Conveyancing in London

Buying a home in London 

The London property market is fast-moving and often competitive. Getting a conveyancer who’s an expert in the local market will help you avoid delays during the buying process. Whether you’re buying a townhouse in Clapham, a flat in Camden or a new build in Westminster, our expert conveyancing team offers:

• Fast and proactive searches: We’ll reduce delays by monitoring borough-specific searches across councils like Croydon, Westminster and Tower Hamlets.

• Leasehold expertise: Flats sold as leasehold are popular in London. We assist in assessing lease terms, ground rent and other service charges, especially in high-rise blocks and older properties.

• Risk checks: We’ll flag location-specific risks like flood zones near the Thames or conservation areas in Chancery Lane and Bishopsgate to help you make informed decisions.

• Support for first-time buyers: London offers schemes to help first-time buyers with affordability issues. We’ll guide you through options like Lifetime ISA, First Home Scheme (England only), shared ownership and stamp duty thresholds or exemptions.

With Muve, you’ll enjoy regular updates and access to online tracking. Make your London property purchase efficient, transparent and legally sound from start to finish.

Selling a home in London

Selling in London means dealing with high-demand complex property types and fast-moving chains, especially when it involves leasehold flats. Focus on your move as our experienced conveyancing team handles the legal work. This includes:

• EPC checks: We’ll ensure your Energy Performance Certificate meets the standard of London’s legal requirements.

• Leasehold sales: We’ll take care of management details as well as other lease documents commonly used in London flats and apartments.

• Local market expertise: We’ll share local demand trends to help you time your sale to get the best price, whether that’s in Shoreditch, Bromley or Ealing.

• Chain coordination: We’ll keep the sale on track and take over communications between solicitors, estate agents and buyers to reduce delays.

Enjoy tailored conveyancing solutions at a fair price. Let us help you with the sale of your London property so you can move forward confidently.

How Long Does Conveyancing Take in London?

Standard conveyancing times in London may be longer than average due to high transaction volumes fuelled by the busy property market. Factors like leasehold complexities, varying council search turnaround and market volatility affect conveyancing timelines. 

Areas like Bermondsey or Canary Wharf may take longer local authority searches (due to higher demand), while leasehold sales in Southwark might involve extra documentation. This is why local expertise and experience are a must to expedite the conveyancing process. 

Muve can help reduce these timelines as our average conveyancing process takes 16 weeks (freehold properties) and 18 weeks (leasehold properties). This is faster than the national average by 4 weeks. This faster transaction is possible through streamlined digital processes and proactive case handling. Our Lightspeed service can also achieve an exchange in as little as 5 weeks without compromising quality or legal compliance. 

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Property Market Report in London

Navigating the dynamic property market in London requires a deeper understanding of the factors that affect its movement. Whether you’re buying or selling, staying informed about available property types, local trends and conveyancing considerations is crucial. Here are key insights into the London property market that’ll help you make informed decisions during the transaction process. 

About London

London is the capital city of the United Kingdom (UK). It is home to a diverse population of 8.945 million (2023), making up a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and backgrounds.  

This global city is a melting pot of opportunity and international influence. It is recognised as a leading centre for innovation, finance and education. 

Thanks to an extensive public transport network (including the London Underground, buses and major airports), surrounding boroughs and residential communities are conveniently connected to business districts and educational institutions. With so much to offer, London has become one of the best places to live, work and study.  

The city draws families, professionals, students and millions of tourists from all over the world, an activity that fuels the strong and resilient property market. 

The London property appeal is further enriched by the rich history behind every stone and structure. The Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, world-class museums and West End theatres are only a few of the notable landmarks that make the city one of the best in the world. 

Looking ahead, the city of London is in the midst of an ongoing evolution covered by the Mayor’s Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London. This plan is designed to bring economic growth, infrastructure investment and significant housing development across the capital. 

