Awareness of an area's issues and concerns can mean the difference between a stress-free move, and a drawn-out and difficult process. Fridaysmove-recommended Solicitors maintain close links with relevant local authorities and they are highly familiar with areas needing special consideration across Dulwich.

Are you eligible for Dulwich stamp duty relief?

Around 2,000 wards nationwide are eligible for stamp duty relief. In England and Wales, they are based on local government wards and electoral divisions. Residential purchases under £150,000 may be eligible for stamp duty relief. Normal rates of stamp duty apply for purchases greater than £150k. A postcode search is worth undertaking to determine whether a residence under the £150k threshold is in a Disadvantaged area. 'Mixed use' property, including a shop with an apartment above, may also receive stamp duty relief.

Searches in Dulwich

If your are planning to purchase a new home in Dulwich a conveyancer is required by your lender to conduct Official Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for Dulwich is London Borough of Southwark Council, Town Hall, Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UB. Tel: 020 7525 5004

My solicitor is not on my Lender's panel - what do I do?

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. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. If a lender will not instruct a firm you have picked to perform your legal work, you have the following choices:

• 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. Be aware of the following, if you choose to remain with your first choice of law firm:

• You must now pay the lender's costs in addition to your own
• You will not get any priority from the lender's solicitors, as they will have many other cases underway, and you are unable contact these solicitors directly