Buying a Second Home
Contact
Simon Nosworthy
Table of Contents
Buying a second home is an exciting step, but it comes with several considerations, including understanding the rules for buying a second home, exploring options like releasing equity to buy a second home, and evaluating the tax implications of buying a second home. Regardless of whether you’re looking to expand your property portfolio or purchase a holiday residencet, an informed grasp of these elements is important to making a well-informed purchase.
Guide to buying a second home
Almost three-quarters of a million households in England own a second home, according to official government figures.
Half a million of these homes are located in the UK.
Second homes are either:
- Homes that are mainly used as a holiday home or for occupation while working away from home. Some people may rent out their second homes for a few weeks or months of the year as holiday let, but that is not their main purpose; or
- Homes that are bought for the benefit of another. Getting on the property ladder can be tough, so you may buy a second property for your adult child to live in as a way to offer a helping hand.
Buy-to-let properties are investment properties and we have separate resources for that. If you are thinking about making your first buy-to-let investment or expanding your rental property portfolio, our buy-to-let solicitors can provide expert advice.
Rules for buying a second home
How is buying a second home different to buying a primary residence? To answer this question, you should know that the legal conveyancing process follows the same basic steps, regardless of whether the property is your main home or a second home, including anti-money laundering checks.
Your solicitor will perform the usual checks and searches to ensure that property has a good and marketable title. They will also verify that there are no restrictions that could hamper how you plan to use the property. For instance, there might be covenants or restrictions in the title that stop you from using the property as a holiday let if you do want to Airbnb it some of the time.
Additionally, some holiday areas require special attention. There may be planning conditions that limit occupancy to those with ties to the local area, or you may need permissions to carry out refurbishments if the home is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a National Park. Your solicitor can explain the legal and practical implications of these types of conditions.
Besides the conveyancing process, there are some key financial differences in the way you purchase a second home, mostly around tax and mortgages.
Financing the purchase of a second home
Unless you are fortunate enough to be able to buy outright, you will need a mortgage to finance the purchase of a second home.
Mortgaging a personal bolt hole
A standard residential mortgage is suitable if you are planning to use your second home yourself and have no plans to rent it out. Your lender will want to ensure that you can manage the payments on both your existing mortgage and the new one, so expect a thorough review of your financial situation. To reassure them, they will likely require a larger deposit, usually about 15% to 20% of the property’s value.
Paying off the mortgage on your first home will put you in a better position to secure a mortgage on your second home.
If you plan to use the property as a private holiday home but later decide to rent it out, you will have to apply for consent from your mortgage lender. Your solicitor can check these restrictions before you commit.
Mortgaging a rental property
A furnished property that is available to let for 210 or more days a year is classified as a holiday let property and cannot be bought with a standard residential mortgage. Some lenders also won’t let you borrow on short-term lets like Airbnb because the number of guests is a risk.
You may need to shop around for a commercial mortgage product.
Releasing equity to buy a second home
Are you thinking of buying a second home without selling the first? If there is sufficient equity in your main home, then releasing equity to buy a second home is an option. You may be able to remortgage with your existing lender or switch to a new mortgage provider.
Equity-release mortgages offer another option for releasing some of the equity in your home as a tax-free cash lump sum which you can use to fund a second home purchase. Aimed at older homeowners, these products are structured as a lifetime mortgage and repayable when the borrower dies or enters long-term care, so you don’t need to make monthly repayments.
Whether refinancing or equity release is a good idea or not will depend on the amount of equity you have, the conditions of the mortgage product, and whether the refinancing will trigger any early repayment charges.
Our expert remortgaging solicitors at Osbornes Law can help explain your options.
Tax implications of buying a second home
When purchasing an additional property, taxes differ from those associated with your primary residence. These include higher stamp duty rates and potential changes in council tax.
Stamp Duty Land Tax on second homes
Stamp Duty Land Tax is payable on any residential property over £250,000 in England. The tax is charged on a sliding scale according to the home’s value.
