Self Build & Conversions

Self-build Housing and Conversions 

Carrying out a conversion or building your own home can be fraught with legal pitfalls. If you’re thinking of doing either of these it’s really important to seek advice to avoid infringing any legal responsibilities you may have.

Property Development Solicitors

Russell & Russell's property team consists of specialist conveyancing solicitors who can provide expert advice to clients looking to build their own home or carry out property conversions. 

• What is self-build?

  This is the act of commissioning a bespoke home that’s tailored to your design requirements and suits your lifestyle as well as your budget. Firstly you will need to find a suitable building plot and make a pre-application discussion with your local planning office to iron out any concerns before you make an application for planning.

• When should I get finance for my project?

  It is best to get your finances in place before you put in an offer to buy the plot of land. Mortgages are more complex to arrange nowadays with tighter criteria so it is always best to be sure of your financial position before your offer is accepted.

• Do I need planning permission for a conversion?

  It depends entirely on the type of conversion you’re undertaking. We’d be able to advise you if you provide us with more information. The government’s planning portal is also a useful source of information.

• How does Russell & Russell provide a conveyancing estimate for my self build or property conversion?

  We always provide a written estimate at the outset of a transaction based on the information provided to us at that time, so that you know where you stand and to ensure that there's no misunderstanding between us at a later time. 

  In the case of residential conveyancing, we're usually able to offer a fixed fee for our time. We'll quote a fixed fee for the work normally undertaken in a standard case and will provide you with a list of additional fixed fees that we would charge if you require additional work to be undertaken. Examples of this would be arranging a Title Indemnity Policy, dealing with a Help To Buy ISA, preparing a Trust Deed or dealing with a Deed of Covenant. Furthermore, we may also be prepared to work on a “No Sale No Fee” basis – please ask about this if it is of interest to you. 

  We'll always honour the fixed fee quoted unless the information relied upon by us at the time of the estimate was incorrect or it subsequently becomes apparent that there's an aspect of the transaction that will significantly affect the amount of time that has to be spent by us – in either case we'll notify you of any such development before we proceed further. Examples of circumstances that might change the cost would be if the property is a flat, not a house as you initially informed us, if a lease extension is required or if the ownership is defective and remedial action is needed. For a free quote and breakdown of related disbursements known at this time, please use our quote enquiry form.

  In addition to receiving instructions direct from buyers and sellers, we also work alongside brokers, referrers and property agents who refer clients to us. If we've agreed to pay to them a referral fee for recommending us to act for you then we'll disclose the amount to you and we'll pay the amount involved to the referrer out of our fee.

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