"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 Camberwell property are thoroughly investigated.

We have assisted home movers throughout Camberwell, including Conveyancing in SE15."

Local issues considered by Camberwell Conveyancing Solicitors:

Camberwell Council Tax Rates

During their enquiries, the buyers solicitor will ask the conveyancer acting for the seller to confirm the council tax banding of the property. Council Tax rates for Camberwell are set by Southwark Council. The bandings for 2012/13 are* -

• Band A - £813
• Band B - £948
• Band C - £1083
• Band D - £1219
• Band E - £1490
• Band F - £1761
• Band G - £2031
• Band H - £2438

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk

Qualifying for stamp duty relief in Camberwell

Around 2,000 wards nationwide are eligible for stamp duty relief. Areas designated are identified by local government ward or electoral divisions. Disadvantaged areas may not precisely match postcode areas, so a postcode search will be insufficient to ensure relief may be available. Note that normal rates of duty apply sales above £150,000. By making a straightforward search by postcode, you can usually determine if a property purchase below £150,000 will benefit, however. This search may not be 100% reliable, particularly in the case of new builds.

Disadvantaged areas in Camberwell include The Lane.

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. Recently, lenders have changed the criteria for the firms which they will accept on their panels. They have also reduced the size of their panels, removing firms which do not carry out much Conveyancing work or which they consider to have proved unsatisfactory in the past. In order to proceed where your lawyer is not on a mortgage lender' s panel, you have the following options:

• Instruct another firm who is on your lender's panel, or,
• Find a mortgage from a different lender

You could also choose to work with your current solicitor, but you will have to pay the lender's costs in addition to your own, as they will instruct a member of their panel. If you instruct a different firm who is on your lender's panel, be aware that their quality and speed of service, along with the cost, may be quite different to that of your first choice. Before instructing another law firm, do your research as you would were they your first choice.