Conveyancing Solicitors in London

Purchasing a Home in London

The real estate market in London is competitive and moves at a rapid pace. Engaging a conveyancing solicitor who specializes in the local market will help you avoid setbacks during your buying journey. Whether you are purchasing a townhouse in Clapham, a flat in Camden, or a new build in Westminster, our skilled conveyancing team offers:

• Quick and proactive searches: We minimize delays by overseeing borough-specific searches in councils like Croydon, Westminster, and Tower Hamlets.
• Expertise in leasehold: Given the popularity of leasehold flats in London, we assist in evaluating lease conditions, ground rent, and various service charges, particularly in older buildings and high-rise blocks.
• Risk assessments: We identify location-specific hazards, such as flood zones near the Thames or conservation areas around Chancery Lane and Bishopsgate, empowering you to make educated choices.
• Support for newcomers to property ownership: London provides several initiatives to assist first-time buyers grappling with affordability issues. We offer guidance on schemes like the Lifetime ISA, First Home Scheme (applicable in England), shared ownership, and stamp duty thresholds or exemptions.

With Muve, you will receive regular updates and can access online tracking. Ensure that your purchase of a property in London is efficient, transparent, and legally compliant from beginning to end.

Selling a Home in London

Selling a property in London entails navigating through complex property types with high demand, particularly when dealing with leasehold flats. Focus on your new journey while our adept conveyancing team manages the legalities. Our services include:

• Energy Performance Certificate checks: We will ensure your Energy Performance Certificate aligns with London’s legal standards.
• Leasehold transactions: We manage the necessary details and documentation typically required for leasehold flats and apartments in London.
• Market insights: We provide trends on local demand to help you strategically time your sale for maximum profit, regardless if you are in Shoreditch, Bromley, or Ealing.
• Coordination of chains: We take charge of the communications among solicitors, estate agents, and buyers to keep the sale on course, aiming to reduce delays.

Experience customized conveyancing solutions at a reasonable price. Allow us to assist you with the sale of your property in London so you can advance confidently.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take in London?

Standard timelines for conveyancing in London may exceed average durations due to high transaction activity driven by a bustling property market. Variables such as complexities with leasehold properties, turnaround times for council searches, and fluctuations in the market can affect these timelines.

Specific areas, such as Bermondsey or Canary Wharf, might experience slower local authority searches due to elevated demand, while leasehold transactions in Southwark could require additional documentation. This is why local expertise and experience are crucial for expediting the conveyancing process.

Muve can assist in diminishing these timelines, as our average conveyancing process takes about 16 weeks for freehold properties and 18 weeks for leasehold properties. This is 4 weeks quicker than the national average. This expedited service is achievable through our streamlined digital processes and proactive case management. With our Lightspeed service, we can also achieve exchanges in as little as 5 weeks without compromising on quality or legal integrity. 

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London Property Market Report

Navigating the vibrant property market in London requires a profound understanding of the factors influencing its movements. Whether you are buying or selling, maintaining awareness of available property types, local trends, and conveyancing aspects is vital. Here are essential insights into the London property market that will aid your decision-making during the transaction process. 

Overview of London

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom (UK) and houses a diverse population of 8.945 million (2023), forming a rich blend of cultures, languages, and backgrounds.

This cosmopolitan city is a hub of opportunities and a center of international influence. It is hailed as a prominent location for finance, education, and innovation.

Thanks to an extensive public transport system (including the London Underground, buses, and several major airports), neighboring boroughs and residential areas are well-connected to key business zones and educational establishments. With everything it has to offer, London stands out as one of the most desirable places to live, work, and study.

The city attracts families, professionals, students, and millions of tourists from around the globe, further strengthening the vibrant and resilient property market.

The allure of the London property market is further enhanced by the rich history behind every structure. Iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, world-class museums, and renowned West End theatres are just a few highlights that solidify the city’s reputation as one of the world’s greatest. 

As we look forward, London is undergoing a significant transformation supported by the Mayor’s Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London. This strategy aims to drive economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and significantly expand housing development across the capital. 

Property Searches in London

Acquiring a property in London involves conducting several essential searches, including:

• Local Authority Search: This search provides information about building regulations, planning conditions, conservation zones, and road schemes. It can uncover localized issues that may impact the property in question.
• Environmental Search: This search assesses potential environmental hazards, such as contaminated land or flooding risks along the River Thames.
• Water and Drainage Search: This search confirms the local water supply and sewer connections related to the property.

In London, these searches can be executed via the Search for local land charges and property page. This platform serves search needs across England and Wales and reveals information pertaining to planning conditions, conservation zones, tree preservation orders, environmental health notices, listed buildings, and highway agreements. 

Creating an account allows you to use this service. The search itself typically incurs no cost; however, a fee of £15 is applicable for obtaining an official search certificate. Some local authorities may charge additional fees ranging from £50 to £250, depending on the search’s complexity and location.

The turnaround time for these searches will differ. While most local councils aim for a 10-day completion, complex searches may take a couple of weeks. Given London’s high demand, search applications might experience longer processing times compared to other regions.

Our conveyancing team possesses substantial experience in executing London-specific property searches. We will ensure your search is completed swiftly and efficiently.

