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Residential Property

For many people, the sale or purchase of a house or flat is their only contact with the legal profession and whether we are acting for first time buyers or experienced property investors we always aim to ensure that our clients receive an unrivalled service which is tailored to their needs.

The conveyancing market is awash with conveyancers who work on a “pile it high and sell it cheap” model which employs mostly unqualified staff working on a “tick-box” basis.

At Laceys we think differently and provide a bespoke service so that the appropriate member of our team is assigned to provide a single point of contact throughout the transaction from initial enquiry through to any post-completion support our clients may need. This helps to create a strong and lasting relationship of trust which not only benefits our clients but also gives our staff a great deal of personal satisfaction. Find out more about how the Conveyancing process works here: Client Guide to Conveyancing 

The sale or purchase of our homes is often the most expensive and important transaction in our lifetimes yet it is surprising how many people will chose their conveyancer on the basis of the cost.

We are not the cheapest conveyancers in the market, nor do we aim to be. It is our goal to provide a quality service and value for money. We set our fees by reference to the time it takes to get to know our clients’ needs, thoroughly investigate the property, keep our clients fully informed at all times, and to ensure we have experienced and approachable professionals who can deliver this service. Find out more details of our conveyancing charges here: Cost estimates and our services guide for common residential property transactions

We like to think that our clients chose us as they trust in our skills and service. Judging by the great feedback we receive in our client surveys and the number of clients who return to us time and again we think our approach works very well.

In addition to the sales and purchases we provide a full-range of legal work relating to residential property including re-mortgages, equity release and transfer of equity, easements and rights of way, freehold enfranchisement and leasehold extension, trusts, and private mortgages.

If you would like information on our fees and related costs for a purchase, sale or re-mortgage of a residential property please download the relevant fact sheet below, or if you would like further advice please contact one of the team below to see how we can help.

                 

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    Meet the Team

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    Tony John

    Consultant — Property

    Direct dial: 01592 501891 / 07930 900545

    Email

    Tony John

    I specialise in commercial property work (freehold and leasehold), leasehold enfranchisement and residential conveyancing. Having qualified in 1973 I will soon have 50 years of experience to my name! I was originally a Partner in Fynn & Partners who merged with Laceys in 2015. I became a partner in Laceys and retired from the firm in November 2018. However, I still work for them remotely as a consultant providing support holiday cover and undertaking work for a number of clients who have stayed with me.

    Rebecca Youings

    FCILEx — Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377888

    Email

    Rebecca qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2009 after starting work in the legal sector in 1999.  After gaining experience within family law and litigation roles in local firms, Rebecca had the opportunity to move into a property role and continues to provide support to clients during the conveyancing process dealing with sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity matters.

    Rebecca has a calm and friendly manner with a focus on attention to detail and providing excellent client care.

    Away from work Rebecca loves the great outdoors and when not tending to the demands of her four legged friends, she enjoys going on long hikes and has a new love for fell walking. Rebecca is also a regular volunteer for a local event company which involves marshalling ultra-marathon trail running events in the middle of nowhere whilst cheering on all the competitors.

     

    Alex Eddy

    Senior Associate — Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377806

    Email

    Alex Eddy

    Alex is a Senior Associate in the Conveyancing team.  She obtained her Business Law degree at Bournemouth University and qualified as a Solicitor in 2002.  Alex qualified at Leightons Solicitors before moving to Matthew & Matthew and latterly Humphries Kirk with experience in all aspects of a residential conveyancing transaction. She can advise in relation to sales, purchases, new builds, shared ownership properties, remortgages, and equity release mortgages for both freehold and leasehold properties. Alex is an effective communicator and interpreter of the legal process, calming for even the most nervous of clients.

     Alex is a keen vegetable grower, rambler, painter, an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her son, Kit and dog, Max.

    Kelly Howe

    New Business Executive — Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377869

    Email

    Kelly Howe New Business for Conveyancers

    Kelly is part of the residential conveyancing team and looks after our New Client Business. Kelly has over 8 years’ experience within the estate agency field, within this period Kelly has gained experience, knowledge and in the last few years a promotion to Sales Manager.

    Working within this industry has given her a great understanding of the customers conveyancing journey, this in turn has given her the drive and motivation to maintain a helpful, friendly, proactive relationship with clients,  whilst maintaining the highest standard of customer service. In Kelly’s eyes there is no such thing a silly question, I am simply here to help! With Kelly’s background and knowledge she fills the void between estate agent and solicitor, explaining the ‘what comes next’ process and alleviating the pressures of forms and just simply being that friendly reassuring voice on the phone.

    Kelly in her spare times enjoys being mum’s taxi to her two children, spending time with her family, socialising, organising-attending face painting events and Air Cadets.