Property Searches in London

Purchasing a property in London involves several searches that include the following: 

• Local Authority Search involves getting information on listed building regulations, planning conditions, conservation areas, road schemes, etc. This search can reveal local issues that might affect the property involved. 
• Environmental Search focuses on potential environmental risks like contaminated land or flood risks along the River Thames. 
• Water and Drainage Search confirms the local water supply and sewer connections of the property. 

In London, these searches can be done through the Search for local land charges and property page. This page can be used for searches across England and Wales. Among the information revealed are planning conditions, tree preservation orders, conservation areas, environmental health notices, listed buildings and highway agreements. 

Simply create an account to use the service. The search is usually free, but if an official search certificate is needed, it would mean a £15 fee. Some local authorities may charge more (up to £50-£250), depending on the complexity of the search and the location. 

The turnaround for these searches will vary. Most local councils would target 10 days, but it could take a couple of weeks for complex searches. Since London is a high-demand area, search applications may take longer compared to other locations.  

Our conveyancing team has extensive experience in doing London-specific property searches. We’ll make sure the search is completed as quickly as possible. 

Conveyancing Fees in London

London conveyancing fees will depend on the property value and complexity of the transaction. Leasehold properties will cost more than freehold properties because they require additional legal work and documentation. 

The fees for freehold properties range between £600 to £1500 +VAT. This does not include additional disbursement fees (like bank transfers, Land Registry fees, Stamp Duty, etc.), which could be another £200 or more (depending on Stamp Duty rates). Check out our essential guide to conveyancing fees for more information.  

Our experienced conveyancers at Muve combine technology and extensive experience to expedite the conveyancing process, reduce delays and keep fees as low as possible. Get a free estimate of how much conveyancing will cost in London.

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Average Property Prices in London (2024 Update)

The average London housing price as of February 2025 was £556,000, which is slightly higher than 12 months before (£546,000). The average prices also vary depending on the location. Here are housing prices in some London areas (as of February 2025). 

Brent: 

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

Kensington and Chelsea: 

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

Sutton: 

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

Islington: 

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

Westminster: 

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

For more information, check the Office for National Statistics (February 2025 data). 

Are you looking for property prices in other London areas? Our expert conveyancers can help you find the specific data you need.

Council Tax Bands in London

The City of London Corporation determines the annual council tax for each band. This is usually sent each year. The data 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  

Check out the current tax band through the local government’s official page: City of London Council tax bands and charges. 

Leasehold vs. Freehold Properties in London

The property market in London offers both leasehold and freehold properties. Freehold properties offer full property and land ownership, while leasehold properties only offer property ownership. This means leasehold property investors should also consider ground rent, service charges and lease length. 

London has a higher rate of leasehold properties in the country. 2022 to 2023 data reveal that 36% of London homes were leasehold properties. This figure is 2x more than other areas in England. 

Data shows that freehold and leasehold sales vary in London. Areas like Camden, Greenwich, Southwark, Islington, Westminster and Tower Hamlets sell more leasehold properties. On the other hand, Croydon, Sutton, Hillingdon, Redbridge and Harrow sell more freehold properties. 

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Stamp Duty Costs in London

London Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) costs depend on the property price, buying purpose and buyer circumstances. Some real estate purchases are not required to pay this lump sum fee if they meet the SDLT threshold requirements. 

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

For first-time buyers: Pay SDLT on properties over £300,000 (previously £425,000).  

For other buyers: Pay SDLT on properties over £125,000 (previously £250,000).   

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

New Build Conveyancing in London

London is in need of new homes as the population continues to grow, and the housing stock goes down. The government’s initiative through the next London Plan is to add 88,000 to the housing supply in the next ten years. 

While the number of houses seems ambitious, it will cause waves in the London property market. If you have plans to invest in more properties, make sure you understand the conveyancing process involved in new build properties. 

Purchasing new build properties in London comes with specific conveyancing considerations (reviewing developer plans, checking building regulation compliance, understanding warranty provisions, etc). 

Muve’s conveyancing team understands the nuances associated with new build transactions. Get professional assistance and local legal expertise specific to new builds in London. 

Conveyancing 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.