"The benefits of access to local area information when you move are considerable. By building contacts with local authorities, your Solicitor can deliver Conveyancing with fewer delays, and keep you better informed. In addition, areas of particular concern or relevancy to Hedge End and Botley property are thoroughly investigated."

Local issues considered by Hedge End and Botley Conveyancing Solicitors:

Official Local Authority Searches

If your are planning to purchase a property in Hedge End and Botley your lawyer is required by your lender to get Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for Hedge End and Botley is Eastleigh Borough Council, Civic Offices, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 9YN. Tel: 02380 688 000 or out of hours emergencies on: 01962 865 407

Are you eligible for Hedge End and Botley stamp duty relief?

Around 2,000 wards nationwide are eligible for stamp duty relief. Areas designated are identified by local government ward or electoral divisions. For homes bought for less than £150,000, this relief may be available. Normal rates of stamp duty apply for purchases greater than £150k. For a purchase below the threshold, it is worth making a simple postcode search to find out if a property is in a disadvantaged area. 'Mixed use' property, including a shop with an apartment above, may also receive stamp duty relief.

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 Hedge End and Botley solicitors who requested to be added to their panel. Increasingly however, lenders have lowered the number of firms which they will accept and allow to perform this work. If your Hedge End and Botley 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:

• Try to obtain a mortgage from another lender who will instruct your Conveyancing solicitor.
• Instruct another firm of Conveyancing solicitors who are on your lender's panel to handle your Conveyancing.
• Continue with your present Conveyancing solicitor, but accept that a separate firm will also act for the lender, and that you will have to pay their costs in addition.

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.