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Our team of dedicated property conveyancing solicitors offer an exceptional conveyancing service tailored to your needs and backed by the Law Society’s Lexcel and conveyancing quality standards. The team includes:
For your every move
Whether it is the family home, a buy-to-let or a remortgage, whatever your requirements may be, our conveyancing solicitors have the legal know-how and expertise to ensure the process is as smooth as possible, whilst also protecting your investment.
How we can help you
Dealing with all kinds of property matters, including conveyancing, our team of property experts are on hand to support you every step of the way. Our services include:
- Selling a property
- Buying a property
- Remortgaging
Drawing from years of experience, our team will tailor their advice and approach to meet your needs and goals, as well as any timescales you have in place.
Buying a house
Whether you’re buying your first home or adding another to your portfolio, an experienced solicitor can make all the difference to how straightforward the transaction is.
Our residential conveyancing solicitors can guide you through the entire process, from helping you with the search and putting in an offer right through to completion, collecting the keys and moving day.
We understand that every property and every client are different which is why we tailor our services to meet your individual needs. Whether you’re looking for an expert who will be able to support and guide you through each and every step, or a professional who will simply get the job done in the most efficient and effective way possible, our team can do it all.
When buying your new house with us, you’ll also benefit from our team’s strong relationships with various estate agents and vendors, both local and across the UK, making the process even smoother.
Selling a house
When selling a property there are a number of legal requirements that need to be considered. It’s important to get the ball rolling with an experienced conveyancing solicitor in your corner. As well as meeting any requirements, our team will go above and beyond to ensure the process is as efficient and painless as possible.
Drawing from our years of experience in property sales, we can assist you with matters beyond the legal checklist, such as preparing your home for sale and helping to ensure the chain does not break down - smoothing the way to a successful sale.
Our team will make sure that any obstacles or challenges are swiftly and effectively ironed out with our proactive approach to your transaction.
What are our conveyancing fees?
Being in control of costs is always essential if you are to manage your budget and stay on track. This is why from the outset we provide our clients with conveyancing quotes which detail every aspect of our service.
We understand that every transaction is different, which is why our quotes are based on your individual circumstances. Additionally, from experience we know that sometimes unexpected challenges can arise which is why we pride ourselves on being as responsive and transparent as possible, promptly communicating any impacts to costs or deadlines.
Why Choose Smith Partnership?
Your property represents a significant investment and as such you want to know it is in good hands. Our team of conveyancing solicitors are skilled in all aspects of property matters. From the moment you appoint Smith Partnership for your conveyancing, you will be appointed a dedicated solicitor, backed up by an experienced conveyancing team, who will get to know you and your specific circumstances.
The team adopts a straight-talking, friendly approach, explaining any legal jargon along the way. Each member works in partnership with clients to keep them informed, whether over the phone, via email or in person - whatever suits the client's particular needs.
Based in the East Midlands, our conveyancing experts support clients from across the region with their house buying, selling or remortgaging needs from offices in Derby, Burton Upon Trent, Swadlincote, Stoke on Trent and Leicester. Working further afield too, we also offer conveyancing services in many other places across the UK.
FAQs
What happens to deeds when purchasing a house?
Most properties are now registered at the Land Registry and the legal documents are held electronically by them. We will send you copies of the documents, and any other supporting documents once the application for registration has been completed. Any old deeds that are no longer needed to prove title to the property, would normally be sent to you.
When will I get my money?
If you are just selling, or there is a surplus due back to you after completion of your sale and purchase, we will always try to send this to you on the day of completion or on the next working day. Payment is usually made by BACS transfer which takes 3 to 5 working days to clear into your account. If you require the monies on the same day, we can transfer this by CHAPS transfer at a cost of £24. You should request this in advance and provide us with your account details.
Where and when can I have the keys to my new property?
These are usually kept with the agent selling the property but we will confirm this to you before completion.
The keys can only be released on the day of completion when the sellers solicitors confirm to the estate agents (or buyers solicitors where there are no estate agents) that they have received the full purchase monies.
How do I agree a completion date?
You need to agree a date with your sellers/buyers either directly or through the Estate Agents. You should bear in mind that we will try to meet this date but this is not always possible particularly if the date is too soon or some important documentation or information is missing. Please do not book time off work, removal companies or give notice on any temporary accommodation unless Contracts have been exchanged and we have confirmed a completion date to you. It is best to discuss this date once we are near exchange of contracts as if a date is agreed too far in advance it is difficult to know if this is realistic and all the work involved will be completed in time.
What deposit is required?
Generally you will need to provide a 10% (of the purchase price) deposit although it can be a lesser amount of both the seller and buyer agree. This is paid over from the buyers’ solicitor to the sellers’ solicitor upon exchange of contracts.
If the deposit is less than 10%, there is usually a clause in the contract which confirms that if the buyer does not proceed to completion following exchange of contracts, then the seller has a right to pursue the buyer for the full 10% funds.
What is the difference between an exchange of contracts and completion?
An exchange is when the buyer and seller enter into a legally binding agreement to buy and sell on a set date. Once an exchange has taken place, both parties are committed to the sale/purchase, and cannot pull out of the transaction without legal penalties. Exchange of contracts is also when the buyer must pay a deposit, usually 10%.
Completion refers to the day on which all payments have been made/received, that the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer; the day that you move house.
What is the difference between freehold and leasehold properties?
With Freehold property you own the property and the land on which it is situated. With Leasehold property you own the property for a fixed term, but you do not own the land. You would usually pay an annual ground rent to the Freeholder and at the end of the term, the land reverts back to the Freeholder.
