The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates, again, this week. But if you are already on the move, or the wheels are in motion, or you are selling a property, can you make it a little less fraught?

Hugely experienced lawyer Lauren Martin from Thatcher + Hallam LLP has these tips, all within a helpful short video, which may help.

Moving house – top tips to help the stress!

Buying or selling a house can be a very stressful time and there can be several things that can cause the process to be delayed. Here are our top tips on how to make your house move go as smoothly as possible.

Find the right conveyancer

Your conveyancer will be key in making sure the lead up to your move is as stress free as possible and so finding the right one for you is of upmost importance. Your conveyancer will liaise with the other side and the estate agents, on your behalf, taking some of the stress away from you. Your conveyancer will update you when necessary and also liaise and update the estate agent so that they can keep everyone else in the chain updated and coordinated.

Though you may be tempted to go with the cheapest option when it comes to the legal fees involved remember that the quality of the legal work is perhaps the most important thing to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible and you do not have any issues when you try to mortgage or sell in the future.

Find a good estate agent

If you need an update on the progress of the chain, a good estate agent is vital. They are the glue that holds the transaction together as they can speak to everyone in the chain to keep the move coordinated and everyone updated.

Be organised

You can help speed up the process by instructing your conveyancer as early as possible as there is lots to be done in preparation for your move.

Make sure you have all your most up to date documentation in order so that it can be processed as quickly as possible. This might include mortgage and insurance documentation as well as identity documents. Getting your mortgage application approved in principle before you start house hunting will also speed up the process once you have an offer accepted.

This will also include copies of all relevant documents such as planning permissions, Building Regulations and Guarantees if you are selling a property.

If the property is leasehold be prepared for a longer transaction time

Leasehold properties require a lot of extra legal information. If you are selling a leasehold property speak to the person who collects rent and service charges and find out who provides the legal pack and how much you need to pay. By having this information ready you can save time in the transaction. If you are buying or selling a leasehold property, be prepared for it to take longer. It's important that all the information is provided and checked by your conveyancer as the financial responsibility for the lease will pass to you when you complete the purchase of the property and again, you do not want to have problems when you come to sell or mortgage in the future.

Sign and return documentation

If your conveyancer asks you questions, answer as soon as possible. If you do not understand or are concerned about answering enquiries, ring your conveyancer or arrange an appointment to see them, they will be happy to help. Sign and return the contract and Transfer when received together with any other documentation sent to you.

Your conveyancer will not exchange contracts until everyone in the chain is ready, signed up and agreed a completion date and this has been authorised by you.

Be flexible

Let your conveyancer know dates when you really cannot complete your transaction and let them work with the rest of the chain to find a date that suits everyone. The estate agent can be very helpful negotiating dates with everyone in the chain. A lot of people think they have to move on a Friday but you can complete on any week day and in fact removals are often cheaper mid-week than on a Friday.

Do not try to agree dates as soon as a sale/purchase is agreed as it is not possible to predict when the chain is ready and people in the chain become disappointed which causes more stress if that date is not met.

Source of funds and gifts on a purchase

Your Conveyancer is bound by regulation to check where any personal funds have originated from. This is known as source of wealth and source of funds checks. Unfortunately, it feels like someone is prying into your financial affairs, however the Conveyancer is obligated to do this. Be prepared by having bank and personal financial statements ready for early supply to your conveyancing solicitor for checking. Please be aware that if funds are being gifted from family, then, similar ID and money source checks will need to be carried out for them too.

Packing and preparing to move

Once you have agreed a completion date and exchanged contracts you will need book a removals company. Prior to exchange it is a good idea to decide how much help you will need in terms of packing your belongings and how much money you are willing to spend then compare companies to find the best deal and get some quotes. When selling a property, make sure you have cleared the property by 12 noon, including any rubbish or possessions which you have not sold to the buyer. If you do not do this, you could be charged penalties under the contract.

Once you have moved into your new home you will need to update your address and notify the relevant people that you have moved house. This might include banks, insurance companies, utility companies, doctors and dentists and your place of work. You may also need to update your driving licence.

If you need help with house completion - or any other legal matters - Thatcher + Hallam are happy to help. Tel: 01761 414646, Fax: 01761 413754, Email: [email protected] - and they have a FREE legal surgery every Thursday. More details HERE