However, if you already own a residential property, the threshold is lower. If the second property is worth more than £40,000, you’ll have to pay stamp duty on the whole purchase price.
You’ll also pay a higher percentage of stamp duty, which currently is 3% on top of the ordinary stamp duty rate. So, on a home costing £500,000, instead of paying £12,500, you will pay £27,500.
There is a stamp duty calculator on the government website which can help you work out how much you might have to pay.
Council tax on second homes
Most councils do not give a council tax discount for second homes. There may be some discounts for job-related accommodation, which your solicitor can advise on.
From 1 April 2025, you can be charged up to twice the normal council tax for a second home. Each council will decide whether the property is a ‘second home’ and whether to charge this additional tax, and must give a year’s notice when adopting this policy. Not all councils have voted on this yet, so check with your local council before purchasing a second home.
In Wales, local authorities already have the ability to set council tax premiums on second homes at 300% of the standard council tax rate.
Some properties are liable to pay business rates instead of residential council tax. Currently in England, if your property is available for holiday let for 140 days a year, and is actually let for at least 70 days, you pay business rates rather than council tax. This could be beneficial, especially as some councils are looking to increase council tax on second homes.
Thinking of buying a second home?
If you’re thinking about buying a second home in the UK, you probably have plenty of questions regarding mortgages, taxes and more. That’s where we come in.
At Osbornes Law, our team of conveyancing solicitors has a wealth of experience in guiding people through the process of buying a second home. You can feel confident working with us to make your second home purchase smooth and straightforward, with all the proper legalities taken care of.
To speak with one of our solicitors, contact us by:
- Filling in our online enquiry form; or
- Calling us on 020 7485 8811
Share this article
Speak to us about Buying a Second Home
Call us 020 7485 8811
For all new enquiries, please submit your details via the contact forms on our website. This will ensure your query reaches the right team and is handled promptly.
Your expert advice and guidance, and prompt and regular contact, has been much appreciated. If we ever buy at auction again (!), we will be back in touch!
I can’t tell you how much I appreciated Aprill's help with all of this. She made my first time at auction so much more bearable!
I will be in touch when I hopefully buy the next one!
Thank you so much to Aprill for her excellent work. Getting this over the line so quickly and smoothly has been hugely appreciated.
Couldn’t have got through the stress of moving without your help
It has been such a pleasure. I was worried that it would be a very stressful and difficult process but Aprill made it so easy and definitely a lot less stressful for me as a first time buyer.
Aprill kept me fully informed, explained each step, and was consistently available to address any questions or concerns. Her dedication and ability to navigate the challenges with efficiency were hugely appreciated as she is pretty much the sole reason that we managed to get the sale over the line.
From the outset, Aprill impressed me with her professionalism and responsiveness. The transaction was problematic with complications, and the situation was stressful. To Aprill’s credit she immediately grasped the urgency and complexities involved and brought a calm, proactive approach that made a real difference whilst trying to protect me as the seller.
He is well-regarded for his specialist expertise regarding housing and community care, as well as matters pertaining to asylum support.
Alex McMahon routinely represents tenants in possession and disrepair proceedings, and has further experience handling disability discrimination and anti-social behaviour matters.
Alex is a real pleasure to work with and a skilled lawyer.
Alex McMahon is very committed to his area.
His practice covers areas such as community care and welfare benefits, particularly in relation to migrants.
William Ford is experienced in representing tenants in disrepair and possession claims, as well as homelessness appeals and judicial reviews concerning allocation of housing.
Will picks up complex points very quickly and has good judgement. He can explain very complicated and technical things into plain language.
William is a very talented lawyer. He is very good on technical points and public law.
William Ford is a legend. He is really knowledgeable, determined and tenacious.
William is a real expert in his field.
Alex McMahon focuses primarily on public law litigation, with much of his practice involving judicial review.
Alex McMahon is a delight to work with. He brings expertise from across the fields of housing and community care and is dogged in getting positive outcomes for his clients.
Alex focuses on cases in relation to the Equality Act 2010 and human rights defences.
Alex McMahon is a key member of the team.
William Ford has acted in numerous successful judicial reviews on behalf of vulnerable clients.
William Ford leads the team, bringing extensive experience across public law, including housing, welfare, community care, and migrant support.
William Ford heads the practice and has experience representing clients in a broad range of housing matters, including homelessness appeals, defending disrepair claims and unlawful evictions, as well as acting for clients in judicial review challenges.
William Ford is an excellent solicitor.
Will has conducted difficult cases in the highest courts, but is equally at home achieving difficult results for clients entirely under the radar.
William Ford is one of the top figures in the field, with a towering reputation.
William is rightly regarded as a leader in the fields of both housing and community care and a real go-to for complex claims.
William Ford is a powerhouse. He is extremely sharp and has great tactical judgement.
Alex McMahon is a fantastic lawyer. His commitment to his clients is remarkable - I have never seen anyone put so much energy and care into a case.
Will is the best housing solicitor there is and he has the best housing law mind I have come across. He is really exceptional and incredibly helpful for both clients and people in the sector.
He is the best lawyer someone could ever ask for. He is always proactive in working with his clients.
William Ford achieves exceptional results for his clients.
William is always well prepared and knowledgeable.
William Ford is incredibly helpful for clients and people in the sector.
William Ford is simply an amazing fellow. He is diligent, outstanding, amazing, reliable and dedicated to his work.
He is brilliantly committed and dedicated to this area of law.
William Ford leads the team as an excellent example of a highly committed, tenacious, and effective public lawyer.
Alex McMahon is an excellent public law solicitor who works across housing and community care. He is highly effective, efficient, and adept at working with vulnerable clients.
Alex McMahon is a recommended lawyer, who also specialises in complex age dispute cases
William Ford has a forensic knowledge of housing law and is extremely intelligent, very thorough, and excellent with clients
William Ford is one of the most highly-regarded solicitors in his area.
Alex McMahon is an extremely safe pair of hands for any housing issues.
Will is a knowledgeable and experienced litigator. He is adept at achieving great results for his clients.
William Ford has long been a leading individual in the housing law world.
William has taken some brilliant cases to the highest court. He is diligent, intelligent and very dedicated to his clients.
Alex McMahon is another notable team member who practices across housing law, public law, and community care.
Ford is well-equipped to bring judicial review claims, and he has a strong focus on supporting migrants.
Practice head William Ford is praised as ‘the best housing and social security lawyer in the sector.
I recently had the pleasure of working with Joanne from Osbornes Law, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From start to finish, their professionalism, expertise, and attention to detail were exemplary. Ultimately, thanks to Joanne's hard work and dedication, my housing issue was resolved in a timely and satisfactory manner. I couldn't be happier with the level of service I received, and I would recommend Joanne and Osbornes Law without hesitation to anyone seeking legal advice or representation in the housing arena.
Joanne Wong was incredibly supportive and her advice and expertise helped get me through a very difficult and upsetting situation. She listened to my concerns and was very responsive and friendly and provided a generous discount. I would be more than happy to use her services and representation again.
Joanne Wong expertly helped us navigate a challenging property litigation matter. I recommend her unreservedly for residential property litigation. As well as confidently guiding us through the legal and court process, her wise counsel on strategic issues always made us feel that we were being advised by a highly experienced professional. We also appreciated the transparency on costs.
Incredibly knowledgeable and very intelligent. Will knows how to use public law to the advantage of his clients
Will Ford is exceptional
William Ford is unbelievably clever and very considerate to his clients
Will is a very down-to-earth guy who produces really fantastic work; it is a joy to work on cases with him
Will is a very able and unbelievably clever lawyer who is on top of his subject and is very considerate to his clients.
Alex McMahon was always calm and reasonable, friendly and helpful. He has a thorough knowledge of the subject and is a strong negotiator
Alex McMahon routinely represents tenants in possession and disrepair proceedings and has further experience handling disability discrimination and anti-social behaviour matters.
