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Writing on moving home, minus the jargon.

Plain English pieces on UK conveyancing, Stamp Duty, leasehold and the bits between offer accepted and keys in hand. Written by The Home Panel and our regulated panel firms.
An aerial view of English terraced houses and their gardens.
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
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A whitewashed British coastal cottage with a small planted front garden.
Legal

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
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A homebuyer's calculator and budget notebook on a light oak table.
Legal

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
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A modern British brick apartment building with balconies and a communal entrance.
Legal

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
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Traditional houses and modern flats on the same British residential street.
Legal

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
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An Edwardian British home with a bay window and lavender-lined path.
Legal

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
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The stone facade and burgundy entrance door of a British townhouse.
Legal

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
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A modern apartment building's shared entrance with an intercom and mailboxes.
Legal

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
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Two separate sets of house keys on a pale stone console.
Legal

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
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