Conveyancing Solicitors in York

If you are buying, selling or remortgaging a home in or around York, our conveyancing solicitors are on hand to offer all the advice and support you need.

Carrying out a property transaction is undeniably exciting, but it does come with a number of potential risks, all of which need to be properly addressed to make sure that the transaction is a success. Our conveyancing solicitors in York can carefully guide you through the entire conveyancing process from start to finish, ensuring that everything is as straightforward as possible.

At Bird & Co, we provide a reliable, efficient conveyancing service to individuals, couples and families, tailoring our advice to match everybody’s respective circumstances. Whether you are a first time buyer, or are looking to move your way up the property ladder, our team use their combined expertise to advise you accordingly.

We provide a simple online conveyancing service with an added personal touch. This allows us to assist clients from across York and the wider Yorkshire area, including Huntington, Heworth or Acomb.

Get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team in York by giving us a call, or get a quote online.

How our conveyancing solicitors in York can help you

We have a team of specialist conveyancing solicitors in York with a wide range of expertise, including:

• Buying and selling your home
• Advice for first time buyers, such as:
  • Help to Buy
  • Shared Ownership
• Remortgaging
• Equity release
• Advice about buying as joint tenants or tenants in common
• Buying and selling listed property
• Buying and selling leasehold property
• Collective enfranchisement and buying the freehold of a house
• Lease extension
• Transfer of equity
• Gifting property and Deeds of Gift
• Buy to let conveyancing
• Buying and selling land
• Commercial conveyancing
• Stamp Duty advice

We are on the panel for lenders of all sizes, which means we can support your transaction whether you are using a national firm or a local building society.

Why choose Bird & Co’s conveyancing solicitors in York?

We have specialist expertise in online conveyancing, which means we can conduct your property transaction remotely. There will be no need for you to visit us at our offices (unless you want to).

Our conveyancing service is modern, friendly and efficient. We strive to make the conveyancing process as straightforward as possible, giving you all the support you need at each stage.

You will always have a direct line of correspondence with your legal team, as well as a direct email address for the lawyer who is handling your conveyancing. Whenever you have a question about your case, you will always receive a prompt answer.

We are proud to be a Law Society Quality Scheme accredited firm. This means we will:

• Provide high quality legal advice
• Get your conveyancing transaction completed as quickly and smoothly as possible
• Provide top quality customer service and respond to queries quickly and efficiently
• Keep you regularly updated and never leave you in the dark
• Be upfront and honest about your fees – we will provide you with an accurate quote before you instruct us so that you can decide whether we are right for you

We are also Lexcel accredited by the Law Society. This means that we are committed to providing high levels of customer service and ensuring that your needs are always met. Lexcel is only awarded to firms which demonstrate the highest standards or client care and practice management.

Why instruct our online conveyancers instead of a conveyancer in York?

There are several benefits to instructing our online conveyancers in York, including:

• Our property lawyers are nationally recognised experts, with experience in the local York market, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the national property market. This gives us an edge over other firms which only deal with local transactions.
• Our online systems have been developed with sensitive communications in mind. We make sure that our clients, and the documents that are sent during online conveyancing, are kept secure. We do this by encrypting emails, securely configuring our devices and systems and putting malware protection in place.
• We can get your conveyancing done quickly and efficiently. Delays that come hand in hand with the traditional conveyancing process can often be avoided when work is completed remotely.
• Online conveyancing tends to be more cost-effective. Visiting a conveyancer in person can incur various additional costs. The vast majority of our services can be conducted remotely, saving you money without compromising the level of service you receive.
• We have dealt with property transactions from around the country, and even for clients who are on the other side of the world. We frequently use video conferencing to keep in touch with our clients, no matter where they are currently residing.
• Our legal obligations to you remain the same as if we were meeting in person. The conveyancing process is exactly the same and we are fully insured just in case.

Our conveyancing fees – how much does our conveyancing cost in York?

We offer a range of flexible fees for our conveyancing services in York, including fixed fees for straightforward work. This means you will have a clear idea how much you will be expected to pay from the outset. We will never exceed a quote without consulting you and explaining what additional work needs to be done.