Alex McMahon has experience running Equality Act and human rights defenses.
Alex McMahon is brilliant with vulnerable clients and very thorough.
Modern practice headed by Will Ford who has developed an excellent team. Able to take on the most difficult cases at short notice and prepare excellent electronic paperwork for the courts.
William Ford is the best housing and public law solicitor of his generation.
Will Ford is a stand-out expert and is incredibly dedicated to the field.
There are some incredibly committed and knowledgeable lawyers, such as Will Ford.
Will is involved in cutting-edge cases in the higher courts as well as invaluable frontline work and brings the same focus and dedication to both
Will Ford is a highly respected practitioner who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of housing law. He is extremely intelligent and very hard-working.
Will Ford is hands down one of the best housing lawyers out there. Clever, pragmatic, good with clients, reasonable with opponents, incredibly knowledgeable and, as a result, extremely effective
Ford is particularly notable in community care matters and its crossover with housing law, an area which is a growing specialism for the team.
The social housing team at Osbornes is led by William Ford, a ‘standout‘ expert in all aspects of social housing who is ‘involved in cutting-edge cases in the higher courts as well as invaluable frontline work'
"Alex McMahon is really good and committed to his clients."
"It is a pleasure to work with Alex. He is fiercely committed to clients, with a creative approach to challenges."
"He is very efficient and well clued up in the areas he covers. Alex is experienced, knowledgeable and extremely competent."
"Alex is a brilliant lawyer who provides a fantastic service to all his clients."
William Ford is experienced in representing tenants in disrepair and possession claims, as well as homelessness appeals and judicial reviews concerning allocation of housing.
"He has a really good eye for detail, able to untangle and trace complicated matters. He has real expertise in welfare public law issues."
"Will is very technically competent and smart and he's very generous with his time."
"William is truly extraordinary. He is wonderful, clever, bright, and helps everyone in understanding the law."
"He is absolutely brilliant and is a very effective litigator for clients who don't have many options. He is very pragmatic, measured and reasonable - he appeals to common sense, which makes him an effective negotiator."
"William Ford is truly extraordinary - he helps everyone and knows the law better than anyone."
"Will Ford is a test case lawyer whose practice spans Social Housing and Welfare issues, his breadth of knowledge in both fields in invaluable to those working in his team."
"Osbornes’ team have grown in size and stature under the excellent leadership of Will Ford."
"Will Ford stands out as an exceptional and highly regarded lawyer in the field."
"The lawyer that was helping me with my case was William Ford was simply amazing – if a partner shows all these qualities, this must, I’m sure, filter down to the rest of the employees due to the example set."
"Will Ford recently took over a case from a departing colleague and was immediately on top of all the issues in a fact-heavy case; he is always available to speak to and in a case against a hard-to-manage litigant in person he was excellent."
"Alex McMahon is a specialist within judicial review, frequently representing claimants against public bodies."
"He is excellent - meticulous attention to detail and very knowledgeable."
I have had dealings with Guy Osborn and his colleagues at Osbornes Law since December 2019, during which time I have led a process involving 20 leaseholders in a block of flats in Camden Town. Guy and his colleagues have been impeccably professional, immensely helpful, cordial and attentive. They have always responded quickly and clearly to our queries, and helped us to negotiate the complexities of the process, which has come to a successful conclusion.
It has been nothing but a pleasure to work with Osbornes. I would recommend the firm warmly to anyone.
Practice head William Ford takes on public law challenges involving housing rights, community care, welfare benefits and support for migrants, among other areas. His work in the field of housing law often involves challenging local authorities' refusals to honour statutory obligations.
William Ford is a very well-known and well-respected solicitor who has acted in some of the most important recent public law cases involving housing and welfare issues. He is extremely intelligent, always on top of the latest legal developments, and very committed to his clients.
Will Ford – one of a handful of specialists in social security law. Outstanding experience & knowledge of complex statutory schemes.
Will is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge across the fields of housing and social welfare law allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations.
Will Ford is a leading figure in the social housing field. He is highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems.
Will Ford – very experienced, highly professional and with a wide and deep knowledge of social housing litigation and related social welfare areas of law.
Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers.
“It is always a pleasure to be instructed by Jo. Her cases arrive prepared to a very high standard, making it clear where one’s input is required. Her thorough trial and mediation preparation and client care smoothen the litigation process, whilst her constructive attitude and tactical awareness ensures that her clients receive fantastic representation.”
“I found out about Osbornes after attending their free legal advice clinic at St Michael’s Church. From the start, I was given an excellent service which I would rate as 100%. If it was not for Joanne I would have lost my home and would be sleeping on the streets right now. I found all the staff members very nice, friendly and professional. I would highly recommend Osbornes to my friends.”
“I found it all very professional and friendly at Osbornes. I am extremely happy with the outcome; my solicitor took away the stress of my case. I received a significant damages settlement from my Landlord (£28,500.00), which has really helped me in my new home. I would definitely recommend Osbornes in the future.”
"Guy has been so helpful. He responded promptly to my queries, explained things clearly, no jargon, and has been warm and human throughout. I felt well supported and would recommend Osbornes to anyone looking for legal help, their service is excellent and fairly priced."
"Simon Nosworthy at Osbornes, ably assisted by Emma Healey, recently completed the sale of a flat for my sister and me, and we cannot speak too highly of them. These are solicitors who have ‘direct dial’ at the foot of their communications, who answer their phone and respond promptly to emails! The sale process was long-drawn-out and somewhat complicated and Simon was brilliant - patient, he gave confident timely advice when needed, and with Emma’s help, all the details were meticulously attended to. We also felt the fee was very reasonable. I would say, if you enjoy long ponderous solicitors letters and waiting a week for a reply, then don’t go to Osborne’s. But if you want an intelligent, nimble-footed, helpful and nice solicitor - then you won’t do better!"
"I was recommended Simon Nosworthy of Osbornes solicitors by my estate agent. At first I was reluctant as I had always previously used another solicitor for my conveyancing, but I did use Simon (assisted excellently by his paralegal Emma Healy) and I am very glad I did. The sale of my property was completed with the minimum fuss. You could count the telephone calls made on one hand and there was only one visit to the office. Simon is affable, professional and extremely efficient, hence the five stars. Thank you Simon and Emma."
"Great personal service from Simon and Emma. Always approachable and constantly looking for the best possible solution. Would definitely use their services again and have no hesitation in recommending them to friends and family!"
"I would highly recommend Osbornes to anyone looking for a Solicitor to assist them to purchase a house. Simon is clearly committed to ensuring that his clients receive the best possible service. He was very ably assisted by Emma. Simon and Emma kept us informed along the way. As a first time buyer, I really appreciated all the advice Emma gave me on what to expect from the process and how it works. Thanks so much Emma and Simon!"
“Great service - we were kept informed of the progress of our sale without having to ask, Simon and Emma ensured the transaction ran to the agreed timetable and everyone we encountered in the firm were always helpful and friendly.”
“I highly recommend Simon Nosworthy… Our case was a bit more complicated than usual with a hard and fast deadline in the end. Simon has an eye for details and guided us through a frustrating conveyancing process. He got it over the line for us in the end which was a real joy to complete and move in”
“Shilpa is knowledgeable and helpful. She is not afraid to challenge the boundaries for her clients, with excellent results.”
“Shilpa combines the fierce representation of her clients’ best interests with the reasonable and constructive attitude that the Court always looks for in modern litigation. She has invaluable tactical awareness and skilfully handles complex and unusual cases and difficult opponents. As a barrister it is a pleasure to be instructed by her because you so often find that she has already taken the steps that you would have recommended had you been the client’s first point of contact. Her preparation of cases for trial is extremely thorough and helps ensure a positive result before you have set foot in Court.”
“Thank you so much for your help. You were efficient, clear and advised me well in addition to being very pleasant to work with.”
