"You can maximise your chance of hassle-free Conveyancing in Dartford with area contacts and know-how. Your Property Lawyer will use their working associations with the local authority and other bodies to deliver better results and furthermore, any areas of particular consideration when buying or selling in Dartford will also be examined in detail.

We have assisted home movers throughout Dartford, including Conveyancing in DA1, DA4."

Local issues considered by Dartford Conveyancing Solicitors:

The consequences of your solicitor not being on your Mortgage Lender's panel

Lenders maintain panels of law firms to perform mortgage legal work. While these panels were once open, allowing any firm to join, that is no longer the case. More recently, lenders have begun to remove firms which have either not completed many conveyancing transactions or have failed to meet other criteria. These options are available to any homebuyer whose solicitor is not on their lender's panel; you could either obtain a mortgage from another lender, or instruct another firm of conveyancer who are on the panel. Generally, it is cheaper to have the same firm act both for you and your lender, but you could also choose to persist with both your first choice of lender and solicitor, and pay for a lawyer selected by the lender to carry out the relevant legal work. If you decide to instruct another firm because they are on your lender's panel, you should bear in mind the following:

• The new firm might charge more or may charge additional fees.
• You might still have to pay your old firm for work they have already completed.
• The new firm may have no knowledge of the Dartford area.

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

• Halifax, 8-10, High Street, DA1 1BY - Tel: 08456 814160
• Royal Bank of Scotland, 1-2, Copperfields, Spital St, DA1 2DE - Tel: 01322 294411

The impact of Tree Preservation Orders

Dartford purchasers and owners should be aware that TPO-protected trees cannot be trimmed, pruned or uprooted without council approval. Furthermore, it is a criminal offence to wilfully damage or destroy a tree under a TPO, 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.

How much council tax will I pay?

When you are purchasing a property, your conveyancing solicitor will make enquires on your behalf to establish the council tax banding of the home. Dartford Council is responsible for council tax in Dartford. The bandings for 2012/13 are* -

• Band A - £963
• Band B - £1124
• Band C - £1284
• Band D - £1445
• Band E - £1766
• Band F - £2087
• Band G - £2408
• Band H - £2890

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk