RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Property Finance

We are expert property finance solicitors, here to help you with remortgages, equity release, and other property finance matters, with complete transparency on costs.

Our property team handles the conveyancing. We verify your title, conduct required searches, liaise with lenders, and complete transactions efficiently. We’re on most major lender panels, so you can appoint us regardless of your chosen lender.

Remortgage conveyancing

Handling all legal work for switching lenders, verifying title, conducting required searches, and registering your new mortgage charge.

Equity release

Managing the legal aspects of releasing equity from your property, coordinating with specialist equity release lenders.

Help to Buy

Acting on Help to Buy equity loan transactions, liaising with Homes England, and managing the additional requirements of the scheme.

Transfer of equity

Adding or removing names from a property title, obtaining lender consent, and registering ownership changes with Land Registry.

Lender panel membership

Approved on most major UK lender panels, so we can act for both you and your lender in the same transaction.

We review your title, conduct required searches, and report to your new lender on the property’s legal status. Remortgages are generally faster than purchases because you already own the property. Timescales depend on your lender and circumstances.

On completion day, we receive funds from your new lender, redeem your existing mortgage, and register the new charge. If you’re also releasing equity, the additional funds transfer to your account at the same time.

Remortgaging

We handle all legal work for switching lenders or changing terms, coordinating with your old and new lender to complete the transaction efficiently.

Equity release

We manage the conveyancing for equity release products, working with specialist equity release lenders and ensuring all legal requirements are met.

Transfer of equity

We prepare transfer deeds, obtain lender consent, calculate any Stamp Duty liability, and register ownership changes promptly with Land Registry.

Buying a Property

Clear conveyancing support from offer acceptance through completion and moving day.

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Leasehold

Advice on leasehold ownership, extensions, obligations, disputes, and property transactions.

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Selling a Property

Practical support selling commercial property, from preparation through to completion smoothly.

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William, our virtual assistant, can answer your questions about finding the right property finance advice

Fosters Solicitors handles remortgages, equity release, and property finance transactions across Norfolk and Suffolk. We’re on most major lender panels, so we can act for you regardless of your chosen lender. Fixed fees and efficient turnarounds mean you meet offer deadlines without uncertainty.

All major lender panels

Approved on most major UK lender panels, so you don't need a lender-appointed solicitor.

Competitive fixed fees

Remortgage legal fees from a competitive fixed rate, with full quotes provided before instruction.

Fast completions

Most remortgages complete within 4 to 6 weeks, with priority given to meeting mortgage offer deadlines.

Do I need a solicitor to remortgage?

Yes, lenders require a solicitor to handle the legal work. The solicitor verifies you own the property, checks the title is acceptable security, conducts required searches, obtains redemption figures from your existing lender, and registers the new mortgage charge once your existing one is removed. You can use the same solicitor to represent both you and your new lender, reducing costs. We’re on most major lender panels, so you can appoint us directly rather than using a lender-appointed firm.

How long does remortgaging take?

Completion timescales depend on your lender, the complexity of your case, and whether any title issues arise. The process involves reviewing your title, conducting required searches, reporting to your lender, and obtaining redemption figures from your existing lender. Once your lender approves our report and you’ve signed documents, we book completion. Simple remortgages often complete in 4 weeks. Mortgage offers are typically valid for 3 to 6 months, giving you time to arrange the legal work.

What does remortgage conveyancing cost?

Our legal fees for remortgages depend on the complexity of your case. Contact us for a tailored quote. Disbursements include Land Registry searches, bankruptcy searches, registration fees, and transfer fees. Your existing lender may also charge exit fees or early repayment charges if you’re leaving a fixed-rate deal early. We provide full cost estimates including all anticipated fees before instruction, so there are no surprises.

Can I release equity when remortgaging?

Yes, if you have sufficient equity and meet your lender’s criteria. Equity release through remortgaging means borrowing more than your current mortgage balance and receiving the difference as cash. The amount you can release depends on your lender’s criteria and your property’s value. Released equity can be used for home improvements, debt consolidation, or other purposes. Increasing your mortgage increases monthly payments and total interest paid. We handle the legal aspects and ensure the additional funds transfer to you securely on completion.

What is a transfer of equity?

Transfer of equity is the legal process of changing who owns a property without selling it. Common scenarios include adding a partner’s name, removing an ex-partner after separation, transferring a property to children for estate planning, or restructuring ownership between family members. The process involves preparing a transfer deed, obtaining lender consent if there’s a mortgage, calculating any Stamp Duty Land Tax liability, and registering the change with Land Registry. If you’re simultaneously remortgaging, we coordinate both transactions together.

Is Stamp Duty payable on a transfer of equity?

It depends on the circumstances and the value being transferred. Stamp duty can apply when someone acquires an interest in property through an equity transfer. Tax is calculated on the value transferred plus the new owner’s share of any existing mortgage. Key exemptions include transfers between spouses during divorce proceedings, transfers for no consideration where no mortgage exists, and transfers below Stamp Duty thresholds. We calculate your exact position and include any liability in our quote.

When is the best time to remortgage?

The optimal time is typically 3 to 6 months before your current deal ends. This gives you time to compare rates, obtain offers, and complete the legal work before reverting to your lender’s standard variable rate, which is usually higher. Many lenders allow you to start the remortgage process before your current deal ends. Check your mortgage terms for details on early repayment charges. Starting 4 months before your deal ends gives comfortable time to complete while securing current rates.