Additional costs that arise during the conveyancing process are called disbursements. Disbursements can include conveyancing searches or registering a transaction at HM Land Registry.

When you are completing a property transaction, you will sometimes need to pay tax, such as Stamp Duty Land Tax or Capital Gains Tax. If this is the case, your solicitor can help you calculate how much is owed and file the return with HMRC.

Conveyancing FAQs

How does the conveyancing process work in York?

There are three main stages to the conveyancing process. These are:

• Offer and acceptance
• Exchange of contracts
• Completion

Once the buyer and seller agree on a price for a property, they will then agree to enter into a contract. The transaction is not legally binding at this stage and it is possible for either party to pull out for a number of reasons – such as if the seller agrees to a higher offer from elsewhere.

When an offer is accepted, the buyer will work alongside their conveyancer to carry out a number of checks on the property. Checks could include:

• Reviewing property information provided by the seller and making further enquiries if necessary (done by the conveyancing solicitor)
• Conducting conveyancing property searches, such as local authority checks (done by the conveyancing solicitor)
• Carrying out an independent survey (done by the buyer)

Once the checks have been completed, both parties will proceed to sign and exchanged contracts. The transaction will now be legally binding and pulling out would result in a penalty.

Completion is when the transaction is deemed to be official. A transfer deed is submitted to HM Land Registry and the seller is required to leave the property.

How long does conveyancing take in York?

If everything goes ahead without complications, the conveyancing process typically takes around 12-14 weeks. This is from the date an offer is accepted and conveyancing solicitors are instructed.

Not every property transaction is straightforward, and delays are always a possibility, such as if there are issues further along the property chain, or if a property search catches an issue that needs to be addressed. If delays are likely in your case, your solicitor will inform you of your options.

What searches are involved in conveyancing in York?

When you are buying a property in York, your conveyancer will carry out a number of checks.

The three main types of conveyancing searches are:

• Local authority checks – to check the surrounding area for planning, pollution, highway or other related issues
• Environmental searches – to check for issues such as flooding or land contamination
• Water and drainage searches – to check matters such as water and drainage access

Further checks may be required, but this will depend on the type of property in question and where it is situated.

How do you instruct our conveyancing solicitors in York?

Get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team in York by giving us a call, or get a quote online.

Our York conveyancing team will be able to run through the initial stages of your conveyancing transaction and, once your file is opened, your conveyancer will take care of all of the legal details related to your transaction.

Whether you are moving to, from, or across York, our conveyancing solicitors will be able to lend their expertise.

Get in touch with our conveyancing solicitors in York

Get in touch with a member of our conveyancing team in York  by giving us a call, or get a quote online.

Online Conveyancing in York

There isn't really any such thing as online conveyancing. Clients come to us for conveyancing in York, Huntington, Acomb and all sorts of other places, having first found us via our website.

After that, the relationship between you and your conveyancer is the same as any other. We have the same professional obligations towards you, and deal with your conveyancing file in the same way.

It might feel like online conveyancing because you can talk to us through email on your computer, but really it is proper conveyancing.

Search Fees in York

Every local authority is different. We use an excellent, trusted national search provider, which means we can provide searches to clients in Yorkand all over the country, knowing that we will get a product we're happy with and which we know is properly insured and protects your interests.

What is the process to instruct us for your conveyancing?

First, fill in our conveyancing quote form for conveyancing in York. You can find the links at the top of this page.

Our helpful conveyancing support team will then guide you through the initial stages, and once your conveyancing file is opened your York conveyancing solicitor and their small team will deal with the legal side of the conveyancing transaction. You'll be given direct contact details for your conveyancing lawyers and they'll keep in touch with you every step of the way.

Whether you're moving to York or away from York to somewhere else, our conveyancing team can help you do so with the minimum of fuss and inconvenience.

Fees for conveyancing in York

Our fees are transparent and, so long as the situation does not change (for example so long as your property doesn't turn out to be leasehold when we thought it was freehold) the fee we quote is the fee you will be charged.

We don't add extras on for things like photocopying, postage, or the like. Those are our overheads and we don't pass them on to you.

