Residential Property

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Our team is fully aware that buying or selling a home is one of the most exciting and important, yet potentially one of the most stressful, events in your life. We therefore work hard to make sure that every transaction is as stress free and efficient as possible, with our team ensuring you receive regular updates.

Our service begins and ends personally, with each transaction being completed by a conveyancer personal to you, so you know who you need to talk to from first instruction to completion. We are aware that your house is your home, but it is also an investment. Thus, very importantly we will ensure, from a legal point of view that you end up buying a property that you will be able to sell.

Our team can act on a wide range of transactions ranging from residential, buy-to-let, high net worth and land development, to transactions involving a limited company.

Providing you with a first time buyer's guide

  • Reviewing your contract, title documents and searches
  • Acting on behalf of your Lender and advising you on your mortgage, if any
  • Reporting to you on your obligations as a homeowner and advising you on all rights, reservations, restrictions and covenants that may affect the property
  • Exchanging contracts
  • Completing the transfer of funds
  • Submitting your Stamp Duty Land Tax return and processing your payment of any stamp duty due
  • Completing the registration of the property into your name

Providing you with a sale guide and assisting with completing the necessary paperwork to be provided to the buyers’ solicitor

  • Drafting all of your contract paperwork and issuing this to the buyers’ solicitor
  • Dealing with any enquiries raised on your behalf
  • Attending to repayment of your mortgage, if any
  • Exchanging contracts
  • Completing and transferring the sale proceeds
  • Sending the buyer all of the original deeds and sale documentation

See our guides on buying and selling property for an overview of a typical conveyancing process involved.

Some of the work will be carried out by a team of Paralegals or Property Executives who do much of the day to day work on cases. Although they are not legally qualified, they have between 2 and 18 years' experience, have received extensive training within our firm and work under the direct supervision of a solicitor with at least 5 years post qualification experience.

Jake Mowatt, our lease extension expert, can assist by providing the below:

  • An initial review of your lease together with a comparison of extending your lease by private negotiation or under the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (LRHUDA 1993)
  • Assessing your eligibility for a lease extension under the statutory route, and advising on the advantages and drawbacks of utilising either the statutory or private negotiation routes.
  • Advising you on the procedure, timescales, and the likely costs involved
  • Assisting you with extending your lease and registering the new lease at the Land Registry
  • Seeking your mortgage lender’s approval (if applicable) to the lease extension and handling their additional requirements.

Lease extensions negotiated privately with the landlord/freeholder are handled by our Residential Property Team. Applications for tenants to acquire the freehold under the LRHUDA 1993 are handled by our expert Commercial Property Team. Our team can assess whether you qualify to extend your lease or enfranchise and we can advise you as to the different routes available.

The Team have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this sector, and can assist you with the following:

  • New-build freehold and leasehold sales
  • Housing Association New Build Home Buy (shared ownership) matters
  • Right to buy
  • Right to acquire
  • Assignments (re-sales of existing shared ownership properties)
  • Stair-casings
  • Transfer of equity.

The team can also assist with property matters such as re-mortgages, transfer of equity, and matrimonial transfers.

For advice on property disputes, we have a dedicated Property Disputes Team who can assist you with a whole host of disputes.

Contact Our Property Disputes Team

If you are moving home, have you thought about updating your Will? Our Wills, Trusts, & Probate Team can assist.

Contact Our Wills Team

Key Contacts

What our clients say

May I very highly recommend Joanna. After years of using many other solicitors Joanna stands out above all the rest. Joanna always answer my emails extremely promptly and deals with all my deadlines well within the time limit. Her expertise, work ethic, communication, help and guidance is always second to none. I can’t speak highly enough of Joanna, she is an absolute credit to Leathes Prior.

Client feedback

After a bit of a shakey start (not Leathes Priors making), Stephen Wilson and his team came to the fore and their attention to detail and communication with us was exemplary. The attention to detail was outstanding and we were very pleased that he and his team delivered on the timescales to exchange and eventually completion. We would recommend and indeed would use them again.

Google review

Leathes Prior helped us move into our new holiday home and they were fantastic. Anna and Izabela were incredibly responsive, very knowledgeable, thoughtful, and made the whole process much easier than it normally is.

Google review

We used Lily Beel for our recent property purchase, and can't recommend her highly enough. Throughout it all, Lily's guidance was professional and properly tailored to our situation rather than generic advice. She kept us clearly informed at every stage, explained the probate and legal complications as they arose, and gave us real confidence that things were being handled professionally.

Client feedback

Leanne made the whole house-buying process feel quick, straightforward and as stress-free as possible. She truly went above and beyond throughout the process and was always on hand whenever we needed her. Buying a house can be a stressful experience, but Leanne made the process so much easier and gave us complete confidence throughout. I would highly recommend Leanne and Leathes Prior Solicitors.

Google review

Rachael's been absolutely fantastic throughout what has been a very stressful process for us as first-time buyers. Rachael worked incredibly hard to get everything progressed and completed within just seven weeks. Buying our first home has been stressful at times, but having Rachael and Angela guiding us through it made such a difference. We would recommend them to anyone looking for a solicitor.