    Jane Cole

    Partner — Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377832

    Email

    Jane Cole, FCILEx in Laceys Solicitors Residential Property team
    • “The way you dealt with us is exactly the way we expected a solicitor should act, kept us informed throughout, responded quickly and professedly to all our questions which gave us confidence that things were moving along as swiftly as they could. We were always made to feel that we, and our case was important.”

      Stephen and Gillian Waring

    • “Excellent service throughout the buying and selling of my house purchase with Laceys.”

      Alison Gates

    • “Everything was handled just fine although things were a little different than usual. Our zoom calls were on time and we are happy with the way things turned out. Jane is very thorough and made certain that all correspondence from the vendor’s solicitor was dealt with despite being “pushed” by the agent.”

      Graham Woodford

    • “You helped to make the process of selling property much less stressful, which was precisely what I needed!”

      Steve Birch

    Jane qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in 2005 and is now a Partner with our Residential Property team. She deals with all aspects of Residential Conveyancing including sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfer of equity of freehold and leasehold properties. Jane has spent some of her career in Cornwall where she worked for a number of highly respected firms before moving to Bournemouth in 2016.

    Her expertise also extends to more unusual transactions such as matrimonial conveyancing, shared ownership sales and purchases, deeds of easement, equity release mortgages, drafting declarations of trust, plot sales and unregistered adverse possession applications.

    Jane appreciates that, whether it be moving house or one of the other matters she deals it can be a stressful time and endeavours to ensure that transactions proceed as smoothly as possible with her friendly and efficient service. She is a very good listener and is quick to grasp what is required to tailor the best solution to fit a client’s needs.

    In her personal life Jane has recently completed a house build and continues with numerous planning projects with her Partner. She has a boat and jet-ski and loves living by the sea.

    Amala Branford

    Senior Associate — Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377801

    Email

    Amala Branford, solicitor in Laceys Residential Property team
    • “Amala was professional and dealt with all matters that arose competently and with speed, whilst being kept well informed of the situation as it progressed. I have complete confidence in Laceys and wouldn't hesitate to recommend or use the company again in the future.”

      Barbara Adams

    • “I was more than happy with the advice and support I received throughout my sale and purchase. Amala was both helpful and supportive.”

      Rodney Symes

    • “The service received was professional and friendly and considering the constraints of Covid I thought the whole service was very good indeed.”

      Lyn Perry, Gillian Ellmes

    • “Amala was always very helpful, honest and professional. Able to explain clearly in layman's terms and I felt she was was acting in my best interests at all times.”

      Pam

    Amala is a Senior Associate working in our Residential Property department based in Bournemouth. Amala specialises in all aspects of residential conveyancing including sales, purchases and re-mortgages of freehold and leasehold properties, registered and unregistered land, equity release and new build properties.

    Amala’s career path started at the University of Exeter in 1994 with LLB (Hons) 2:1 followed by Legal Practice Course at University of the West of England.  She then moved to Bournemouth in 1996 where she qualified as a Solicitor in 1998 and worked at Steele Raymond until 2009.

    Amala took a short career break to have a baby, before working at RWPS (since merged with Dutton Gregory) for 8 years until joining Laceys in 2019.

    Her aim is to provide an efficient service using clear, easy to understand advice to make the process of moving house as smooth, stress-free and jargon-free as possible.

    Outside of work, Amala likes to keep active having completed several half marathons, the London 46 cycle sportive and three Moonwalks over the last few years. She can often be found on her bike trying (usually unsuccessfully) to keep up with her son and husband…

    Zoe Joyce

    Conveyancer — Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377885

    Email

    • “ Zoe was very logical and practical with our conveyancing. Think the sale may have had a few oddities along the way but Zoe dealt with anything that cropped up as a matter of course. She was extremely competent - and had a sense of humour at the same time - which certainly helped!”

      G Wilson and V Summerell

    • “Many thanks for your help in the sale of Willoughby. Your professional ability made an oasis of calm amid the chaos!”

      Max Edwards

    • “Zoe was very efficient and professional. Everything was taken care of instantly. We are extremely happy with the service we were provided. ”

      Amy

    • “Very many thanks for all your hard work and unstinting dedication in achieving completion. We are extremely grateful and cannot praise you high enough. ”

      Gillian and Robert Quincey

    Zoe has 38 years extensive experience in the legal profession, now working in our residential property team, acting for a range of clients relating to residential conveyancing, transfers of equity and remortgages.

    Zoe started her career as a legal secretary, before going on to work in probate and then as a PA for a number of years, before joining Coles Miller in 2000.  Zoe progressed from a conveyancing assistant to managing her own caseload which involved residential conveyancing, transfer of equities, remortgages and beach hut sales and purchases. She then made the move to Laceys in 2014.