All our conveyancing fees are dependent on the nature and value of the transaction, so we naturally charge a bit more for more complicated and high value work. However, the fee charged will be the same for a customer in Newcastle as it would be for someone in London, or indeed in York.

There are some aspects of our conveyancing fees which we can't change. Fees charged by other bodies such as HM Land Registry, or by HMRC for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are out of our control.

Introduction to York

York is a historic medieval walled city in North Yorkshire that is situated on the confluence of the River Ouse and the River Foss, and is the traditional county town of Yorkshire. Famous for its outstanding history and archaeology, unique shops and award-winning visitor attractions, York has since been awarded UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network status.

It is a city steeped in a rich history dating back almost 2,000 years. Founded by the Romans in 71AD, York became the capital of the Roman province of Britannia and then later the kingdoms of Northumbria and Jorvik.

Throughout the centuries, and unlike many other British cities that have succumbed to the passage of time and to the modern era, York has retained much of its medieval structure and historic character. In many ways, the city centre exudes an atmosphere of history, like that of an open-air museum of a city frozen in time.

Many of the ancient timbered houses still perch and lean precariously into the narrow web of winding streets such as the Shambles, York’s most famous shopping street and, arguably, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe, if not the world. Once lined with butchers’ shops and shelves displaying cuts of meat, this now picturesque street, dating back to the fourteenth century was even mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086. Nowadays, it is currently home to an array of independent retailers including a chocolatier, a fudge maker, antique jewellery, book and souvenir shops and remains one of York’s most iconic and photographed streets.

York’s ancient city centre is protected within by beautifully preserved historic city walls that, at 3.4km long, are the longest and most intact medieval city walls in the whole of England. York’s City Walls attract 2.5 million visitors each year who can take the 2-hour-long walk along the length of the walls to admire the magnificent and iconic views across the city.

Due to its geography and strategic position, York developed as a railway centre during the nineteenth century. The introduction of the railways into the city saw industries, primarily in the form of confectionery, develop and flourish. At the turn of the century, it was apparent that both York's railways and its confectionery industry were the two predominant industries. The award winning National Railway Museum in York, the largest of its kind in Europe, tells the continuing story of rail transport in Britain and how this has impacted on society up to the present day. Also, to this day, York continues to be the UK’s home of chocolate. Notable confectioners from the city’s industrial past include Rowntree's, for one, which was founded in 1862 and which provided substantial revenue as well as employment to the local area, as did Terry's, renowned for their chocolate orange, which also originated in the city.  York’s Chocolate Story is a visitor attraction that explores York’s chocolate heritage and puts itself at the heart of the city’s 300-year chocolate history, telling the stories behind the biggest names in chocolate and the art and craft of chocolate making.

Today, the city of York has a population of 204,439 and its local economy revolves primarily around tourism and the service sector. In 2000, the service sector accounted for 88.7% of the city's employment, with the primary industries being health, education and finance. The biggest employers in the service sector currently are firstly York City Council, which employs around 7,500 people, as well as Aviva, Network Rail and the University of York, all of which employ over 2,000 people.

Tourism has accounted for 10.7% of employment in the city in recent years. In 2009, it was the 7th most visited city by UK residents, and 13th by overseas visitors. Museums such as Jorvik Viking Centre provide a substantial base for employment, but some of the other most frequently visited areas are York Minster, and York Castle, of which the Castle Museum can be found nearby.

The impressive and iconic York Minster majestically dominates the skyline across the city being the second largest and one of the finest examples of a gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Visit England has listed York Minster as one of their History and Heritage Experiences ‘101 things to do before you go abroad’.

The most impressive views across the city of York can be seen from the top of the central tower of the Cathedral after climbing the 275 steps that take you to the highest point in the city.

Another of York’s famous and most iconic landmarks is Clifford’s Tower, an imposing medieval tower standing high upon a mound and the only remains of York Castle, built by William the Conqueror in 1068 as a statement of his power in the region.

The Theatre Royal is also hugely popular amongst visitors, seating 837 people, as is the Grand Opera House, a Grade II listed building.

