Buying or selling property in Clapton? Local know-how will make the difference. Our Conveyancing specialists in Clapton have close working associations with a broad range of local information sources. In addition, areas of particular concern or relevancy to Clapton property are thoroughly investigated.

Official Local Authority Searches in Clapton

If your are intending to purchase a home in Clapton a Solicitor will conduct Official Local Authority Searches. These enquiries offer information affecting the property . The Local Authority for Clapton is London Borough of Hackney Council, Hackney Service Centre, 1 Hillman Street, London, E8 1DY. Tel: 020 8356 3000 or out of hours emergencies on: 01909 501 999

Are you eligible for Clapton stamp duty relief?

Around 2,000 wards nationwide are eligible for stamp duty relief. These are based on electoral divisions and local government wards. For homes bought for less than £150,000, this relief may be available. If it is thought that a property is in a disadvantaged area, but an online search does not confirm this, it may be necessary to make further enquiries with the local council. A postcode search will usually determine whether a home being sold for less than the threshold is eligible. For more information regarding Clapton disadvantaged areas, or to determine if your prospective purchase qualifies, call us today.

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. More recently, lenders have begun to remove firms which have either not completed many conveyancing transactions or have failed to meet other criteria. If your Clapton conveyancing solicitor is not on your preferred lender's panel, then the lender will not instruct that firm to act in connection with the mortgage. You then have a choice:

• 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. Consider these points if you choose to change firms:

• Additional fees may be charged by the new firm which your original lawyers considered to be inclusive.
• Your second choice of firm may have less local knowledge, or be harder to meet in person.