"There a several benefits of local information when buying or selling in Havant. Our Solicitors' maintain a network of Havant contacts. In addition, areas of concern specific to the Havant region will also be examined.

We have assisted home movers throughout Havant, including Conveyancing in PO9."

Local issues considered by Havant Conveyancing Solicitors:

Disadvantaged Areas in Havant

Stamp duty relief may be available for property purchases in Havant labelled as 'disadvantaged areas'. In England and Wales, they are based on local government wards and electoral divisions. As the areas which have been designated are based on local authority electoral wards, they do not always coincide with postcode districts. The postcode search tool cannot always be relied on to predict eligibility. Note that normal rates of duty apply sales above £150,000. A postcode search is worth undertaking to determine whether a residence under the £150k threshold is in a Disadvantaged area. Note that homes built very recently may also fail to show up on a search, even if they are technically eligible.

Disadvantaged areas in Havant include Barncroft, Battins, Bondfields, Warren Park.

Issues to consider when your lawyer is not on your Lender's panel

Lenders once permitted any solicitors' firm to join their panel. These panels were established so that firms could join and thereby perform legal work on mortgages on behalf of lenders. Increasingly however, lenders have lowered the number of firms which they will accept and allow to perform this work. If your 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.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Havant, Hampshire, try:

• Santander, 7D, West St, PO9 1EH - Tel: 0845 7654321
• NatWest Bank plc, 2, Park Parade, PO9 5AF - Tel: 0845 6002803
• Nationwide Building Society, 9, Park Parade, PO9 5AT - Tel: 0845 2660372
• Lloyds TSB Bank plc, 4, West St, PO9 1PE - Tel: 0845 3000000
• Halifax, 26, West St, PO9 1PG - Tel: 023 9230 7208

Council Tax in Havant

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

• Band A - £959
• Band B - £1119
• Band C - £1278
• Band D - £1438
• Band E - £1758
• Band F - £2078
• Band G - £2397
• Band H - £2877

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk