"Whether you are buying or selling, awareness of local considerations will positively impact the likelihood of a successful sale or purchase. Fridaysmove-recommended Solicitors maintain close links with relevant local authorities. In addition, areas of particular concern or relevancy to Ashford property are thoroughly investigated.

We have assisted home movers throughout Ashford, including Conveyancing in TN23, TN24, TW15."

Local issues considered by Ashford Conveyancing Solicitors:

Disadvantaged Areas in Ashford

Purchases of property in Ashford 'disadvantaged areas' are eligible for stamp duty. Local government wards or electoral divisions are used to define the boundaries of these. Because designated regions for relief are defined according to electoral wards, a postcode search is no guarantee a property will be eligible. Above this designated limit of £150k, the normal rates of duty apply, and no further relief may be available. That said, for any purchase below £150,000, it is worth making a simple postcode search to find out if a property is in a Disadvantaged area. Call for more information regarding Ashford disadvantaged areas, and to determine if your purchase is affected.

Disadvantaged areas in Ashford include Stanhope.

Council Tax in Ashford

The sellers conveyancing solicitor will confirm the council tax banding and rates for the house or flat being sold. Ashford Council Tax rates are set by Ashford Council. 2012/13 bandings are* -

• Band A - £942
• Band B - £1099
• Band C - £1256
• Band D - £1413
• Band E - £1727
• Band F - £2042
• Band G - £2356
• Band H - £2827

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk

What are the consequences if your solicitor is not on your lender's panel?

Mortgage lenders maintain panels of solicitors who they will instruct to carry out legal work on mortgages. At one time, many lenders, especially the large banks, were prepared to instruct any firm of solicitors who asked to be placed on their panel. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. To proceed where your Ashford lawyer is not on a mortgage lender' s panel, you have the following options:

• Obtain a mortgage from a less restrictive lender
• Instruct a solicitor whom your lender accepts
• Pay the lenders costs for their solicitor in addition to your own

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. Issues to consider if you intend to swap to a firm on the panel:

• The second firm may have a different fee structure, or higher fees
• Work which the first solicitor has completed already may need to be paid for regardless of your decision.
• Your new conveyancing solicitor may have weaker local knowledge.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Ashford, Kent, try:

• Halifax, 1, Castle Street, TN23 1JQ - Tel: 08456 814123
• Lloyds TSB Bank plc, 81, High St, TN24 8SS - Tel: 0845 3000000
• NatWest Bank plc, 20, High St, TN24 8SH - Tel: 0845 6002803
• Santander, 60-62, High St, TN24 8SZ - Tel: 0845 7654321