Residential Property Solicitors

Whether you are buying, selling, re-mortgaging, or transferring property, we understand that the conveyancing process can be a very daunting and stressful time, particularly if it is your first time.

At Biscoes, our specialist residential property team has years of collective experience and not only deals with buying, selling, remortgaging, and transferring property but also has considerable experience with lease extensions, equity release, and registering property for the first time.

Our conveyancing lawyers are friendly, knowledgeable and proactive, delivering accessible legal support which meets your current needs and future aspirations.

Specifically, our residential property lawyers can help you with the following matters:

Buying a Property
Selling a Property
First Time Buyers
New Build Purchases
Auction Sales and Purchases
Buy to Let Properties
Buying the Freehold and Extending a Lease
Changing Ownership Arrangements/ Transfer of Equity
Equity Release Mortgages
High Value Properties
Mortgaging and Remortgaging
Registering Property for the First Time
Selling the Freehold and the Right of First Refusal

Get in touch with our residential property lawyers

If you would like to get in touch with our residential property team, you can request a tailored quote via our online calculator. Alternatively, please call 02392 660261. or fill out this simple contact form, and we will respond promptly.

Why work with our residential property lawyers?

We have the benefit of an expansive firm of inter-working accomplished departments across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and beyond, combined with focused regional experience and community connections for each of our local offices.

Our experience has ensured that we have been able to maintain close-working relationships with a range of residential property law professionals who communicate with us to help your cases proceeds efficiently, including estate agents, mortgage brokers, surveyors and lenders.

When you work with our team, you will benefit from the support of a designated lawyer who will guide you through the process and oversee the transaction from the point of instruction through to completion. We also have an internal locum who provides cover in the event your lawyer is unwell or on holiday, to ensure there is no delay to your matter.

No matter the circumstances, we will always keep you up-to-date throughout the transaction and take the time to explain everything to you, ensuring that you understand the process.

Biscoes is a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (“CQS”), a highly recognised membership exclusive to firms who are already members of the Law Society, highlighting our team’s expertise. The scheme is recognised by various financial bodies such as the Council of Mortgage Lenders and the Building Societies Association, meaning that we are able to deal with the vast majority of mortgage lenders on your behalf.

We also proudly hold the prestigious Lexcel accreditation, a testament to our excellence in legal practice management and outstanding client care.

Our residential property services

Buying a Property

A residential property lawyer is invaluable when buying property, whether freehold, leasehold, new build, or any other type.

Each purchase has individual needs and details to cover. Our expert team of lawyers will liaise with your mortgage lender, estate agents, and other third parties to keep the process moving, updating you at each step.

Selling a Property

Selling property is a huge opportunity for financial gain, but the process itself can be legally complicated and stressful.

Our team understand what makes property sales tricky, and from that experience has collective and individual expertise in making the transaction go smoothly and fortuitously. Our dedicated property sales team cover all sorts of sales and are backed up by our in-house locum.

First Time Buyers

Buying your first home is a big step. At Biscoes, we understand how excited and nervous you might be. Crucially, we can anticipate and proactively navigate delays and the needs of third-party representatives like your mortgage brokers and estate agents.

For specialist help, reach out to our first-time buyer property lawyers, who benefit from an internal locum to ensure that you are doubly supported.

New Build Purchases

There are some substantial differences between purchasing a new build property versus an established property. Whether you do or don’t have experience in the latter, a professional new build purchase lawyer can take some of the stress out of the transaction, allowing you to focus on your larger goals.

Auction Sales and Purchases

In recent years, buying and selling property through the modern auction method has become increasingly popular. At any stage of the auction process, having a specialist auction sales and purchases conveyancing lawyer at your side can be of immediate and crucial benefit.

Whilst our many years of experience cover all parts of auctions in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area, our team truly specialises in pre-auction investigations and ensuring that the property is a beneficial investment for you.

We are able to offer you an initial breakdown of the likely involved costs and are eager to answer any questions you may have.

Buy to Let Properties

With buy to let transactions there is more to consider, meaning that a skilled residential conveyancing lawyer is a vital asset. We represent first-time investors with comprehensive and proactive advice, and also property professionals, helping you build your portfolio.

