Awareness of an area's issues and concerns can mean the difference between a stress-free move, and a drawn-out and difficult process. Your Property Lawyer will use their working associations with the local authority and other bodies to deliver better results. In addition, areas of concern specific to the Wheatley region will also be examined.

Wheatley Stamp Duty Relief

Designated areas as 'disadvantaged areas' may qualify for relief from stamp duty. In England and Wales, they are based on local government wards and electoral divisions. No stamp duty is due for houses bought in a Wheatley disadvantaged area under the £150k threshold. If an online search cannot determine whether a Wheatley home is located in a disadvantaged area, clarification should be sought from the local council. A postcode search is worth undertaking to determine whether a residence under the £150k threshold is in a Disadvantaged area. However this is not always accurate, and may not work for recently built properties.

Searches

If your are buying a property in Wheatley a property lawyer has to carry out Local Authority Searches. The Local Authority for Wheatley is South Oxfordshire District Council, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8ED. Tel: 01491 823 004

What are the consequences if your solicitor is not on your 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; you can either select a different lender or solicitor. It is possible to continue with your original choices, but your lender will expect you to pay for the legal costs relating to the mortgage. Bear in mind that it is usually more efficient and less expensive for the same firm act for you and your lender. If you choose to remain with your first choice of Wheatley-based solicitor, consider the following:

• Your lenders will instruct another firm, and you will have to pay their costs in addition to your own
• Your solicitor will have to send documents and information to the other solicitors, and wait for a response, which can cause delays
• Your case will be one of many which the lender's solicitors are dealing with, so it will be more difficult to engineer any priority treatment
• You cannot contact these solicitors directly, as they will be acting for the lender, not for you