Google review

Truly world-class service from Rachael Hughes' team in conveyancing from start to finish. Rachael responds to queries by email rapidly, and it is a breath of fresh air having a solicitor who is so responsive. If you are looking to instruct Leathes Prior, they are a great firm. Do ask for Rachael Hughes; if you do, you will not want to use another conveyancing solicitor ever again.

Google review

We recently sold two properties and bought a third all with the assistance and expertise of Madison King, who went above and beyond what we expected to bring all three to a successful conclusion. We have happily recommended Leathes Prior to family and friends, who have been equally impressed by the standard of service offered. We have no hesitation in recommending Ms King.

Google review

Madison King is incredibly knowledgeable and takes the time to explain legal terms to me. I was able to speak to my solicitor whenever I needed to. Emails were replied to quickly and I was kept up to date with the progress. Thank you so much for everything. You really did make this process easier and smoother for us. Have recommended you to multiple people and will definitely use you again.

Client feedback

Given our circumstances & a big shift in the market decades later Rachael & Angela didn't let us down. They were concise & reliable given our family circumstance at the time. The house I was looking to buy was also through the same agent which made all the communication & paperwork easier for Leathes Prior. All be it a difficult time with bereavement in the family the team here were great.

Jake was brilliant from start to finish when selling my property. The whole process was handled professionally, communication was excellent, and everything was explained clearly whenever I had a question. Selling a property can be stressful, but Jake made it feel far more straightforward than I expected.

Google review

Thank you so much for your hard work. Your efficiency never ceases to amaze. Looking forward to the next one already!

Client feedback

Emily Whelband at Leathes Prior has been outstanding in supporting the sale of my property. There were a few unexpected issues along the way which were dealt with in a timely and professional manner. Communication has been perfect and I have been updated effectively along the way. All my queries were dealt with appropriately. I would have no hesitation to recommend Emily's services to others.

Google review

From the bottom of my heart I can’t thank you enough! You made what was a horrible experience that more bearable and without you I’d have been lost! Thank you so much for fighting my corner and being so professional but also personal! You are amazing and will always hold a place in my heart for getting me this home!

Client feedback

We couldn’t be happier with the service we received from Anna. Their communication was outstanding. We felt they were really thorough, identifying discrepancies and highlighting anything the developer had overlooked or omitted. It gave us confidence that our interests were being protected. Their attention to detail and responsiveness made a stressful process feel much more manageable.

Client feedback

My house purchase experience with Leathes Prior has been excellent. Emily Whelband in particular was a wonderful guiding hand throughout the process. She was always available on the end of the phone to offer advice and support. I couldn't be happier with the service provided.

Google review

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to you both for everything you've done in dealing with the conveyancing for the sale of our property. I'm incredibly grateful for all the hard work, persistence and patience you both showed throughout. Your professionalism, perseverance and support throughout the process really did make a difference, and it certainly didn't go unnoticed.

Client feedback

I really recommend using these. Rachael's knowledge, expertise, speed and professionalism was second to none. Angela Chalmers was also a delight, amazing communication, nothing was too much trouble. We look forward to using these amazing people to act for us again in the not too distant future.

Google review

Very pleased with the service in selling our property. Managing the sale from overseas could have been really stressful, but it was handled smoothly and professionally. Special thanks to Madison King, who made the transaction seamless. She gave clear advice and steady support, always acting with integrity and honesty and keeping our best interests at heart.

Google review

Rachael was very thorough and kept us up to date with every step of the move, replying swiftly to our emails. If Rachael wasn’t able to respond, Angela, Rachael’s assistant would keep us up to date. When things got frustrating towards the end of the process, Rachael’s persistence got things moving. Thank you Rachael and Angela for your support through the whole process.

Google review

Anna was worth her weight in gold. She was proactive, responsive and always one step ahead. It genuinely felt like Anna cared about getting the sale completed and was fully invested in achieving the best outcome for us. Her professionalism, communication and determination were instrumental in getting the transaction across the line.

Google review

Leanne was professional, proactive, responsive and always willing to explain matters clearly. She kept us updated at every stage and worked hard to move the transaction forward despite numerous challenges. Her advice gave us confidence throughout the purchase, and we always felt that our interests were being looked after.

Client feedback

Very professional and honest communications throughout. Quality at a reasonable price. Leanne was my acting solicitor and did a very professional and thorough job!

Client feedback

Helen at Leathes Prior provided excellent service from start to finish on the purchase of my new property. She was always responsive whenever I had any issues or questions, and explained each step of the process in a way that was easy to understand. Would definitely recommend, particularly to any first-time buyers.

Client feedback

Over the past six months, Lily has managed the conveyancing process for us across three properties. Throughout, she kept us fully informed at every stage and ensured that both our sales and purchase progressed smoothly and in line with the required timescales. Her professionalism, efficiency, and personal approach made what can often be a stressful process feel seamless.

Client feedback

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