"Stevenage - It's not just what you know, it's who you know. Our Solicitors' maintain a network of Stevenage contacts. In addition, areas of particular concern or relevancy to Stevenage property are thoroughly investigated.

We have assisted home movers throughout Stevenage, including Conveyancing in SG1, SG2."

Local issues considered by Stevenage Conveyancing Solicitors:

Stevenage Tree Preservation Orders

Trees in Stevenage subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) may not be cut down, uprooted or lopped without consent from the local council, and causing wilful damage or destruction of a protected tree is a criminal offence. It is recommended that the advice of a tree surgeon or similar expert is obtained prior to attempting work on a protected tree, even if council consent is granted. Removing a Stevenage tree planted under a planning order could lead to the council serving an enforcement notice on the property owner.

Fridaysmove property lawyers in Stevenage are on all UK mortgage lender panels, including:

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

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. If your lender does not accept your chosen solicitor, you must make a decision as to how to proceed:

• 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. If you instruct a different firm who is on your lender's panel, be aware that their quality and speed of service, along with the cost, may be quite different to that of your first choice. Before instructing another law firm, do your research as you would were they your first choice.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, try:

• Halifax, 1St Floor, 97-99, Queensway, SG1 1EA - Tel: 08456 814139
• Santander, 96-98, Queensway, SG1 1EG - Tel: 0845 7654321
• Lloyds TSB Bank plc, 35-37, Market Place, SG1 1DH - Tel: 0845 3000000
• Nationwide Building Society, 17-21, Queensway, SG1 1DA - Tel: 0845 2660602

Disadvantaged Areas in Stevenage

Nearly two thousand areas in England and Wales are eligible for stamp duty relief. These are based on electoral divisions and local government wards. For homes bought for less than £150,000, this relief may be available. It may be necessary to make further enquiries with the local council, if initial searches fail to identify whether a residence lies in a disadvantaged area. A postcode search will usually determine whether a home being sold for less than the threshold is eligible. Call for more information regarding Stevenage disadvantaged areas, and to determine if your purchase is affected.