When it
comes to moving house, it’s no secret that it can be a stressful and worrying
time with so much to think about. Of course, the anxiety is bound to hit when
thinking about moving to a new location, getting used to a new job, enrolling
children into a new school or just how to even begin decorating or settling in.
Although
these things lie at the back of your mind, many other more pressing worries may
take priority, such as choosing a removals company, where to begin with packing
up your belongings and how exactly a conveyancing solicitor help you.
As a
professional law firm who specialises in buying and selling and conveyancing
law, we understand that there’s a lot to think and things can easily be
forgotten. So, here are a few things to consider when moving house.
Choosing the right removals company
A removals
company can really help you when it comes to collecting and transporting your
belongings from your old house to your new abode - and we’re not just talking a
few cardboard boxes. From big and bulky bits of furniture such as wardrobes or
a piano to precious and sentimental items such as antique vases or paintings, a
removals company can provide packing services for all manner of items. So, when
it comes to choosing a reputable removals company, here are a few things to
think about:
● Services
- try
and find a company that can tailor their services to your needs. Do they offer
a packing service? Do they provide long and short term storage?
● Recommendations and testimonials
- visit their website or social media pages to see if there
are any reviews or testimonials written by previous customers.
● Word of mouth
-
if using a local company, chances are someone you know or a mutual friend may
have used them before. Ask around in your social circle and try and get some
first-hand reviews.
● Accreditation
- use a removals company who is part of and has been accredited by the British Association of Removers.
Who to inform about your move
When
preoccupied with packing, removals and conveyancing solicitors, it can be easy
to overlook some important little things, such as who exactly needs to know
about your move.
● Royal Mail
-
Royal Mail offers a redirect service
in advance to your
move (three, six or 12 months prior).
● Electoral roll
-
you’ll need to update your address on the electoral roll as you won’t be able
to vote in any major local or national elections due to not receiving your poll
cards. Registering can help improve your credit rating too, as it’ll match up
with all other official records.
● Banks
- avoid
identity theft or fraud by informing your bank(s) of your new address. This
will ensure any new debit cards, credit cards and pin numbers are sent to you,
along with any bank changes, saving accounts details and statements.
● Utility companies
- ensure you’re staying on the right side of payments and the law by
changing your address with your utility companies. This will probably happen
regardless if you want your new home to have electricity, gas etc.
● Other
-
remember to change your address for any extra areas such as magazine
subscriptions, delivery services, online selling websites (eBay, Amazon etc)
and your TV license.
Property law and using a conveyancing solicitor
You may be
wondering what exactly is conveyancing, what does a solicitor do and will I
need one for my moving process? As experts in conveyancing law, we’re here to
help answer your questions.
What is conveyancing?
Simply put,
conveyancing is the legal process of buying and selling a property and is a
term to describe the services that are carried out by a solicitor to transfer
the ownership of a property from one person to another. A conveyancing
solicitor can represent either the buyer or seller (along with landlords and
tenants).
What does a conveyancing solicitor do?
A
conveyancing solicitor, as you might expect, helps oversee the buying, selling
and transfer of property, from the initial sale to the exchanging of contracts.
The process can take from anywhere to a few months to a whole year, so a
solicitor can deal with any complications during this time, allowing you to
simply focus on what’s important to you. Here are the ways in which a
conveyancing solicitor can help:
● Contracts
- liaising with the other party’s
solicitors regarding the signing and exchange of contracts.
● Deeds
- preparing statements and the
transfer of deeds for completion and signatures.
● Searches and surveys
- they can carry out necessary local
authority searches and environmental surveys on a property, as well as being
able to analyse the results.
● Mortgages
- liaising with mortgage providers
regarding payments and forwarding on any property deeds to them.
● Land Registry and HMRC
- dealing with all relevant
government departments for you including HMRC, paying Stamp Duty Land Tax and
proving the transfer of ownership to the Land Registry.
● Deposits
- transferring any property deposits
that may need to be paid to the conveyancing solicitor of the seller.
Do I need a conveyancing solicitor?
It isn’t a
legal requirement to use a conveyancing solicitor and the alternative is to do
it yourself. If you are considering going down the DIY conveyancing route, then
you will be responsible for carrying out all of these tasks. Furthermore,
depending on the type of house sale you are involved in, there are a few extra
complexities to be taken into consideration. Some mortgage providers insist
that you use a licensed and professional solicitor and law firm to protect
their interests. Also, you won’t be insured for any mistakes or oversights and
this could open up the possibility of you being sued or taken to court later
on.
How much are conveyancing fees?
When it
comes to conveyancing solicitors fees, quality is key. Property law, along with
any area of the law, is a complicated process and you’ll want to make sure
everything is done correctly and to a high standard. Begin asking around about
rates and quotes, but don’t let high fees put you off nor low fees attract you
either. Instead, base your decision on reviews, the feeling you get from
talking and meeting with them and their legal expertise.
Hawley & Rodgers - experts in conveyancing
law
As the
biggest and most important purchase of your life, you’ll want to ensure
everything goes smoothly and correctly, setting you up for a strong future.
This is why you should consider the help of professional and high-quality
solicitors who specialise in conveyancing law who can help make the moving
process so much easier for you.
With five
offices in and around Nottingham and Loughborough, we are able to help and
support many people and take the load off when it comes to buying and selling, any contracts,
mortgages and much more. Explore our online conveyancing page to find out more,
or contact
our expert legal team today.
