Legal
Stamp Duty, leasehold, Land Registry and the rules that decide what you can do with a property. The legal side of moving, without the jargon.
Articles in Legal
Land Registry Search: How Long Does It Take
A Land Registry search reveals the registered owner of a property and any charges or restrictions on the title. Official copies are available instantly online for £3 to £7 per document.
7 min
What Is Stamp Duty For a Second Home in 2026?
Stamp Duty on a second home in the UK includes a five percent surcharge on every band, in addition to the standard residential rates. Here is how it works and how to claim a refund.
9 min
Stamp Duty Calculator: A Guide to Stamp Duty Land Tax Payments
A stamp duty calculator helps you estimate how much SDLT you will pay on a property purchase in 2026. Here are the current bands, the first time buyer relief, and worked examples for every common scenario.
9 min
Leasehold Conveyancing Checklist
Use this leasehold conveyancing checklist to understand what your solicitor checks before exchange of contracts: lease length, ground rent, service charges, management pack, and major works.
8 min
Leasehold vs freehold: every UK buyer's complete guide
Leasehold and freehold are the two main forms of property ownership in England and Wales. Here is what the difference actually means, what to check before you buy, and how the 2024 reforms changed everything.
13 min
Stamp Duty in 2026: thresholds, reliefs, and how to calculate yours
Stamp Duty Land Tax in 2026, including the standard residential bands, first time buyer relief, the additional property surcharge, and how to time your transaction to reduce the bill.
12 min
What is Stamp Duty Land Tax?
SDLT is a government tax on property purchases over £125,000 in England and Northern Ireland. Rates are tiered, here's how to calculate yours.
4 min
Leasehold: five things to check before you buy
Ground rent, service charges, lease length, and the stuff developers quietly bury in the small print. A leasehold checklist from our panel firms.
6 min
The additional-property SDLT surcharge, how to avoid it accidentally
If you own any other property at the moment of completion, you pay a 5% surcharge on top of your SDLT. Here's how to time it, and when you can claim a refund.
5 min