“I would like to sincerely thank you for all the hard work in assisting me to resolve my rather unusual and complicated case. Last 2 years were very stressful and intensive and often only your professional approach and personal realistic but positive attitude helped me not to give up. The uncertainty weight of more than 10 years is off my shoulders thanks to you and your colleagues. Thanks once again for your legal advice, time, and efforts”.
“Mostly I am grateful that Shilpa was understanding about the delays caused by my illnesses, and that she stuck with me and got a good deal for my tenancy. I did feel she fought to protect me and my rights. I appreciate that she kept me informed about progress, sending copies of emails with the other side and consulting me when necessary. I appreciated her eye for detail on legal matters and how she stood firm against a somewhat tricky opposing solicitor.”
“Shilpa was very thorough in the advice she provided and I was immediately put at ease with her involvement. She works hard to achieve the agreed objective and I very much appreciate her help in my matter.”
“Shilpa was very diligent in her attention to detail and her pursuit of all necessary documentation; she showed great determination in the face of many requests by the other party’s solicitor to let certain things slide. She was thorough and professional which gave us a great sense of security.”
"William Ford has an impressive track record handling a variety of possession, homelessness and unlawful eviction matters. He is also adept at community care cases where these issues intersect with housing law. Sources praise him for being 'completely on top of the law and a very good negotiator who gets the most for his clients.'"
“William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004.”
“William Ford is impressive and devoted to the sector.”
“Associate William Ford receives effusive praise for his dedication and commitment to social housing. Interviewees highlight his technical understanding and background in housing law, and describe him as highly impressive.”
“The ‘very thorough’ and ‘incredibly committed’ William Ford is a respected practitioner acting predominantly for tenants facing possession and eviction proceedings, homeless applicants or clients who are making disrepair claims. He understands the links between different parts of the law and housing – how your immigration status might link to housing, for example, or how care provisions might link to housing.”
“William Ford is a ‘tenacious litigator with a lovely manner that, combined with intelligence, knowledge and pragmatism, makes him a pleasure to work with."
“He is brilliant – he’s really intelligent and has great strategic capabilities.”
"From start to finish, Osbornes Law were exemplary. As first time buyers we entered the process knowing very little, and Maria Elliot of Osbornes Law was incredibly patient and helpful throughout the process. A challenging purchase that threw up many issues, Maria didn't miss anything, and her advise was first class. We would (and will) recommend Osbornes Law, and in particular Maria, to anyone."
"Osbornes Law, and Maria Elliot, in particular, were outstanding. Maria dealt with an increasingly complex and stressful situation with speed, efficiency and the utmost professionalism. It was my first time buying a property and I felt completely supported throughout the often overwhelming process. I can only speak of Maria's work in the highest possible terms."
"We received an excellent service from Maria Elliot who made sure that our sale and purchase went through smoothly and we were kept updated and informed every step of the way."
"Osbornes were instructed on a complex, time sensitive property matter for my elderly parents. Maria Elliot and Arjun Jethwa were responsive, knowledgeable and saw the matter through to completion in the required timeframe. Highly recommended."
"I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Osbornes Law to anyone requiring their services. Maria Elliot assisted with my initial flat purchase several years ago and then represented me again recently when I sold the flat. Maria was helpful throughout and despite a very frustrating and lengthy sale process, Maria fought my corner at every turn."
Shilpa really helped us take charge of the situation and helped resolve this property dispute. I would not hesitate to recommend her or the team to anyone in a similar situation.
On first meeting Shilpa I was sure that she understood immediately my requirements, and was sympathetic both to my financial restraints and my emotional state. She achieved everything I asked of her and proved to be invaluable, professional and efficient
At every step Shilpa alleviated any concerns and stresses we had. Always fast to respond, always professional and super knowledgeable.
Shilpa has helped us through some key property litigation matters (residential and commercial) since 2014 and has delivered on every occasion. One particular issue had kept us in a state of stress and tension for almost a decade and after getting in touch with Shilpa she was able to help us bring the matter to a peaceful and successful conclusion.
