Conveyancing Solicitors in Brighton

Buying or Selling a home in Brighton 

Brighton has one of the most desirable property markets in the South East. Whether you want to buy a property along the Kemptown coastline or sell a home near wide green spaces in Whitehawk, you need a conveyancing solicitor with sufficient local knowledge and efficient processes to ensure a smooth transaction. 

Buying a home in Brighton 

The unique housing landscape of Brighton makes it an appealing place for families, professionals, students and property investors. Hiring a conveyancer with local expertise can help you process property purchases more efficiently. Muve’s conveyancing services include: 

• Local authority searches: The Brighton & Hove City Council completes searches between 24 and 48 hours. We’ll guide you in gathering all the requirements and tracking progress to prevent delays. 

• Leasehold expertise: A third of Brighton’s listed properties are leaseholds. Muve has the expertise to review lease terms, service charges, ground rent and other management details. 

• Local risk assessment: This includes flood risk issues in seafront or marina areas in Brighton, as well as restrictions in conservation areas. 

• First-time buyer support: We’ll guide you through first-time buyer schemes to make your Brighton property purchase more affordable. This includes the Lifetime ISA, shared ownership, the First Home Scheme (available only in England), and stamp duty exemptions. 

Let Muve handle the legal aspects of your purchase transaction with speed, efficiency and transparency. You’ll enjoy regular updates, transparent pricing and 24/7 access to our Client Portal. 

Selling a home in Brighton 

Selling a property in the fast-paced Brighton market requires legal accuracy and a deep understanding of the local area. Let Muve manage the legalities of the process so you can focus on your move. We’ll help with the following: 

• EPC compliance: We’ll ensure your Energy Performance Certificate meets the minimum requirements of Brighton City Council. 

• Leasehold sales: We’ll facilitate leasehold transactions and assist in preparing LPE1 forms, management packs and outstanding accounts (e.g. service charges, ground rent, etc.) 

• Local market knowledge: We’ll position your property based on our in-depth understanding of local market demand, ensuring you receive the best offer for your property. 

• Property chain coordination: We’re experienced in handling property chains in Brighton. We’ll liaise with Brighton agents, solicitors and lenders to minimise delays and keep the transaction moving forward. 

Do you want to know how much conveyancing costs for sellers in Brighton? We provide clear, fixed-fee quotes for your property sale. 

How Long Does Brighton Conveyancing Take? 

Conveyancing timelines in Brighton will depend on various factors, including local authority search backlogs, leasehold complexities, and seasonal demand. Delays in gathering requirements or processing searches can prolong the conveyancing process. 

This is why the local expertise of Muve’s conveyancing solicitors, combined with our digital-first approach, plays a key role in making the conveyancing journey faster. It enables us to deliver a seamless exchange four times faster than the industry average (16 weeks for freehold properties and 18 weeks for leasehold properties). 

If you have a tight deadline, take advantage of our Muve Lightspeed service to enjoy an exchange in 5 weeks (for freehold properties) or 8 weeks (for leasehold properties). 

While factors may be beyond our control, our proactive approach to meeting requirements and maintaining regular communication between parties helps reduce delays. We’ll do the legwork and ensure legal accuracy while you track the progress through our 24/7 online Client Portal. 

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Property Market Report in Brighton 

Brighton’s property market has a unique dynamic that requires local expertise. Whether you plan to buy or sell a property, you need to stay on top of regional trends to ensure you’re getting the most out of the opportunity in your property transaction. Here are key insights that will help you make informed decisions as you navigate the Brighton property market. 

About Brighton 

Brighton is a city on the southern coast of England. It’s a significant part of the Brighton and Hove unitary authority with an estimated population of 278,000 (2022).  

The city attracts a mix of families, students and professionals, thanks to its rich culture, famous piers (Brighton Palace Pier) and the incredible coastal scenery, which is part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Region. The Brighton lifestyle is vibrant, energetic and creative. It has an active entertainment scene and nightlife that attracts younger populations. 

Brighton is home to top educational institutions, including the University of Sussex, University of Brighton, BHASVC (Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College) and Cardinal Newman Catholic School.  

The digital, media, and tech sectors drive the economy. The tourism industry is also strong, as people are drawn to the 8-mile beachfront and famous landmarks such as the Royal Pavilion and The Lanes. Scenic travels along the coastline is a popular activity, as summer ferry services travel between Brighton Pier and Worthing or Eastbourne (nearby towns). 

Visitors enjoy award-winning restaurants and independent shops. It even has something for nature lovers as the city borders the South Downs National Park, making it easy for locals and guests to enjoy a bit of nature without going far. 

With London being an hour away by train and the London Gatwick Airport less than an hour away by train, Brighton is conveniently accessible. Inter-city travel is also convenient, thanks to the extensive bus network. 

Property Searches in Brighton 

When buying a Brighton property, whether it’s a beachfront property in Kemptown or a property in the historic area of The Lanes, you need to conduct a few searches to ensure the property transaction will be beneficial. Among the searches you’ll have to do are: 

• Local Authority Search: This provides information on planning applications, listed buildings, conservation areas and relevant building regulations. You’ll get more information about this through the Brighton and Hove Council Planning page. 

• Environmental Search: This search is also conducted through the Brighton and Hove Council Environment page, where you can find information about city flooding (and their defences), coastal management and other environmental risks. 

•  Water and Drainage Search: This search, done through the Brighton and Hove Council water and flooding page, will confirm the property’s connection to a local water line and sewage system. 

Since Brighton is a coastal city, your conveyancer may conduct additional searches, such as coastal erosion checks and flood risk assessments, to account for storm surges. Our expert team has extensive experience in the Brighton coastal area. We’ll secure your transaction through efficient property searches and checks. 

