Knowledge of the local West Yorkshire area is key to an easier, faster move. Relevant and up-to-date area information is gathered by our Property Lawyers thanks to their network of West Yorkshire contacts. They are also cognisant of the issues and considerations native to the area.

We have assisted home movers throughout West Yorkshire, including Conveyancing in BD1, BD2, BD3, HD1, HD2, HX1, HX2, LS1, LS2, OL14, WF1, WF2, WF5.

West Yorkshire Listed Buildings

Confirmation of a the status of a listed building will be discovered by a buyer's Conveyancing Solicitor, as part of the local search. Any planning consents relating to a home will be revealed in a local search, as will other relevant planning information. Copies of all listed building consents will be required during a local search, and if the seller does not have these they will have to be obtained from the local council. Repair and maintenance work may have to be carried out by specialist contractors, leading to higher costs.

Alternatively, properties may be listed as scheduled monuments, but will still have strict guidelines governing planned works. Monuments and listed buildings in West Yorkshire include Rothwell Castle.

Do you know if your West Yorkshire dream home is in an Engish Heritage at risk conservation area?

Are you purchasing a home in a West Yorkshire conservation area? Conservation areas are defined by Local Councils to preside over change in regions that people wish to protect from decay. Unfortunately however, many are not being properly managed e.g. bill boards.

The following conservation areas are reported as at risk:

• Akroydon - poor, medium vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Elland - very bad, low vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Todmorden - poor, low vulnerability and deteriorating.
• Holmfirth - poor, high vulnerability and no significant change.
• Dewsbury - very bad, medium vulnerability and deteriorating.

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

Mortgage lenders maintain panels of solicitors who they will instruct to carry out legal work on mortgages. At one time, many lenders, especially the large banks, were prepared to instruct any firm of solicitors who asked to be placed on their panel. More recently, lenders have begun to remove firms which have either not completed many conveyancing transactions or have failed to meet other 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. 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.