"Knowledge of the local Harpenden area is key to an easier, faster move. Associations with local authorities and other Harpenden information sources, such as water and drainage providers, are maintained by our Solicitors.

We have assisted home movers throughout Harpenden, including Conveyancing in AL5."

Local issues considered by Harpenden Conveyancing Solicitors:

Searches

If your are purchasing a new home in Harpenden your property lawyer is required to apply for Official Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for Harpenden is St Albans District Council, Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3JE. Tel: 01727 866 100

The impact of HS2 on Harpenden property

Planning of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail link between London and the North is now underway. Works are due to start in 2017, with the rail line up to Birmingham going online by 2026. HS2's affect on property values and the environment is of concern to many Harpenden inhabitants. Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct a local authority search to confirm how close the HS2 line lies to your proposed purchase. The exact distance between a residence and the proposed route will be difficult to ascertain reliably, as will be the impact on nearby property.

High Speed 2 (HS2) Searches

Construction work, traffic, noise pollution and vibration are all factors which could affect homes further than two hundred metres from HS2, but a local authority will not reveal this. Lasting for at least 8 years, works may cause severe disruption local Harpenden residents. An informative HIGHSPEED 2 search covers a thousand metre range around a home, to resolve a number of issues. Key questions the HS2 search considers:

• Is the property near the proposed High Speed 2 route from London to the West Midlands?
• How will the route affect the property?
• Is the route in a tunnel, in a cutting, at ground level or on a viaduct?

The HS2 search also includes £10 million indemnity.

If my Harpenden purchase is within 200m, should I be concerned?

Only residences within 200 metres of HS2 construction work and the route itself will be identified during a local authority search. A HS2 search is also of relevance to buyers within 200m of the line. Certainly if the search suggests that your new home will be affected, you should bear in mind that once construction starts and the London to Birmingham HS2 Rail link becomes operational, current compensation legislation for noise and other blight factors (particularly any impact on the enjoyment of a view) can be a very drawn out and often unsatisfactory process. Fridaysmove do not intend to comment on the merits of the scheme, nevertheless, the UKs current planning system, and the time it takes to implement large infrastructure schemes.

Local Council Tax Rates and Bandings

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

• Band A - £981
• Band B - £1145
• Band C - £1309
• Band D - £1472
• Band E - £1799
• Band F - £2126
• Band G - £2454
• Band H - £2944

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk