Stapleford - It's not just what you know, it's who you know. Associations with local authorities and other sources of detailed Stapleford issues are maintained by our Solicitors to streamline the Conveyancing process and furthermore, any areas of particular consideration when buying or selling in Stapleford will also be examined in detail.

Are you eligible for Stapleford stamp duty relief?

The government has designated certain areas as 'disadvantaged areas' and property purchases in such areas may qualify for relief from stamp duty. These are based on electoral divisions and local government wards. No stamp duty is payable on residential property purchases where the price paid is under £150,000. 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. A postcode search will usually determine whether a home being sold for less than the threshold is eligible. Call for more information regarding Stapleford disadvantaged areas, and to determine if your purchase is affected.

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

Lenders once permitted any solicitors' firm to join their panel. These panels were established so that firms could join and thereby perform legal work on mortgages on behalf of lenders. Increasingly however, lenders have lowered the number of firms which they will accept and allow to perform this work. These options are available to any homebuyer whose solicitor is not on their lender's panel:

• 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. 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.