    Outside of work, Zoe enjoys going on holidays, visiting her son Jack in South Indiana, eating out and generally socialising with family and friends over a drink or two!

    Mark Preece

    Partner — Commercial and Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377862

    Email

    Mark Preece image profile
    • “Mark and the team take great care of our commercial property requirements. We have always been delighted with their service.”

      Simon Ward, NSN Propertis Ltd

    • “Quick, responsive service. Prepared to recommend a way forward and not sit on the fence.”

      Guy Eccles

    • “Efficient, competent and friendly.”

      Michael Bond

    • “Straightforward. Everything kept clear and simple.”

      Nicola Maidment

    • “I appreciate the personal service and the feeling that my business is important. I also respond well to a friendly approach.”

      Andrew Taylor

    • “Mark noted the requirements of the sale and worked very hard to achieve an excellent prompt outcome. He phoned me immediately the deal was done!”

      Paul R Barry

    • “Excellent service provided by Mark Preece and his team.”

      Francis & Natalia Erard

    • “Everyone at Lacey's seem to have my best interest at heart and act super efficiently. A pleasure to deal with.”

      John Beauchamp

    Mark qualified as a solicitor in 2008 after gaining an LLB (2003) and LLM (2005) at university’s in Birmingham.  He completed his training contract with the North Dorset and South Wiltshire firm now known as Farnfields LLP and joined Horsey Lightly Fynn (HLF) in Bournemouth in 2011.  He became a partner at HLF in 2014 and at merger of HLF and Laceys became a partner in the merged firm in 2015.

    Mark is a partner working across our Commercial and Residential property teams acting for a wide variety of clients from property developers, property investors, businesses, first time buyers and those needing advice relating to enfranchisement and residential landlord and tenant dealing with all aspects of property work.

    Away from work Mark spends his time with his wife and their three young boys who keep them very busy.

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    John Munro

    Partner — Commercial and Residential Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377839

    Email

    John Munro, head of Property, Laceys Solicitors
    • “John Munro was friendly and very approachable, advising me with a clear depth of knowledge and experience. I have since recommended him and will do so if asked in the future.”

      N. Pitts-Crick

    • “Having dealt with Laceys on many a sale and purchase I’ve always found them to be efficient, knowledgeable and attentive. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to family, friends and clients.”

      Stuart Cockram - Frost and Co

    • “We have always been very happy with the service provided by Laceys Solicitors, in both our business legal requirements and domestic property conveyancing.”

      Mark Edney

    • “You are our solicitor Superhero! Very grateful. ”

      Maria - Tom Frowde Architects

    • “Changing solicitors is not to be undertaken lightly. However really impressed with the way that John Munro and his associates have dealt with us over the last couple of years in a variety of complex property related transactions and on the commercial and personal front as well. We look forward to working with them going forward.”

      Malcolm Tice, Director - Tice & Son Ltd

    John joined Laceys in 2001 on a training contract, having completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Law in 2000, and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. He is now the Head of the Commercial and Residential Property Departments.

    He is also the firm’s Senior Responsible Officer under the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) with overall responsibility for the management of the property team and their delivery of the excellent service that our clients have come to expect.

    John acts in his own capacity for a number of commercial property owners, developers and investors, but also allocates time to ensure his team are up to speed with changing law and professional regulations and clients are provided with members of the team who possess the right skills to deal with their individual requirements, delivering projects in the most time and cost-efficient manner.

    Outside of work John seems to spend a great deal of time ferrying his children around but occasionally gets to put his feet up and listen to his eclectic collection of vinyl. He is also not averse to a good cheeseboard and a glass of IPA.

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    Jonathan Ogden

    Senior Partner — Commercial Property

    Direct dial: 01202 377840

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    Jonathan Ogden profile picture

    Jonathan Ogden, who specialises in Commercial property, qualified from Guildford College of Law in 1987. He is both the longest serving partner at Laceys, having been with the firm since 1985, and the senior partner.

    He advises a wide client base on new site acquisitions for both residential and commercial developments, as well as hoteliers in connection with sales and purchases of hotels and associated businesses. He also assists with commercial tenancies, either with landlords granting leases to commercial tenants or vice versa.

    Jonathan prides himself in being results driven and has a number of longstanding clients whom he has looked after for over 10 years, not only demonstrating the longevity of his work relationships but also proving he can deliver!

    Outside of the office, he enjoys a busy social life sampling local restaurants as well as entertaining at home. When time permits he likes to immerse himself in a good book or sit back and watch a film. He also has a desire to complete a Philosophy Degree at some point in the future – watch this space!

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    Fact Sheets

    • Cost Estimates

      For common residential property transactions

      Download

    • Client Guide to Conveyancing

      Download

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