Every September, since 1997, the city has also held a festival of food and drink, and its primary aim is to promote gastronomic culture from York and North Yorkshire by celebrating local food production and produce.

The city is also home to a number of breweries and enjoys a reputation for the brewing of unique real ales, making it a top UK beer destination. Each year, Yorkshire’s largest beer festival, which is run by York CAMRA – York Beer & Cider Festival, takes place at The Knavesmire, the home of York Racecourse where over 450 real ales and over 100 ciders are showcased. Beer lovers can also enjoy guided tours of local breweries including York Brewery which was established in 1996 within the Micklegate Bar Walls and offers visitors insights on the traditional art of brewing and the production of their award-winning range of ales.

York is also well known for its pub culture and, in particular, its many historic pubs, some of which are said to be haunted. Set along a small snickleway, off the ancient historic street of Stonegate, is the Ye Old Starre Inn, known to be one of the oldest and most historic pubs in the city. Set within a Grade II listed building with its famous sign overhanging the street, it is said to date back to 1644. Its 10th century cellar was believed to have been used to tend to wounded soldiers during the English Civil War. It is said to be one of the most haunted pubs in York and resident ghosts include a cat that was once bricked-up into the walls.

No trip to York is complete without a visit to the world-famous Betty’s Tearooms on St Helen’s Square right in the heart of the old town. Betty’s traditional afternoon teas served in their beautiful art deco inspired tea rooms are famous the world over. Recently, Visit England featured afternoon tea at Betty’s in their ‘101 things to do before you go abroad’.

From independent boutiques to big brand high street stores, open air markets to quirky vintage, antique and curio shops, in York shoppers can find it all. Famous for its maze of cobbled medieval streets, York offers shoppers a unique and unrivalled shopping experience.

Just a few minutes’ drive outside of the historic city centre is the conveniently located York Designer Outlet, an out of town shopping mall in a beautifully landscaped garden setting, owned by the McArthurGlen Group. The indoor centre is a popular shopping destination, attracting shoppers from across the UK. Home to over 120 leading UK international designer and high street brands including Hobbs, LK Bennett, Ted Baker, Reiss, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein, Osprey London and many more, shoppers flock to make the most of the big discounts off designer wear.

Sport also has a strong presence in the city. Bootham Crescent is the home of York City Football Club, and has a capacity of almost 8,000. The team currently plays in the Football League Two, however, they have previously reached the semi-finals in the FA cup.

York Racecourse is, perhaps, the most prominent sporting attraction in the city, and from 1990 has been awarded the best Northern Racecourse for 17 years running. It has 15 meetings every year, and accommodates thousands of visitors. It hosted Royal Ascot in 2005.

York is situated within close proximity to other market towns and villages in North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire including Beverley and Wetherby both famous for their racecourses, the popular spa town of Harrogate, Northallerton in the Vale of York, Selby, Goole, Tadcaster, Market Weighton, Bishopthorpe and Haxby. York is part of “The Golden Triangle” a term often used by estate agents to describe the area in Yorkshire between Harrogate, North Leeds and York. The area is often associated with being an affluent area with some of the most expensive houses in Yorkshire, and is considered a great location as a commuter belt for the commercial centres of Leeds and York. It is also conveniently positioned for easy access to the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors national parks.

York is also close to other major northern cities such as Leeds, Bradford, Kingston-Upon-Hull and Sheffield and is very well connected with excellent transport links to other cities including Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool. Being a roman town, the city is served well via the road system, being on the intersection of the A19 road from Doncaster to Tyneside. The A64 road provides a link to the motorway network, linking York to the A1 and the M1.

York railway station continues to be a major station since its opening in 1839. Nowadays, it is situated on the East Coast Main Line and, therefore, provides frequent services down to London King's Cross as well as up to Scotland. The TransPennine Express also links the city to areas such as Liverpool and Manchester Airport.

There is a long list of famous people who have come from York, including, Guy Fawkes (revolutionary), Judi Dench (actress), W.H Auden (writer), Steve McClaren (Ex-England Football Manager) and Vince Cable (Politician).