The benefits of access to local knowledge when you move are considerable. Relevant and up-to-date area information is gathered by our Property Lawyers thanks to their network of East Grinstead contacts. Issues frequently arising in the region are also taken into consideration, thanks to this local expertise.

We have assisted home movers throughout East Grinstead, including Conveyancing in RH19.

Does your East Grinstead purchase qualify for Stamp Duty Relief?

Designated areas as 'disadvantaged areas' may qualify for relief from stamp duty. In England and Wales, they are based on electoral wards. These wards do not always coincide with postcode districts, so the postcode search tool cannot always be relied on. It may be necessary to make further enquiries with the local council, if initial searches fail to identify whether a residence lies in a disadvantaged area. 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. This relief is not generally available on commercial property, but some relief may be available for 'mixed use' premises such as a shop with a flat above.

Searches in East Grinstead

If your are planning to purchase a new home in East Grinstead your conveyancing lawyer is required to conduct Official Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for East Grinstead is Mid Sussex District Council, Oaklands, Oaklands Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1SS. Tel: 01444 458 166

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

Many lenders, and particularly nationwide banks, were once willing to instruct any solicitors who requested to be added to their panel. More recently, lenders have begun to remove firms which have either not completed many conveyancing transactions or have failed to meet other criteria. To proceed where your East Grinstead 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. 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.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in East Grinstead, West Sussex, try:

• Barclays Bank plc, 17-21, High St, RH19 3AH - Tel: 0845 7555555
• Lloyds TSB Bank plc, 1-3, London Rd, RH19 1AH - Tel: 0845 3000000
• NatWest Bank plc, 15, London Rd, RH19 1AJ - Tel: 0845 6002803
• Santander, 56-58, London Rd, RH19 1BJ - Tel: 0845 7654321