"Awareness of local issues and concerns can mean the difference between a stress-free move, and a drawn-out and difficult process. Our Property Lawyers use their local knowledge and expertise to improve your home-moving experience.

We have assisted home movers throughout Abingdon, including Conveyancing in OX13."

Local issues considered by Abingdon Conveyancing Solicitors:

The impact of Tree Preservation Orders

Contrary to the name, TPOs (tree preservation orders) in Abingdon do not only cover older, single trees. Hedgerows or groups of trees may also be legally protected in this fashion, but fortunately consent is not required for cutting down or carrying out work on trees which are dead or dying or have become dangerous. Trees planted in accordance with a condition placed on new build property developers are not necessarily subject to a TPO. Obtaining a copy of any TPOs affecting a Abingdon home before it is marketed will make it easier for copies to be sent to a buyer's Conveyancing Solicitor with the draft contract.

Issues to consider when your lawyer is not on your Lender's panel

Panels of solicitors are maintained by mortgage lenders in order to undertake legal work on mortgaged properties. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. To proceed where your Abingdon lawyer is not on a mortgage lender' s panel, you have the following options:

• Try to obtain a mortgage from another lender who will instruct your Conveyancing solicitor.
• Instruct another firm of Conveyancing solicitors who are on your lender's panel to handle your Conveyancing.
• Continue with your present Conveyancing solicitor, but accept that a separate firm will also act for the lender, and that you will have to pay their costs in addition.

It is usually cheaper to have the same firm act both for you and your lender, and carry out all the conveyancing work in connection with a purchase and the mortgage.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, try:

• Halifax, 8, High St, OX14 5DZ - Tel: 01235 707015
• Santander, 23, Bury St, OX14 3QT - Tel: 0845 7654321
• NatWest Bank plc, 11, Market Place, OX14 3HH - Tel: 0845 6002803
• Nationwide Building Society, 12, High St, OX14 5SB - Tel: 0845 2660357

Listed Buildings in Abingdon

A Listed Building is one that has been listed by the government as being of special architectural or historic merit. A building may be considered important for its:

• architectural design
• decoration
• craftsmanship

A purchaser's conveyancing solicitor will make enquiries about any works which the seller or any previous owner has carried out since the property was listed. Owners of flats or apartments in a listed building should bear in mind that the building maintenance costs of such properties may be higher than for purpose-built blocks.

Alternatively, properties may be listed as scheduled monuments, but will still have strict guidelines governing planned works. Monuments and listed buildings in Abingdon include Settlement site N of Cow Lane.