Conveyancing Costs in London

Conveyancing fees in London are influenced by the property value and the complexity of the transaction. Leasehold properties generally incur higher costs than freehold properties, as they require additional legal considerations and documentation.

Fees for freehold properties typically fall between £600 and £1,500 + VAT. Additional disbursement costs (such as bank transfer fees, Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty, etc.) may amount to an additional £200 or more (dependent on the Stamp Duty rates). For further details, please refer to our essential guide on conveyancing costs.  

Our knowledgeable conveyancing solicitors at Muve leverage technology and extensive experience to streamline the conveyancing process, minimize delays, and keep costs as reasonable as possible. Get a free estimate of the expected conveyancing costs in London.

Current Property Prices in London (2025 Update)

As of February 2025, the average property price in London stands at £556,000, reflecting a slight increase from £546,000 one year earlier. Property prices vary significantly by location. Below are the housing prices in select London boroughs (as of February 2025).

Brent:

• Detached homes: £1,277,000
• Semi-detached homes: £807,000
• Terraced homes: £685,000
• Flats and maisonettes: £401,000

Kensington and Chelsea:

• Detached homes: £4,073,000
• Semi-detached homes: £2,798,000
• Terraced homes: £2,183,000
• Flats and maisonettes: £949,000

Sutton:

• Detached homes: £997,000
• Semi-detached homes: £632,000
• Terraced homes: £452,000
• Flats and maisonettes: £289,000

Islington:

• Detached homes: £1,546,000
• Semi-detached homes: £1,321,000
• Terraced homes: £1,075,000
• Flats and maisonettes: £552,000

Westminster:

• Detached homes: £3,726,000
• Semi-detached homes: £2,637,000
• Terraced homes: £1,581,000
• Flats and maisonettes: £823,000

For additional information, please visit the Office for National Statistics for data from February 2025. 

Are you in search of property price information for other areas in London? Our expert conveyancers are on hand to help you find the specific data you require.

Council Tax Categories in London

The annual council tax for each band is set by the City of London Corporation and is typically distributed each year. Below is the council tax band from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. 

• Band A (up to and including £40,000): £849.48
• Band B (£40,001 — £52,000): £990.94
• Band C (£52,001 — £68,000): £1,132.51
• Band D (£68,001 — £88,000): £1,274.07
• Band E (£88,001 — £120,000): £1,557.20
• Band F (£120,001 — £160,000): £1,840.32
• Band G (£160,001 — £320,000): £2,123.45
• Band H (More than £320,000): £2,548.14

You can find the current tax band information on the official local government’s website: City of London Council tax bands and charges. 

Leasehold Versus Freehold Properties in London

The London property market features both leasehold and freehold properties. Freehold properties confer complete ownership of both the building and the land, while leasehold properties confer ownership of the building only. This arrangement necessitates consideration for factors like ground rent, service charges, and the duration of the lease.

London has a significantly higher proportion of leasehold properties than the rest of the country. Data from 2022 to 2023 indicates that 36% of London homes were leasehold properties, which is double the prevalence in other English regions. 

Sales for freehold and leasehold properties vary throughout London. Areas such as Camden, Greenwich, Southwark, Islington, Westminster, and Tower Hamlets have a higher frequency of leasehold property sales, while Croydon, Sutton, Hillingdon, Redbridge, and Harrow predominantly exhibit freehold property sales. 

Stamp Duty Implications in London

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) costs in London vary based on the property price, the purpose of the transaction, and the buyer’s circumstances. Certain real estate purchases are exempt from paying this lump sum if they meet the established SDLT threshold criteria.

As of April 1, 2025, the SDLT threshold rates are structured as follows:

For first-time buyers: SDLT is applicable to properties priced over £300,000 (previously £425,000).

For all other buyers: SDLT is applicable to properties priced over £125,000 (previously £250,000).

For additional insights on the latest changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) from April 2025 onwards. 

Conveyancing for New Builds in London

London’s growing population, coupled with a decrease in housing stock, has created an acute need for new homes. The government is working towards adding 88,000 to the housing supply within the next decade through initiatives outlined in the next London Plan.

While the proposed number of new houses may seem ambitious, it is poised to significantly impact the London property landscape. If you are considering investing in new properties, it’s crucial to understand the unique conveyancing process associated with new builds.

Purchasing new build properties in London necessitates specific considerations (such as reviewing developer plans, ensuring compliance with building regulations, and understanding warranty provisions, among others).

The conveyancing team at Muve is well-versed in the specific challenges tied to new build transactions. Seek professional guidance and local legal expertise tailored to new builds in London. 

Conveyancing Solicitors Across the UK

Wherever you’re buying or selling in the UK, Muve offers a convenient online conveyancing experience that’s fast, transparent and customised to meet your property transaction in London. Whether it involves a city apartment in Westminster or a family home in Richmond, our expert conveyancing team comes with an understanding of the specific legal and logistical processes of the London market.

• Conveyancing solicitors in Birmingham
• Conveyancing solicitors in Bradford
• Conveyancing solicitors in Leeds
• Conveyancing solicitors in Liverpool
• Conveyancing solicitors in Northampton
• Conveyancing solicitors in Manchester
• Conveyancing solicitors in Sheffield

Are you ready to move forward? Let Muve handle the legal work and documentation so you can focus on your move.