Conveyancing Fees in Brighton 

Brighton conveyancing fees vary depending on the property values and types differ per transaction. For instance, properties along the coastal area of Rottingdean won’t have the exact conveyancing cost as those in Ovingdean. For more information, refer to our comprehensive guide to conveyancing fees. 

Muve’s transparent, fixed legal fees ensure that, regardless of the property’s location, you’ll know precisely what you will pay. Our fixed legal fees for freehold properties range between £600 and £1,500 + VAT. This excludes disbursement fees, such as bank transfer fees, Stamp Duty Land Tax, and Land Registry fees, among others. Leasehold properties will also incur additional costs, such as ground rent and service charges. 

Get a free estimate of the cost of local conveyancing in Brighton. 

Average Property Prices in Brighton (2025 Update) 

The Brighton property market continues to gain strength in value and appeal. As of June 2025, the property prices in the general area of Brighton and Hove are as follows: 

• Detached properties: £851,000 

• Semi-detached properties: £544,000  

• Terraced properties: £473,000  

• Flats and maisonettes: £304,000 

Get the latest housing price data from the Office for National Statistics. 

Are you looking for a specific property in Brighton? Our expert conveyancers can guide you in finding the correct data that fits your needs. 

Council Tax Bands in Brighton 

The Brighton and Hove Council determines the council tax for each band every year. Here’s the council tax band from 2025 to 2026. 

• Band A (up to and including £40,000): £1,227.89 to £1,637.19 

• Band B (£40,001 – £52,000): £1,432.54 to £1,910.06 

• Band C (£52,001 – £68,000): £1,637.19 to £2,182.92 

• Band D (£68,001 – £88,000): £1,841.84 to £2,455.79 

• Band E (£88,001 – £120,000): £2,251.14 to £3,001.52 

• Band F (£120,001 – £160,000): £2,660.44 to £3,547.26 

• Band G (£160,001 – £320,000): £3,069.73 to £4,092.98 

• Band H (More than £320,000): £3,683.68 to £4,911.58 

Stay updated on the council tax information through the Brighton and Hove Council website. 

Leasehold vs. Freehold Properties in Brighton 

Freehold ownership includes both property and land, whereas leasehold ownership grants the right to occupy the property for a specified period known as the lease term. Leasehold properties are also subject to ground rent and service charges, making the transfer of ownership more complex and expensive. 

Despite this, the Brighton council’s housing performance report revealed a higher demand for leasehold properties. Statistics indicate that more than 6 out of 10 transactions favoured leasehold properties over freehold properties. 

Currently, the property market in Brighton lists more freehold properties than leasehold properties. If you’re interested in buying leasehold properties, work with a conveyancing solicitor with experience in handling similar transactions. Understanding the lease terms, ground rent, service charges and other details will make the process smoother and faster. 

Stamp Duty Costs in Brighton 

Brighton Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) rates differ based on the property price, buyer circumstances and buying purpose. Understanding SDLT thresholds will help buyers reduce (or possibly eliminate) paying SDLT fees. 

As of April 1, 2025, the SDLT thresholds are as follows: 

For first-time buyers, SDLT payments are required for properties over £300,000 (previously £425,000). 

For other buyers, SDLT payments are required for properties over £125,000 (previously £250,000). 

These new thresholds increase property purchases. By working with Muve, their experienced conveyancing solicitors can help you understand the new SDLT rates to minimise and reduce the additional costs on your Brighton property transaction. 

Read more about the latest changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) from April 2025 onwards. 

New Build Conveyancing in Brighton 

The Brighton and Hove City Council’s focus is on providing more homes to ease the pressure on the limited housing supply. Early in 2025, residents moved into new builds in Whitehawk and Rottingdean. These developments are mostly private in nature, but the City Council are closely monitoring and providing support to ensure more new builds will boost the property market within the Brighton and Hove area. 

Purchasing a new build property involves specific conveyancing considerations, including building regulation compliance, developer contracts, and warranty provisions. Muve’s team of conveyancing solicitors has the experience and expertise to represent you and ensure your new build transaction in Brighton proceeds smoothly from reservation to completion.  

Quick Conveyancing Across Brighton and the Rest of the UK 

With the fast-paced movement in the Brighton property market, you need a quick conveyancing process and expert legal guidance to secure your transaction. Muve offers reliable, trustworthy and transparent conveyancing services in Brighton, which include: 

• Speed and efficient exchanges. Enjoy superfast exchange within 16-18 weeks (Muve Forward) or 5-8 weeks (Muve Lightspeed). 

• Local market expertise. Get in-depth local conveyancing expertise that will help you navigate the specific intricacies of the Brighton property market including local searches, property prices, leasehold requirements, council tax bands, SDLT rates, and new builds. 

• Transparent fixed legal fees. There are no hidden costs, except when unforeseen legal requirements apply, which could not be identified at the point of quotation. You’ll feel financially secure that you’re getting what you paid for thanks to our “No Move, No Legal Fee” guarantee. 

• 24/7 updates. Access round-the-clock updates on case progressions through Muve’s online Client Portal that’s accessible anytime and anywhere. 

• High-trust rating. Work with a highly trusted service (4.6* on Trustpilot, 4.4* on Google) delivered by a dedicated conveyancer and in-house account manager. 

Whether you’re buying or selling in Brighton or anywhere else in the UK, Muve offers speed, convenience and local expertise through our online conveyancing service. Our team of conveyancing solicitors can help you acquire the best coastal properties along Brighton Beach and Rottingdean Beach, or dwelling houses in Coldean and Whitehawk. 

If you’re ready to move forward on your Brighton property transaction, our conveyancing team at Muve is prepared to assist. 

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Let Muve handle the legal work and documentation so you can focus on your move.