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Our Services

Conveyancing Solicitors

For most of us, property is likely to be the most expensive purchase during our lifetimes, so it is not surprising that moving home is recognised as one of life’s most stressful events. You want to have certainty over timescales and to avoid delays and other problems along the way. You also want to know how much the process will cost and that there will be no hidden extras or surprises.

At Johnson Astills, our expert conveyancing solicitors aim to remove the anxiety associated with the contractual elements of buying and selling residential property, so you can focus on the more practical elements of your move.  We are also clear and transparent in relation to the costs of moving home.

Our expert conveyancing solicitors can assist you with a wide range of matters associated with the conveyancing process, including buying and selling property, transfer of equities, lease extensions and remortgaging throughout Leicestershire and the East Midlands.

To speak to a member of our team about your conveyancing, please contact our local offices in Leicester and Loughborough or use our contact form to request a call back.

Want to see how much your conveyancing might cost? Request a tailored conveyancing quote.

Why choose our conveyancing solicitors?

Our team’s aim is to make sure that all of your matters are dealt with in a straightforward and efficient manner, ultimately helping you to save time and money.

We place a focus on clear communication with our clients, which means you will be kept up to date during every stage of the conveyancing process. Our team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, whether you want to speak to us in person, over the phone or by email. Whatever your requirements, we will make sure everything you need to know is explained in plain English.

We are able to provide fixed-fee services, as well as online conveyancing, which means you can receive expert advice without having to break the bank or disrupt your busy schedule. You can find out more about our conveyancing fees by taking a look at our pricing guide.

As a firm, we are Lexcel accredited by the Law Society and are proud members of The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), reflecting our extensive expertise with a wide range of property matters and transactions.

Our conveyancing expertise

Buying and selling freehold property

Without the support of a conveyancing expert, the prospect of buying and selling freehold property can seem overwhelming. Our team can make the process of buying or selling your home as easy and straightforward as possible.

We can act on your behalf to draft and review the contract papers involved in your property transaction, exchange contracts, and carry out local authority searches and other property searches.

Remortgaging

Remortgaging is a significant decision, and without expert advice, it may lead to financial issues further down the line. Our property team can help determine whether remortgaging is the right decision for you and your family based on your current situation.

We can help with specific matters related to the remortgaging process, including reviewing the terms of your current mortgage offer, handling the transfer of funds from your new lender to your old lender and updating the lender details with the land registry.

Transfer of equity

There are a number of potential reasons for transferring the equity in your home. Our conveyancing solicitors can use their expertise to guide you through every stage of the often-complex process.

Releasing the equity in your property often involves large sums of money and significant assets changing hands, which is why it is crucial for every step to be completed with the support of an expert conveyancing solicitor to avoid any potential issues arising at a later stage.

Fixed Fee Services

Many of our conveyancing services are provided on a fixed fee basis, which means you can have certainty over the costs involved in your case from the outset.

We are happy to provide a no obligation upfront quote or estimate, which will provide a clear breakdown of all of the costs involved in the transaction.

For more complicated conveyancing matters, we may work to a pre-agreed hourly rate, but all of the expenditure will be disclosed before any billable work is carried out on your case. This means that you will always have complete control over the costs involved in your transaction while receiving flexible support, which will ensure every detail is fully taken care of.

You can find out more about how much your conveyancing might cost by taking a look at our pricing guide or, alternatively, requesting a tailored quote.

Online Conveyancing

We offer an online conveyancing service which allows you to manage your conveyancing case remotely, regardless of where you are based in the UK and will mean you won’t need to take time away from any other commitments to deal with your conveyancing case.

Our property team can handle your case over the phone and by email, and you can rest assured that our service is supported by a range of secure, modern technologies that will keep your personal details safe.

Frequently asked questions about residential conveyancing

What is involved in the conveyancing process?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring the ownership of a property from one person to another. Residential conveyancing involves several steps, such as title searches, property inspections and the preparation of legal documents, including contracts, deeds and transfer documents. The process is usually facilitated by a conveyancer or a residential conveyancing solicitor.

How long does conveyancing take?

Giving an exact timescale for the conveyancing process can be tricky due to the different variables that can influence how long it takes. These can include how complicated the transaction is, how responsive the parties involved are, as well as the proficiency of the residential conveyancing solicitors involved.

In general, the process takes between 8-12 weeks, but again, this is dependent on many factors, including how quickly a solicitor for buying a house is instructed. If the transaction is relatively simple and all parties work together effectively, it can conclude within 4-6 weeks. Conversely, if there are issues such as property chains or other unforeseen problems, it can take even longer.

How much will conveyancing cost?

The cost of conveyancing can vary depending on multiple factors, such as the value of the property being bought or sold, how complex the transaction is as well as the experience and expertise of the residential conveyancing solicitors that you have hired.

In the UK, fees generally range between £500 to £1500 depending on the variables above. There may also be additional costs, ranging from disbursements to land registry fees, searches and stamp duty tax.

The eventual cost of the conveyancing solicitors that you hire will depend on your specific requirements. We always recommend speaking to one of our experienced team to make sure that nothing goes wrong during the transaction and to ensure that you get the best conveyancing advice for your money.

At Johnson Astills, we do our best to provide our conveyancing advice and service at a fixed fee, where we provide you with a quote upfront, with a clear breakdown of every cost involved. This ensures complete transparency so you can make a clear and informed decision about the final cost.

When it comes to more complex conveyancing work, we are happy to negotiate a fixed hourly rate, which gives you the flexibility and support that you require in order for us to take care of all the details.

Who owns the house after the exchange of contracts?

After both parties have exchanged contracts during the conveyancing process, the buyer has contracted to become the legal owner of the property on the completion date.

Once completion has taken place, the buyer will take on all responsibilities and rights associated with owning the property. This includes paying the mortgage, maintaining the property and paying the property taxes.

It's important to be aware that until completion day takes place, either one of the parties can pull out of the transaction, although they will likely face legal and/or financial consequences as a result.

Contact our conveyancing solicitors in Leicester & Loughborough

To receive tailored conveyancing advice, get in touch with residential conveyancing solicitors by contacting our local offices in Leicester and Loughborough, or feel free to use our contact form to request a call back.