I received a call from Shilpa Mathuradas a couple of hours after filling the enquiry form for a callback. She actively listened to my party wall concerns responding with gentle professionalism, answering my concerns, letting me know what is and is not possible and when best to bring in a solicitor. All this within 10 minutes. Excellent.
I've recently used Osbornes for my home purchase and an equity transfer. Rachael was fantastic all the way through, keeping me informed and up to speed as to the purchase progress.
As everyone knows, buying a house can be an incredibly stressful experience. Emily and Isabelle at Osbornes took the pain away by leading the process, being incredibly proactive and informative. We didn't have to chase them and they managed to pull a rabbit out of a hat by helping us exchange a few days before Christmas. I'd highly recommend them for a house sale and purchase.
I used Simon Nosworthy's team's services when selling a flat in N10, and would do it again in a heartbeat. The follow-ups were always prompt, and my questions were always answered quickly and accurately.
We hope not to move again for a long time, but when we do we will choose Osbornes for the conveyancing. Thank you.
Buying and selling a house can often be a challenging process, but communication and service I received from Osbornes was second to none. I would recommend them without hesitation - 5 stars
It is the second time we have used Osbornes and in both occasions we have been delighted with the service. The team were highly professional, diligent and always replied to queries promptly. We have no hesitation in highly recommending Osbornes Law.
Professional and communicative throughout the process of becoming a Freehold Company and having a share of said freehold. Both Amber and Siroop spoke in plain English and were most efficient and pleasant to deal with.
Amber was fantastic from start to finish. Efficient, clear and professional. Will certainly be calling on her again.
I have used Osbornes a few times and I’m really happy with the service provided. They provide a very professional, polite and efficient service and I would highly recommend them.
Osbornes team was great with the sale of our property, everything went smoothly and very responsive
Guy and his team assisted me with a new lease venture and were an absolute pleasure to work with. A professional & knowledgeable team who offered fast and excellent advice. Highly recommend their services
Osbornes are really thorough, professional & friendly. They were aware of the need for haste in my sale & they did everything they could to achieve the results of completing before the end of the SDLT holiday.
"The team at Osbornes is inspired by its leader Will Ford, a truly first-rate, modern lawyer’s lawyer. The team have blossomed under his Will and are now packed with conscientious, dedicated and excellent lawyers who always give their clients 100%."
"Alex McMahon – thorough and committed. Very easy to work with."
"William Ford - A good technical lawyer with a strong commitment to his clients"
“Osbornes has an impressive social housing team and the quality of their work that I have seen is very high. Will Ford is a very well-regarded figure in the housing law world and leads a team of high quality and committed lawyers. The existence of family and property law teams at the firm, amongst others, means that they are able to offer a holistic and expert approach to their clients.”
William Ford is "highly committed to his clients and leaves no stone unturned in seeking to assist them with their problems"
William Ford "is an astute litigator, and his breadth of knowledge allows him to take a holistic approach to clients’ situations."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"He is one of the most passionate lawyers I've ever worked with. He's a rare commodity."
"William Ford frequently represents tenants in possession proceedings, homelessness appeals and disrepair claims... and is praised for his dynamic and hard-working approach."
"The absolutely brilliant William Ford."
Emily was so patient and clear throughout the whole process - we can't thank you enough.
Maria provided excellent advice and support throughout the process. We would highly recommend Osbornes and we will use you again. Thank you!
Maria Elliot is excellent to deal with and gives valuable advice.
Maria was fantastic! Thank you so much for all the work she did.
Everyone was lovely, Emily put herself out for me. Also reception ladies are very friendly.
Excellent in every aspect.
Maria Elliot is excellent to deal with and gives valuable advice.
Emily Lund was very patient with our ignorance about the conveyancing process. She was consistently professional, cheerful and prompt. Thank you!
Maria Elliot was fantastic - thank you so much for all the work you did!
