Are you moving in Hemel Hempstead?

"In common with similar post-war developments, Hemel Hempstead is laid out as a number of neighbourhoods, separated by parks and open areas such as Gadebridge Park. The original market town still exists, with its historic buildings including St Marys church, which dates back to Norman times.

With its mainline rail station and links with the nearby M1, Hemel Hempstead is ideally placed for anyone wanting to live in a town with good transport links both into London and across the country. Although Hemel Hempstead is often thought of as a 'New Town', constructed after 1946, the locality includes older properties such as Boxmoor which can have complicated legal defects - which your Solicitor will take into consideration.

Choosing a Solicitor familiar with all aspects of Conveyancing in Hemel Hempstead can mean you move in sooner. Fridaysmove has recently worked on sale and purchase Conveyancing in HP1 and HP2 as well as localities such Boxmoor and Bovingdon. For more information call us on 0330 660 0286 or get a quote online.

Read about some of the local issues reported by Hemel Hempstead Conveyancing Solicitors:

Regeneration in Hemel Hempstead:

Hemel 2020 Vision; neighbourhoods for improvement include, Rossgate (Gadebridge), Bellgate, The Heights (Highfield), Queens Square (Adeyfield), Henry Wells Square (Grovehill) and Bennetts Gate (Bennetts End)

Council Tax Rates in Hemel Hempstead

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

• Band A - £964
• Band B - £1125
• Band C - £1286
• Band D - £1447
• Band E - £1768
• Band F - £2089
• Band G - £2411
• Band H - £2893

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk

HS2 disruption to Hemel Hempstead homes

The Government is planning on building a high speed rail link between London and Scotland called High Speed 2 (HS2). The first phase of construction will occur between London and the West Midlands. The line will cross over 20 local authorities, and people are understandably concerned about its impact on the value and enjoyment of their homes. Your conveyancing solicitor will conduct a local authority search which will show if the Hemel Hempstead property is or will be within 200 metres of the proposed railway route. The impact of HS2 can range from compulsory purchase of your home, to noise and other disruption and/or a reduction in the value of your home.

Should you get a more accurate HS2 search?

Properties further than 200m away from the line, and therefore not covered by the relevant local authority search, will nevertheless be affected, and works will last for at least eight years. This may mean long-term and extensive disruption to the enjoyment of your property if you choose to buy in affected parts of Hemel Hempstead. Fortunately, the more detailed HIGHSPEED 2 search encompasses the area within a 1,000 metre radius of a property. 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 you are concerned and want more detailed information you should raise this with your conveyancing solicitor.

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

Properties further than 200m away from the line, and therefore not covered by the relevant local authority search, will nevertheless be affected. A HS2 search is also of relevance to buyers within 200m of the line. For homeowners whose properties are blighted, the government has announced that a new package of compensation. These measures to help those affected by the scheme are expected to be in place by Autumn 2012. Compensation measures will include:

• A refreshed hardship scheme
• A sale and rent back scheme
• A streamlined purchase scheme
• A streamlined small claims scheme for construction damage

In addition, measures to reinforce confidence in properties located above underground parts of the route will also be undertaken. 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.