When buying or selling in Sheffield, who you know matters as much as what you know. Associations with local authorities and other sources of detailed Sheffield issues are maintained by our Solicitors to streamline the Conveyancing process.

We have assisted home movers throughout Sheffield, including Conveyancing in S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9, S10, S11, S12, S13, S17, S20, S21, S26, S35 and S36.

Local issues considered by Sheffield Conveyancing Solicitors:

Shared Ownership in Sheffield

There are a significant number of Shared Ownership Properties in the city. Shared ownership of a property allows someone to purchase a share in a property, instead of buying the property as a whole (usually 25%, 50% or 75%). Typically, a housing association would own the other share of the property. The greater share of the property that you own, the less rent you have to pay.

There is considerably more legal work involved in buying and selling a shared ownership property and most Solicitors will charge significantly more for this type of transaction. With Fridaysmove however, this is all covered as part of our all inclusive fee.

Chancel Repair Liability in Sheffield

Liability for the repair costs of the chancel, or space around the altar, of a church may exist for owners of nearby homes. These upkeep costs can run into £100,000s. Many buyers and conveyancing lawyers argue that enforcement of this liability conflicts with the Human Rights Act, and a great deal of uncertainty surrounds the issue. It is important to note that proximity to a church may be an indicator of chancel liability, but there is no distance that guarantees safety within a parish.

The future of Chancel Repair Liability

Unlike tithes and similar obligations, chancel liability is unlikely to be abolished any time soon. Fortunately, however, churches are required to inform the Land Registry of liable homes by a 2013 deadline. Past this point, they will be unable to make a claim for chancel repairs for a registered property if this declaration was not made prior to the deadline. Buyers should be aware that the situation is less clear for property which remains unregistered at the Land Registry.

Chancel Liability Searches

The Chancel Search, included in our standard search bundle, will confirm the likelihood of any chancel liability for the home in question's parish. The home itself may or may not be specifically affected. Insurance is usually dependent on the size of the home and its value, and consists of a one-off premium. Cover is usually up to 3 million. Indemnity is available for both residential and commercial properties.

Churches in or near Sheffield include Christ Church Central Sheffield, Egerton Hall, Fitzwilliam Street, Sheffield, S1 4JR, Cemetery Road Baptist Church, 11 Napier Street, Sheffield, S11 8HA, and Antioch Community Church, 80 Headford Street, Sheffield, S3 7WB.

Transportation Concerns in Sheffield

Buyers will want to know if major roadwork's are planned in the vicinity of their prospective purchase, which might affect the property. Local authority searches should list changes to parking or speed restrictions, and other significant roadworks. If a search shows that a property is affected, it will be necessary for the buyers Conveyancing Solicitor to contact the relevant highway authority for more details.

Sheffield and South Yorkshire Transport Development Schemes:

We have detailed knowledge of local road and rail schemes that could affect your potential home purchase including Penniston Road, The Inner ring Road and Eccleshal Road.

Environmental Issues

Your ideal home's history may hide health risks and other dangers. Fortunately, an environmental search is there to uncover these.

Your Sheffield Conveyancing Solicitor will usually perform a search of a variety of records of issues, including

• the historical use of the land,
• past contaminants and polluting processes,
• landfill,
• waste treatment sites,
• nearby toxic substances,
• the probability of radon gas, and,
• the risk of subsidence and flooding

As an Environmental Search is a review of data and records held by various sources, it does not cover unknown contaminants or environmental risks. Remediation notices can require a contaminator to clear up any contaminants. Note that if the person responsible cannot be found, the owner of the land may become liable, and be required to pay for the clear up. The technical report behind the environmental searches's conclusions may also be available. If you wish to review this, you should confirm its availability with your solicitor.