"Radlett - It's not just what you know, it's who you know. Associations with local authorities and other Radlett information sources, such as water and drainage providers, are maintained by our Solicitors and furthermore, any areas of particular consideration when buying or selling in Radlett will also be examined in detail."

Local issues considered by Radlett Conveyancing Solicitors:

Searches

If your are buying a property in Radlett your lawyer is required by your lender to apply to the council for Searches. The Local Authority for Radlett is Hertsmere Borough Council, Civic Offices, Elstree Way, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1WA. Tel: 020 8207 2277

Radlett Stamp Duty Relief

Regions within Radlett have been qualified as 'disadvantaged areas' eligible for stamp duty relief. In England and Wales, they are based on electoral wards. These disadvantaged areas do not always coincide with postcode districts, so the postcode search tool cannot always be relied on. If an online search cannot determine whether a Radlett home is located in a disadvantaged area, clarification should be sought from the local council. A postcode search is worth undertaking to determine whether a residence under the £150k threshold is in a Disadvantaged area. However this is not always accurate, and may not work for recently built properties.

My solicitor is not on my Lender's panel - what do I do?

Many lenders, and particularly nationwide banks, were once willing to instruct any solicitors who requested to be added to their panel. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. In order to proceed where your lawyer is not on a mortgage lender' s panel, you have the following options:

• 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. 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 Radlett, Hertfordshire, try:

• NatWest Bank plc, 84, Watling St, WD7 7AB - Tel: 0845 6002803
• Barclays Bank plc, 221, Watling St, WD7 7AJ - Tel: 0845 7555555