Specialist conveyancing lawyers for the Forest of Dean and beyond
At Drew Property Law, we are experts in both residential property law and conveyancing, servicing clients locally in the Forest of Dean and nationally throughout England and Wales. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or moving into your forever home or anything in between, with our friendly and knowledgeable team, you know you’ll be looked after, every step of the way.
Mission
We deliver conveyancing services representing great value for money and adhering to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical practice. Buying a property or moving house can be stressful. We’re here to make it as painless as possible.
Expertise
Our experience and knowledge means we are specialists in property law and all of the legal elements of residential conveyancing. With us, you are assured of the pinnacle of professionalism and the strictest attention to detail.
Approach
We strive for 100% client satisfaction, always going that extra mile to ensure things run as smoothly as possible. And if there is a bump in the road, we will help you navigate it with clear, plain-English advice and support.
Conveyancing Services
Sale
If you have a property to sell, we can help you understand all the legal requirements and processes involved. Our services and fees will always be transparent and if anything changes due to complications, we will keep you fully informed and up to date at all stages of the sale. We will liaise with the legal team of your buyer and can also keep any estate agents informed on your behalf.
Purchase
Often, a sale and purchase will occur at the same time and we will ensure that all those involved in a chain are kept up to date and informed on progress. There are a lot of moving parts when you’re buying and selling, but with us in your corner, you won’t need to worry about them – we’ve got it covered.
Remortgage
When your mortgage deal comes to an end, sometimes your existing lender will offer you a great deal. But sometimes, the best option is to switch to another provider – remortgaging. While simpler than a sale or purchase, there are still legal requirements when remortgaging and we can take care of everything on your behalf, liaising with your existing and new provider to ensure a smooth transition.
Lease
Buying some types of properties will involve a lease – typically flats or apartments where a third party owns the ‘freehold’ of the property. We will ensure all leases are correctly set up and have a sufficient length of time remaining to satisfy mortgage providers. The details are what we are all about, meaning you can be reassured that everything is in hand.
Deeds / declarations of trust
Buying and owning a property with another person may mean you want or need a deed or declaration of trust. In simple terms, this is a legal document that clearly sets out the ownership structure of the property, which in turn dictates what happens in the event that the property is sold or one of the owners passes away. Knowling that your share of a property, or the proceeds of any sale, will be passed in accordance with your wishes can provide welcome peace of mind.
Specialist Conveyancing FAQs
So why do I need a conveyancer?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. In England and Wales, you’re not legally required to use a conveyancer, but it’s strongly advisable, and in fact most mortgage lenders will insist on it to ensure the legal ‘charge’ their loan is secured against is legally enforceable. As licensed conveyancers, we handle all the legal paperwork, searches, contracts, and Land Registry requirements on your behalf, protecting you from costly mistakes and making the process as straightforward as we can.
Sounds expensive… how much does it all cost?
At Drew Property Law, we are always transparent about our fee structure and work hard to make sure they remain competitive. All of our costs and chargers are available on our Prices page with no hidden surprises.
You’re based in the Forest of Dean. Do I need to find a local conveyancer if I live further away?
Not at all. While we’re based near Lydney, we act for clients throughout England and Wales. The conveyancing process is largely document-based or electronic and can therefore be handled entirely remotely. Your location is no barrier to getting specialist, affordable legal support from Drew Property Law, and we’re always on the end of the phone if you need us.
If I’m buying with a partner, do I need a Declaration of Trust or should we be looking at joint ownership?
When two or more people buy a property together, they need to decide how the ownership is held. As joint tenants (where each party owns the whole property together) or tenants in common (where each holds a defined share) a Declaration of Trust sets this out in writing, along with the financial contributions and responsibilities of each party. It’s particularly important and common for unmarried couples, friends buying together, or where contributions to the deposit are not equal. We can advise on the right structure and draft the document for you as required.
How long does conveyancing take?
A straightforward freehold purchase can typically be completed within 8-12 weeks from the point of agreeing a sale. This can vary depending on the length of the chain, mortgage approvals process, and how promptly all parties respond to queries, and leasehold transactions can take longer, but we will keep things moving for you as swiftly as we can.
What safeguard do we have that you know what you’re doing?
You’re in safe hands. We are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) which is the specialist regulator for property law practices in England and Wales. CLC-regulated firms must adhere to strict standards of professional conduct, client care, and financial protection. At Drew Property Law, we operate under CLC license number 14736, giving you the same legal protections you’d expect from any regulated legal practice.