Whether you are buying or selling, awareness of local considerations will positively impact the likelihood of a successful sale or purchase. Our Conveyancing specialists in Woodstock have close working associations with a broad range of local information sources. Issues frequently arising in the region are also taken into consideration, thanks to this local expertise.

We have assisted home movers throughout Woodstock, including Conveyancing in OX20.

Local Authority Searches

If your are purchasing a property in Woodstock a property lawyer is required by your lender to commission Searches (including (Con 29 enquiries, LLC1 and Con29 Part 2). These are submitted on your behalf and provide you with any information affecting the property . The Local Authority for Woodstock is West Oxfordshire District Council, Town Centre Shop, 3 Welch Way, Witney, Oxfordshire, OX28 6JH. Tel: 01993 861 000

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. Lenders have also reduced the size of their panels, setting more restrictive criteria for membership. If your lender does not accept your chosen solicitor, you must make a decision as to how to proceed; you could either obtain a mortgage from another lender, or instruct another firm of conveyancer who are on the panel. Generally, it is cheaper to have the same firm act both for you and your lender, but you could also choose to persist with both your first choice of lender and solicitor, and pay for a lawyer selected by the lender to carry out the relevant legal work. 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.

Looking for a mortgage lender with a branch in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, try:

• Barclays Bank plc, 14, Park St, OX20 1SW - Tel: 0845 7555555

Woodstock 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. For homes bought for less than £150,000, this relief may be available. Above this designated limit of £150k, the normal rates of duty apply, and no further relief may be available. By making a straightforward search by postcode, you can usually determine if a property purchase below £150,000 will benefit, however. 'Mixed use' property, including a shop with an apartment above, may also receive stamp duty relief.