared ownership may be a viable option if you are unable to afford all of the deposit and mortgage payments for a property.
We can work with you to explain how the process works, where it may be beneficial to you and take you through all the steps involved in completing a transaction through the Shared Ownership Scheme.
New build property
Buying a new build property off plan is an attractive prospect for both first time buyers and existing homeowners. However, there are certain pitfalls which need to be carefully considered.
Our team have significant experience in handling new build property transactions and will be available to advise you on the process from start to finish.
Tenancy agreements
It is essential that you have a clear tenancy agreement in place and that you understand its terms.
We help both landlords and tenants navigate the complex rules governing residential tenancies, from initial agreements to dispute resolution.
Leasehold enfranchisement
If you own a leasehold property, its value is often tied to the time left on the existing lease. Leasehold enfranchisement is the process you undergo to either extend a lease or make the individual purchase of the freehold. Our team can support you throughout the entire process of leasehold enfranchisement, making it as straightforward as possible.
Buy to let conveyancing
If you plan to purchase an investment property with the intention of letting it out, there are several potential challenges to consider, such as obtaining a buy-to-let mortgage.
We can take you through this whole process, ensuring you are making a suitable investment and that you are fully prepared to begin letting the property out.
Property auctions
Buying and selling property at auction is very different to the traditional conveyancing process and, as such, requires specialist expertise.
Our conveyancing solicitors offer clear, practical guidance in relation to property auctions, both before and after the hammer drops, ensuring that everything is handled efficiently.
Conveyancing FAQs
What happens upon Completion?
Completion is the point at which the buyer’s solicitor transfers the purchase money from their bank account to the seller’s solicitor’s bank account, the ownership of the property is transferred to the buyer, and the seller’s solicitor arranges for the keys to be handed over to the buyer.
This must occur on a working day and not on a Bank Holiday. The legal completion date is agreed on during the exchange of contracts. Your conveyancing solicitors will ensure that the completion date is discussed before the exchange of contracts.
What happens upon Exchange of Contracts?
The exchange of contracts when buying or selling a house is usually done by the buyer’s solicitor and the seller’s solicitor. Your local solicitors for conveyancing will check that clients have signed identical contracts, agree on the completion date and promptly send the signed contracts over.
At this stage, the buyer is normally expected to pay up to 10% of the purchase price as a contract deposit, which is normally held by the seller’s solicitor pending completion.
Once the contracts are exchanged, the completion date is permanent, and any required mortgage funds are ordered and ready for completion day. You can then make moving arrangements.
How long does conveyancing take?
Typically, conveyancing from start to finish takes between 8-12 weeks, but a simple transaction that does not involve a chain can take as little as 4-6 weeks, while complex chains or delays can make the process take several months longer.
Brethertons’ local conveyancing solicitors will take steps to move matters along promptly and prevent delays wherever possible.
What are the common causes of conveyancing delays?
Your property conveyancing lawyer will take precautions to prevent delays in the transactions ahead, but unfortunately, some things are unpredictable and out of their control. Common causes of delays could include:
- A chain involving multiple parties.
- The chain breaking or delays in the chain progression.
- The mortgage application taking extra time to process.
- Collection of references from a third party.
- Searches or enquiries revealing something unexpected about the property.
- Delays to searches by local authorities.
Your property conveyancing solicitors will work hard to progress matters as swiftly as possible, keeping you up to date with regular updates.
Who will look after my interests?
When you instruct our conveyancing solicitors, we will confirm the name and contact details of the conveyancer handling the transaction and the senior lawyer who has overall responsibility for the conveyancing.
Your conveyancer will be your main point of contact, progressing the transaction in your best interests and negotiating on legal issues on your behalf to ensure all paperwork is signed and submitted on time.
If your conveyancer is away from the office, another member of our expert team will always be there to act on your behalf and answer your questions.
How much Stamp Duty do I have to pay?
The amount of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) that you will need to pay will depend on the value of the property, with thresholds at:
- No tax is payable on the first £250,000.
- 5% is charged on the next £675,000.
- 10% is charged on the next £575,000.
- 12% is charged on any amount above £1.5 million.
The buyer, not the seller, is responsible for paying SDLT. If you are a first-time buyer, you may be eligible for further relief. You won’t pay DSLT on the first £425,000 and 5% on the portion up to £625,000.
If the purchase price is above £625,000, you won’t have any relief. Our property conveyancing solicitors can complete forms and ensure that deadlines are met, but cannot provide tax advice.
What conveyancing searches need to take place?
The searches required for the conveyancing process will depend on the location and type of the property. It is crucial to ensure that all relevant enquiries are made, and our team of residential property conveyancing solicitors will advise you on which types of searches are needed.
Where do I get a surveyor?
Whilst you are under no legal obligation to get a solicitor, you are strongly advised to do so when buying a house, as they can identify and appropriately deal with any structural or maintenance issues. We work closely with local, trusted surveyors and can recommend professionals in Banbury, Bicester, Cheltenham and Rugby.
How much does conveyancing cost?
The cost of residential property conveyancing will vary depending on the value of the property, whether you are buying a house or selling a house, and whether the property is freehold or leasehold. Additional searches, such as drainage or environment, can also impact the final cost.
We will provide a transparent breakdown of our fees and a clear estimate from the start of the transaction that covers all legal work, Land Registry fees, searches, and applicable taxes. For a tailored cost estimate, please contact our team of conveyancing solicitors in Banbury, Bicester, Cheltenham and Rugby.
Do I need a conveyancing solicitor to buy or sell a house?
Whilst you are not legally obliged to work with a solicitor, the success of your transaction could depend on it. Property transactions are notorious for involving complex legal documents, significant financial commitments, and strict deadlines. A mistake could lead to delays and further expenses.
Using experienced solicitors to buy a house or sell a house ensures the protection of your rights, that contracts are thoroughly checked, and that the transaction is correctly completed. Our property conveyancing lawyers guide clients through every step of the process to reduce stress and the likelihood of problems arising.
What documents will my conveyancer need?
Our conveyancing solicitors will request a range of documents in order to progress your transaction, which could include:
- Proof of identity (passport or driving licence).
- Proof of address (utility bill or bank statement).
- Details of the property, including the title deeds.
- Mortgage offer (if applicable).
- Completion statements or estate agent’s particulars.
- Lease agreements and management information (for leasehold properties).
Consult our conveyancing solicitors in Banbury, Bicester, Cheltenham and Rugby
To speak to our experts today, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We have offices in Banbury, Bicester, Cheltenham, and Rugby, working with clients across Coventry and Warwickshire, the West Midlands, Oxfordshire and nationwide.
