For a hassle-free sale or purchase in Raynes Park, local knowledge matters. Associations with local authorities and other Raynes Park information sources, such as water and drainage providers, are maintained by our Solicitors and they pay close attention to issues commonly arising during Raynes Park transactions.

Does your Raynes Park purchase qualify for Stamp Duty Relief?

Around 2,000 wards nationwide are eligible for stamp duty relief, using local government wards to delineate boundaries. 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. If it is suspected that a property is located in a disadvantaged area, further enquiries are required to be made to the local council or authority. That said, for any purchase below £150,000, 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.

Official Searches in Raynes Park

If your are intending to buy a new home in Raynes Park your conveyancing lawyer is required by your lender to apply to the council for Official Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for Raynes Park is London Borough of Merton Council, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5DX. Tel: 020 8274 4905

What are the consequences if your solicitor is not on your lender's panel?

Panels of solicitors are maintained by mortgage lenders in order to undertake legal work on mortgaged properties. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. If your lender does not accept your chosen solicitor, you must make a decision as to how to proceed:

• 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. Issues to consider if you intend to swap to a firm on the panel:

• The second firm may have a different fee structure, or higher fees
• Work which the first solicitor has completed already may need to be paid for regardless of your decision.
• Your new conveyancing solicitor may have weaker local knowledge.