Selling my property was very stressful and I am most grateful for the tireless enthusiasm. The service provided was consistently good. Your knowledge of the market was valuable and your patience admirable.
I am much indebted to Simon Nosworthy and his staff for the efficient completion of our sale.
William Ford receives effusive praise for his dedication and commitment to social housing. Interviewees highlight his technical understanding and background in housing law, and describe him as highly impressive."
'First-class lawyer' William Ford is 'completely dedicated to making a positive difference', and is acting in cases challenging the 'bedroom tax'.
If I had another reason to have to seek legal advice again, I wouldn’t hesitate to use Shilpa, and would recommend her to anybody who needed legal advice.
Shilpa was professional, realistic, and unflappable. Shilpa managed to persuade a reluctant witness to come forward to support my case. She obviously knows her subject very well.
I always had full confidence in Shilpa keeping my best interests at heart. I often didn’t understand the legal language, and she would follow this up with a phone call and patiently explain.
A massive thank you for all your efforts and more broadly, a fantastic service throughout the whole process - we moved in on Saturday and couldn't be more pleased with everything. I found all your advice to be priceless and a real breath of fresh air.
William acts on possession, disrepair and homelessness cases, and has particular expertise in the protection of tenancy deposits under the Housing Act 2004
William Ford is impressive and devoted to the sector.
Accreditations
Related InsightsVIEW ALL
11.5.2026Anti-Money Laundering Checks in Conveyancing: What You Need...
AML checks are a routine part of the conveyancing process. They are not a reflection on you or your finances....
Read more
18.11.2025Why Accurate Property Valuations Matter
Insights from a Chartered Surveyor Many clients underestimate the importance of an expert property valuation. Whether you’re extending a...
Read more- 23.10.2024
Buying and Selling Homes in Hampstead Garden Suburb
Buying a house in Hampstead Garden Suburb While character, green spaces and the best of domestic architecture are big draws...
Read more 
19.5.2023Declaration of Trust for Property
If you are buying a property jointly, you may want to consider making a declaration of trust to record your...
Read more- 13.2.2023
Transfer of Equity Stamp Duty
Do I pay Stamp Duty Land Tax when transferring Property into my partner’s name? When it comes to property...
Read more 
13.2.2023Shared Ownership Stamp Duty
Do you pay stamp duty on shared ownership? When you buy a new shared ownership property, you are given two...
Read more- 8.2.2023
Severance of a Joint Tenancy
Severing a Joint Tenancy Normally, when couples buy a property together they do so as joint tenants. This means they...
Read more - 8.2.2023
Tenants in Common vs Joint Tenants
Tenants in Common vs Joint Tenants: Which is best for buying a property together? When buying a property with someone...
Read more - 20.1.2023
Stamp duty tax to remain the same until 2025
Good news for buyers as the current SDLT rates will remain until 2025 Buyers looking to purchase this year will be...
Read more - 23.9.2022
First-time buyer stamp duty exemption
Stamp duty is the bane of every home buyer, with only first-time buyers being exempt from paying the tax if...
Read more 
30.8.2022What is a transfer of equity?
Transfer of equity in divorce Transfer of equity refers to the process of transferring part or all of a property...
Read more- 26.6.2021
The Risks Of Buying Properties Off Plan!
Buying Property Off Plan The Daily Mail reported that 300 families a week have to move into shoddy newly built homes....
Read more 
30.1.2021Making Alterations to a Leasehold Property
What is a Leasehold Property? There are two main types of property in England and Wales, freehold and leasehold property....
Read more- 5.1.2021
How to Sell Your House Quickly
10 tips for a fast house sale Thinking about marketing your property for sale? Simon Nosworthy, Conveyancing Solicitor at Osbornes, sets...
Read more - 22.5.2019
What Is Equity Release?
Equity release is a type of financial product available to homeowners which allows them to access some of the equity...
Read more - 25.3.2019
London property ‘hotspots’
Property professionals across the country have made their predictions as to what is in store for the property market over...
Read more
