"Redhill - It's not just what you know, it's who you know. Our Property Lawyers use their local knowledge and expertise to improve your home-moving experience."

Local issues considered by Redhill Conveyancing Solicitors:

The consequences of your solicitor not being on your Mortgage Lender's panel

Many lenders, and particularly nationwide banks, were once willing to instruct any solicitors who requested to be added to their panel. However, mortgage lenders have started removing firms which do not carry out much work for them, or have not met certain additional criteria. If your lender does not accept your chosen solicitor, you must make a decision as to how to proceed:

• Obtain a mortgage from a less restrictive lender
• Instruct a solicitor whom your lender accepts
• Pay the lenders costs for their solicitor in addition to your own

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. If you decide to instruct another firm because they are on your lender's panel, you should bear in mind the following:

• The new firm might charge more or may charge additional fees.
• You might still have to pay your old firm for work they have already completed.
• The new firm may have no knowledge of the Redhill area.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Redhill, Surrey, try:

• Nationwide Building Society, 40, Station Rd, RH1 1QW - Tel: 0845 2660302
• NatWest Bank plc, 39, Station Rd, RH1 1QN - Tel: 0845 6002803
• Lloyds TSB Bank plc, 1, London Rd, RH1 1ND - Tel: 0845 3000000
• Halifax, 31, High St, RH1 1RG - Tel: 01737 792725
• Barclays Bank plc, 80-84, Station Rd, RH1 1PW - Tel: 0845 7555555

Qualifying for stamp duty relief in Redhill

Nearly two thousand areas in England and Wales are eligible for stamp duty relief. Local government wards or electoral divisions are used to define the boundaries of these. For homes bought for less than £150,000, this relief may be available. Above £150k, no stamp duty relief may be available. A postcode search is worth undertaking to determine whether a residence under the £150k threshold is in a Disadvantaged area. 'Mixed use' property, including a shop with an apartment above, may also receive stamp duty relief.

TPOs in Redhill

Redhill purchasers and owners should be aware that TPO-protected trees cannot be trimmed, pruned or uprooted without council approval. Furthermore, it is a criminal offence to wilfully damage or destroy a tree under a TPO. In order to approve consent, the local authority may request that replacement trees be planted. If a newer property is affected by a planning condition imposed upon the original builders, it would be a breach of planning control to remove any trees this condition required the developer to plant.