"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 Kettering contacts. Issues frequently arising in the region are also taken into consideration, thanks to this local expertise.

We have assisted home movers throughout Kettering, including Conveyancing in NN14, NN15, NN16."

Local issues considered by Kettering Conveyancing Solicitors:

Is your prospective new home in Kettering designated as in an at risk conservation area?

Conservation areas are designated by Local Authorities to control change in regions that people want to preserve the character of. However, sadly many are falling into a state of disrepair e.g. alterations to front elevations like removal of original bay windows.

The following conservation areas are reported as at risk:

• Burton Latimer - fair, medium vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Desborough - very bad, medium vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Rothwell - poor, high vulnerability and deteriorating significantly.
• Weekley - fair, medium vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Kettering, Kettering Town Centre - very bad, medium vulnerability and improving.

Contact Cath Harvey on 01536 410333 for more information.

Council Tax Rates in Kettering

During their enquiries, the buyers solicitor will ask the conveyancer acting for the seller to confirm the council tax banding of the property. Council Tax rates for Kettering are set by Kettering Council. The bandings for 2012/13 are* -

• Band A - £953
• Band B - £1112
• Band C - £1270
• Band D - £1429
• Band E - £1747
• Band F - £2065
• Band G - £2382
• Band H - £2859

*Source - www.communities.gov.uk

The impact of HS2 on Kettering property

A high speed rail link between London and Scotland (HS2) is planned by the Government. The first phase is between London and the West Midlands and could be up and running by 2026. However, construction works are due to begin as soon 2017. HS2's affect on property values and the environment is of concern to many Kettering inhabitants. To check whether your property is within 200 metres of the proposed HS2 route, your solicitor will carry out a local authority search. The search will not, however, tell you the exact distance or help you assess the likely impact on your home.

The HS2 Search

Local authorities will only provide information on the proposed HS2 development and route within a 200m radius of a property. It is obvious that properties further away will still be affected by issues such as noise pollution, vibration, construction work and increased traffic, 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 Kettering. 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 Kettering purchase is within 200m, should I be concerned?

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. A more detailed search in these cases will also help you ascertain whether your new home will be affected. 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. Fridaysmove do not intend to comment on the merits of the HS2 scheme.