A new level of service

Kirkstall Property Lawyers are experts perfectly placed to get you moving.

We know that conveyancing has a reputation for being slow and complicated and customers are often left pulling their hair out when moves are delayed or transactions don't complete quickly enough.

We have made it our mission to simplify the process, make costs transparent and give customers the information they need. We will keep you informed every step in the journey, from initial instruction to completion.

Online conveyancing

Our secure case tracker tool also means that the days of waiting for a piece of important post or chasing up your solicitor are over. Just log in any time to see how close we are to completion, what is happening on your case or even to find out important information about your area. Getting access to your information has never been easier.

Nationwide reach

Based in Leeds, but with the experience to work throughout England and Wales, Kirkstall Property Lawyers are perfectly positioned to help you get in to your new property, or out of your old one, wherever you may be. We are available to you as and when you need us and, even if you decide to complete your conveyancing online, your dedicated conveyancer will always be visible and on hand to offer answers to any questions you may have.

 

Explaining some of the key terms?

Solicitor vs. conveyancer

We are a conveyancing firm and specialise in conveyancing. Solicitors can provide a much broader range of services, conveyancing being one. Ultimately, there is no real difference between the two unless you require any additional legal services that a conveyancer can’t provide for you.

Survey vs. searches

A survey is completed by a surveyor and provides you with details regarding the value and condition of the property. The amount of detail it contains will depend on the type of survey. Searches are enquiries that are submitted to various local authorities and provide vital information regarding the property that a viewing or survey would not provide. Any searches ordered will be reviewed by your conveyancer. Both will be required if you are buying with a mortgage.

Exchange vs. completion

Exchange is the point at which contracts are exchanged and you agree to buy (or sell) the property. When you exchange contracts you also agree to a moving date. Completion is the day when ownership changes hands and typically the day where you will move in or move out.

Freehold vs. leasehold

Freehold is where you own the property and the land (this is the case with the majority of houses), whereas leasehold is where you own the lease to the property for a fixed period, e.g. flats or apartments. Please note, if your property is leasehold the conveyancing process can typically take 30% longer as it is a more complex transaction.

AIP vs. MIP

‘Agreement in Principle’ or ‘Mortgage in Principle’. Both of these terms describe having a mortgage agreed in principle by a lender, but not that the lender has guaranteed to provide you with one. Before doing so, lenders will need to see the results of a valuation survey on the property and complete their underwriting process. Once this is done, if the lender is happy to proceed, they will issue you and us with a formal mortgage offer.

Enquiries

A conveyancer will raise or answer questions about a property as part of the conveyancing process. In conveyancing terms, these are referred to as ‘enquiries’. These are often technical in nature and the number of enquiries raised will depend on the complexity of the transaction.

Covenants

Binding promises, which are legal obligations, contained in Deeds (the legal documents that show ownership of the property).

Lease

A document under which an owner of a property grants another person exclusive possession of the property for an agreed period usually in return for an agreed periodic payment.

Memorandum of Sale

This is issued by the estate agent and shows details of the property being sold, for how much, by whom and the solicitor or conveyancer acting for the buyer or seller.

Redemption Statement

A document issued by the current lender indicating the total amount owing on a current mortgage.