Whether you are buying or selling your home, we have qualified and experienced lawyers at each of our offices who are there to help you. As an established firm of solicitors, we have built up good working relationships with the local estate agents. We work with them to ensure you receive an excellent service.

We can offer you clear communication from start to finish – in person, by phone, by letter and by email. We will give you a transparent quote with no hidden extras.

We can offer advice on:

• Conveyancing
• Leasehold property
• Remortgaging
• Equity Release
• First and Voluntary Registrations
• Adverse Possession Claims
• Joint ownership and transfer of ownership
• Landlord and tenant
• Pre-auction and auction advice

We will give you a transparent quote with no hidden extras

Residential Property Purchase

We can guide you through the purchase of your new home by:

• Obtaining title and contract papers from the seller.
• Obtaining Local, Drainage, Environmental and any specialist searches required to enable us to provide you with full picture of your new home.
• Checking the contract and title papers and raising any necessary enquiries with the seller.
• Receiving and checking any mortgage documentation.
• Reporting to you by appointment or a full written report on your new home and any mortgage.

• Arranging a completion date with you and exchanging contracts.
• Arranging for mortgage monies to be drawn down or arranging for the purchase monies to be received from you.
• Completing your purchase and completing all necessary registration work to register you as the new owner.

Mortgages
We have extensive experience of acting for individuals mortgaging their homes.
Please contact us to discuss your re-mortgage.

Property Purchase Quote

Please complete our Property Purchase form to request a Service Quote from CsH&W.

Residential Property Sale

We can guide you through the sale of your home by:

• Obtaining your title deeds
• Drafting the contract for sale and providing your buyer with the contract and title papers.
• Dealing with any enquiries raised by the buyer.
• Obtaining a redemption figure from your mortgage lender (if applicable).

• Arranging for the contract and transfer documents to be signed by you.
• Arranging a completion date with you and exchanging contracts.
• Completing your sale including paying off your mortgage and sending the net sale proceeds to you.

Property Sale Quote

Please complete our Property Sale form to request a Service Quote from CsH&W.

Residential Property Rental

We deal with all forms of short term occupation – assured shorthold tenancy agreements, long leases and licences.

We can assist landlords in agreeing the best form of lease.

We can advise tenants on their legal rights.

Residential Property Auctions

If you are interested in bidding on a property at auction we can report to you on the auction documentation and provide pre-purchase advice. If you are successful in your bid, we can deal with your purchase quickly.

If you are selling at auction we can prepare an auction pack and liaise with the auctioneers. After the auction we can complete the sale formalities.

Costs of buying a residential freehold or leasehold house

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.

This example is for a property costing £250,000

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

• Legal fee £750 plus VAT (Total £900)
• Search fees £250 (approx. – the exact cost varies depending on the location of the property)
• HM Land Registry fee £135 (or £270 if the property is not already registered with the Land Registry)
• Electronic money transfer fee £25.20

We do not pay referral fees.

Estimated total: £1310.20

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website here.

Estimated Stamp Duty  £  2500

If you are a First Time Buyer or your purchase is a second home, different rates of Stamp Duty apply

Grand Total £3810.20

If you are a First Time Buyer who uses a Help to Buy ISA, or a Help to Buy Mortgage, additional fees will apply.

How long will my house purchase take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6 and 12 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 4 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
• Receive and advise on contract documents
• Carry out searches
• Obtain further planning documentation if required
• Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
• Give you advice on all documents and information received
• Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
• Complete purchase
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

Purchase of a leasehold flat   

This example is for a property costing £250,000

Our fees cover all the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property is in Wales.

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

• Legal fee £900 plus VAT (total £1080)
• Search fees £250 (approx.  The exact cost varied depending on the location of the property)
• HM Land Registry fee £135 (£270 if the property is not already registered with the Land Registry)
• Electronic money transfer fee £25.20

Estimated total: £1490.20

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees as detailed above. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.

Anticipated Disbursements *

• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between .£100 and 200
• Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 and £200.
• Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £100 and £200.
• Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £100 and £200

*These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website.

Estimated Stamp Duty £  2500

If you are a First Time Buyer who uses a Help to Buy ISA, or a Help to Buy Mortgage, additional fees will apply.

Grand Total : £3990.20  plus Disbursements specific to the Lease

If you are a First Time Buyer, using a Help to Buy ISA, or a Help to Buy Mortgage, additional fees will apply.

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
• Receive and advise on contract documents
• Carry out searches
• Obtain further planning documentation if required
• Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
• Give you advice on all documents and information received
• Go through conditions of mortgage offer
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Draft Transfer
• Advise you on joint ownership
• Obtain pre-completion searches
• Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
• Complete purchase
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

How long will my house purchase take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-12 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between  2  and   4  months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Our fee assumes that:

1. this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction
2. this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
3. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
4. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
5. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Our people

Our team has many years of experience in delivering high quality work in all matters relating to residential conveyancing. Our client surveys indicate that our clients would be happy to instruct us again and would recommend us to their friends and family.
We have five members of the team who may work on your matters at our Buxton office and four at our Chapel-en-le-Frith office. They are supervised by Kate Proven, Partner and Head of Property.

Chapel-en-le-Frith office

Kate Proven – Partner

Kate qualified as a solicitor in 2004. She read Law at the University of Keele and completed the Legal Practice Course in Manchester. Kate was a trainee solicitor with the firm and became a partner in 2016. Kate deals with a large variety of property related work, has a loyal client following and has built up an excellent working relationship with many local estate agents.

Kerry Critchlow – Charted Legal Executive

Kerry is a qualified Associate of the Institute of Legal Executives and is currently studying to be a solicitor. Kerry deals with a large volume of residential property work and already has a following of satisfied clients.

Jay Fisher – Solicitor

Jay qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and joined our conveyancing team in 2017. Jay gained a degree in Law from the University of Hull and completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Sheffield. Despite only comparatively recently joining our firm, Jay is already building up a loyal client following dealing with a large variety of property matters.

Cameron Moore – Paralegal

Cameron has a Law degree from Sheffield Hallam University and completed the Legal Practice Course at Sheffield University. Cameron assists the conveyancing department in all aspects of the Conveyancing process.

Buxton Office

Howard Carter – Partner

Howard is the head of our team and has over 40 years’ experience in property work. Howard has been working in this area since he qualified and has helped generations of clients in many varied areas of property work. After gaining a degree in Law from the University of Manchester, Howard joined the firm in 1976 and qualified as a solicitor in 1978. He became a Partner in 1981.

Lindsay Crowe – Partner

Lindsay qualified as a solicitor in 1987 having gained a Law Degree at the University of Durham. Lindsay has over 30 years of experience in property work. After many years as a Partner in another local firm, Lindsay joined our firm in 2015. Lindsay acts for generations of longstanding and local clients dealing with all aspects of residential and commercial conveyancing. Olivia Green – Solicitor Olivia has a law degree and qualified as a solicitor in 2018. She was a trainee at a local firm and joined us in 2019

Alison Kirkham – Licensed Conveyancer

Alison qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2006. She has lived in the area all her life and has worked for other local firms before joining our firm in 2016. Again, Alison has a large following of loyal and satisfied clients which continues to grow. Alison deals with a mixture of residential conveyancing as well as more complex property matters. Sarah Lewis – Trainee Solicitor Sarah has a degree in Law from Nottingham Trent University and also complete the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Trent University. Sarah began her training contract with us in 2018 and is fast growing in experience and assisting the other members of our team.