Luton Conveyancing Solicitor tips for buyers in Luton

Conservation Areas in Luton

Luton is fortunate in having many fine buildings which are distinguished by their architecture, landscape and history, creating an attractive environment that often is the product of several different eras. These areas are important examples of Luton's social, cultural and aesthetic history and must be safeguarded from indiscriminate or ill-considered change. Along with many other areas in England and Wales, Luton has  numerous designated conservation areas which vary significantly in, character, style as well as size. 

The various Conservation areas are dotted all around Luton. You should check with your conveyancing lawyer as to whether or not the property you are purchasing is within a conservation area as this may affect your ability to obtain planning permission for alterations to the property.  In some circumstances, it may necessitate specific consent merely for demolition of any part of the property and also affect the ability to prune trees. If you wish to fell, lop or top or uproot trees within a conservation area, you must give Luton council six weeks notice in writing. It is an offence to carry out the work within that period without the consent of the council.

Luton has three primarily commercial use conservation areas: the Town Centre, Plaiters Lea (the former hatting district) and High Town Road (the core of Luton's earliest suburb), plus the primarily residential Rothesay Conservation Area that was designated in 2003.  A major traffic management and environmental enhancement project is about to be implemented in the High Town Road Conservation Area.

There are about a hundred Listed building throughout Luton that are included on the Statutory List of buildings of special architectural or historic interest.  There is one Grade 1 listed: the medieval St. Mary's parish church.  All the others are Grade 2.  Most date from the nineteenth century.  Many other buildings are worthy of protection and there are several Art Deco designs from the period when Luton experienced major growth in the 1920s and 1930s.  The town has 175 non-statutory locally listed buildings. 

Planning Permissions in Luton

Conveyancing solicitors with significant experience in conveyancing should point you to the Luton Council’s web site where you may find planning applications for historic planning documentation not only in respect of your property but also in respect of neighbouring properties as well. 

If you are purchasing a property in Luton why not take advantage of the freely available information for applications that may be applicable to properties within the street where you are proposing to purchase.  Your conveyancing lawyer is not obliged to provide you with information relating to planning applications for surrounding properties so it for you to  check out this information.
New Build Conveyancing in Luton.

If you intend to purchase a newly built property in Luton there is a possibility that there will be restrictions within the deeds relating to parking.  Property lawyers with experience in conveyancing London properties should know where to look to find any such restrictions (it may well be that the restrictions are contained within a planning document known as a Section 104 Agreement, or the Lease of the property).  This may be something that you wish to check with your conveyancing solicitor if your conveyancing is not being conducted by Fridaysmove .

Leasehold Conveyancing in Luton

A significant number of leasehold properties in Luton are managed by the Local Authority of Luton who will also be the landlord of the property.  When buying a leasehold property in Luton managed by the Local Authority  you should specifically look to find out information about future works to your building as the Local Authority will have very detailed plans for future works for all properties which the Local Authority are the freehold owner.  Sometimes major works or service charge works can be very high.  Clearly, you do not want to purchase a property only to find out that there are major works planned as you could be faced with a significant bill shortly after purchase.  Please ensure that your conveyancing solicitor makes appropriate enquiries.

Fridaysmove 's recommended conveyancing lawyers have transacted hundreds of Luton properties over the last few years ( including conveyancing many new build developments.  Should you have any questions please ask to speak to one of our specialist conveyancing lawyers in the Luton Conveyancing team.

The above tips are not intended to be a comprehensive list of investigations that a competent property lawyer would look for and merely represent a sample of the issues that may apply to a conveyancing transaction in Luton.  Fridaysmove would obviously be delighted to represent you on a purchase of a property in Luton but if you do not wish to use our services, then we would still recommend that you engage the services of a property lawyer who is familiar with conveyancing London properties and in particular properties within the Luton area.