Whether you are just about to make an offer on your very first house or it has been so long since you last bought a property that you cannot remember exactly what is involved from a legal aspect, we hope this brief guide will come in handy. In it, we outline the basic legal process of buying a property in Kent and offer a few pointers for those who wish to make the experience as easy as possible.
What Property Conveyancing Means to You
In simple terms, conveyancing normally covers the legal transfer of a property deed when you buy a home, as well as the transfer of money between you and the seller: the settlement. These are the two main components of a property transaction as far as the law is concerned and can most easily be managed with the help of experienced property lawyers such as ourselves. The law applies to all properties in the same way so whether you are buying a large detached residence in Bearsted, a semi-detached house in Kings Hill or a small flat in Maidstone, the same paperwork will need to be completed:
Searches – Your conveyancing team will carry out the necessary searches to establish whether there are any potential issues with the legal ownership of the property you wish to buy or any planning constraints that may affect what you can do with it in the future.
Property Survey – Your lender will insist on a survey, to make sure that the property you are buying is in good condition and has no serious faults. You can either find your own surveyor or, if you prefer, your conveyancers can do so on your behalf. There are three main types of survey from which to choose, with the cost rising as more details are included.
Contract of Sale – This will outline all conditions attached to the sale and should be worded in such a way as to avoid any disputes after the sale has been completed. It is the responsibility of the seller to provide the contract of sale but you should engage the services of a team of property solicitors to look it over and make sure it is equitable before you sign. When you sign the contract, you will need to pay the deposit on the property so you need to be absolutely sure that you are happy with the terms that it contains.
Completion – This is the point at which the deeds are transferred into your name, the keys to the property are handed over and you pay the balance of the agreed sale price. You will also need to pay stamp duty and settle your solicitor’s bill at this point.
If you would like to discuss any particular of property law with a member of our team or you would like to engage our services to complete a property transaction in the area on your behalf, please feel free to make an appointment to visit our offices, which can be found at 37 High Street, Maidstone ME14 1JH.
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