Rest assured that you won’t be left at a loose end if your buy to let lawyer becomes unwell as our internal locum will take up the reigns.

Buying the Freehold and Extending a Lease

The lease extension and freehold purchase process (sometimes called enfranchisement) can be rather daunting, no matter whether you are a landlord/freeholder, flat owner/leaseholder, management company, or part of a residents’ association.

Our lawyers for buying freehold and extending leases are always up-to-date with recent changes to the ever-updating property law, and make consistent efforts to help you navigate the complex and strict statutory time frames that may apply.

Changing Ownership Arrangements/Transfer of Equity

If you intend to change the ownership arrangements which will sometimes involve a transfer of equity then you are strongly advised to contact an expert ownership arrangement and transfer of equity property lawyer as the process has extensive steps, tax implications, and documents that need to be taken and managed perfectly.

Equity Release Mortgages

Releasing equity might be an attractive option if you are asset-rich but financially strained. Whatever the motivation behind your decision, having a professionally designed equity release mortgage is invaluable to ensuring you get your money’s worth.

One of our independent financial advisors can talk you through all of the equity release options available to you and advise you on your most profitable option.

High Value Properties

There are several features unique to high value properties that will need to be addressed for your transaction to go both smoothly and fairly. To our advantage, Biscoes has a team that have overseen high value property transactions for over 170 years.

Features you will benefit from professional help with include boundaries, drainage, access, and additional searches. These are all matters that our residential conveyancing lawyers have encountered and overcome before in their many years of experience.

Mortgaging and Remortgaging

You could be considering remortgaging your property for a whole host of reasons. Every client can benefit from a specialist mortgage and remortgage conveyancing lawyer to assess their circumstances and advise on how you might proceed.

It’s important not to make a hasty and un-advised decision regarding mortgages as they can affect you for years to come. So, whilst a mortgage or remortgage may be an attractive option and seem fairly straightforward, we strongly advise you speak to a residential property lawyer who will ensure you understand the terms of the mortgage offer and agreement that you are entering into

Registering Property for the First Time

Also called the ‘first registration’, registering property for the first time at the Land Registry is a process that Biscoes residential property lawyers can make relatively straightforward.

What’s most important to the process is whether or not you have the deeds to the property. Don’t worry, as we can help you either way, but for personalised legal advice on how to proceed from whatever stage you’re a, do not hesitate to reach out.

Selling the Freehold and the Right of First Refusal

If you own a freehold and intend to sell it, then it’s more than likely that you will have to abide by the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 as well as ‘Right of Refusal’ procedures.

You’re able to sell the freehold by private sale or by sale at auction, and both options have their own complexities. There are criminal offences to mishandling freehold procedures, so you are highly recommended to speak to a Freehold and Right of First Refusal specialist.

Frequently asked questions about residential property law

How long does conveyancing take?

Typically, conveyancing can take between 12-16 weeks, but delays such as a survey revealing a problem or housing chain issues can significantly impact the timeline. Property lawyers work hard to mitigate these delays and keep the process as efficient as possible. It is also possible that, with planning and expertise, the timeline can be shortened through regional connections and airtight legal practices.

What is the conveyancing process?

There are two main processes which you need to consider, these being the buying process and the selling process. There are numerous complex steps in both pathways, but we’ll offer you a brief walk through of the relevant processes here:

Selling Process:

Seller seeks out a conveyancing quote
Conveyancers are instructed
Documents are managed including proof of identity checks, contract pack, fittings and contents form, property information forms, and title deeds and registry
Pre-contract enquiries from the buyer are answered
A completion date is agreed upon
Contracts are exchanged
Seller vacates the property and the title deed is sent by the seller’s conveyancer (if they have one)
Payments are made

Buying Process:

Buyer seeks out a conveyancing quote
Buyers make an offer on the property, which, hopefully, the seller accepts!
Surveys on the property are arranged
Documents are managed including the contract pack and identity checks
Seller and buyer agree on a completion date
Contracts are exchanged
Buyer’s conveyancing lawyer prepares a draft transfer deed and completion information form
Stamp duty tax is sent to HMRC and payments are made
Transfer deeds and proof of sale is received
The property is registered in the name of the buyer at The Land Registry