Guides
Buying and selling in prime London, explained
Plain-English guides to stamp duty, leasehold and freehold, buying a £2m+ home, international purchases and the London sale process, from offer to completion.
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Every guide we publish, across buying, selling, letting and tax. 30 guides.
A Guide to Stamp Duty on a London Home | Seymont London
When you are acquiring a residence in prime London—whether a stucco-fronted terrace in Kensington or a garden square house in Notting Hill—Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) represents a...
Leasehold vs Freehold: A Strategic Guide for Prime London Buyers
When you are acquiring a residence in Kensington or Notting Hill, the legal structure of your ownership is as critical as the architectural provenance. As the founder of Seymont London,...
Buying a £2m home in London: The Prime Property Guide | Seymont London
In the upper echelons of the London property market, a £2 million budget is more than just a figure; it is a gateway to the most prestigious postcodes in the world. However, navigating...
A Guide for International Buyers: Buying Property in London from Abroad | Seymont London
At Seymont London, we founded this agency on the principle that prime London property requires a bespoke, single-point-of-contact approach. Whether you are looking for a...
The London Property Sale Process: A Guide from Offer to Completion by Seymont London
When selling a high-value asset in prime London, the period between accepting an offer and handing over the keys is often the most critical phase. As the founder of Seymont London,...
Renters' Rights Act 2025: what changes on 1 May 2026 | Seymont London
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and its main provisions take effect on 1 May 2026. It is the largest reform of the private rented sector in England for a generation, and it rewrites...
How Much is Stamp Duty in London? | Seymont London
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is payable on most property purchases in London. As of the current tax year, you'll pay nothing on the first £250,000 for standard purchas…
Stamp Duty for First-Time Buyers | Seymont London
First-time buyers in London pay no stamp duty on properties up to £425,000, and 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000, provided the purchase price doesn't…
How to Buy a House in London: Step by Step | Seymont London
Buying a house in London follows a clear sequence: arrange a mortgage in principle, instruct a solicitor, find a property, make an offer, exchange contracts and comp…
How Much Can I Borrow? Mortgages | Seymont London
Most UK mortgage lenders will allow you to borrow between 4 and 4.5 times your gross annual income, though some may stretch to 5.5 times for high earners or specific…
Conveyancing Timeline London | Seymont London
In London, the conveyancing timeline typically runs 12 to 16 weeks from offer acceptance to completion, though complex chains, leasehold properties, and local author…
House Survey Types Guide | Seymont London
When buying property in London, understanding house survey types is essential before you exchange contracts. The three main options—RICS Condition Report, RICS Homeb…
Buying a Victorian House in London | Seymont London
Victorian houses form the backbone of London's residential property market, built between 1837 and 1901 across every borough. Before purchasing a victorian house, ch…
New Homes London: New Build Guide | Seymont London
Buying new homes London offers distinct advantages: modern specifications, energy efficiency, developer incentives and often fewer immediate maintenance concerns. Ho…
Buying at Property Auctions London | Seymont London
Property auctions London offer a fast, transparent route to buying homes, investment flats, and commercial premises across the capital. When the hammer falls, you ex…
How to Make an Offer on a House | Seymont London
Making an offer on a house in London requires strategic thinking and an understanding of local market conditions. Once you've found the right property, submit your o…
Service Charges Explained | Seymont London
Service charges and ground rent are ongoing costs payable by most leasehold flat owners in London. Service charges cover the maintenance and repair of communal areas…
Share of Freehold Explained | Seymont London
A share of freehold means you own your flat on a lease whilst also holding a proportionate stake in the freehold of the entire building, typically through a jointly-…
Cash Buyer London Property Guide | Seymont London
A cash buyer London property purchase removes financing contingency and typically accelerates completion from months to weeks. Chain-free buyers—whether using cash o…
How Much Is My House Worth? | Seymont London
The short answer: your London home is worth what a ready, willing and able buyer will pay today. To discover how much is my house worth with confidence, combine thre…
How to Sell Your House in London | Seymont London
Selling a house in London requires a clear understanding of valuation, marketing, viewings, offers and conveyancing. The process typically takes 12–16 weeks from ins…
Estate Agent Fees in London | Seymont London
Estate agent fees in London typically range from 0.75% to 3% plus VAT of your final sale price, with the majority of agents charging between 1% and 1.5% for sole age…
How to Choose an Estate Agent in London | Seymont London
Choosing an estate agent is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make when selling your London property. The right agent combines deep local knowledge, pro…
Sold House Prices: How to Check | Seymont London
Understanding sold house prices is essential before putting your London property on the market. You can check what homes really sold for by searching HM Land Registr…
Preparing Your London Home for Sale | Seymont London
Preparing a house for sale properly can add thousands to your final sale price and reduce time on market. We recommend a systematic approach: declutter and depersona…
Capital Gains Tax on Property | Seymont London
Capital gains tax on property applies when you sell a UK property that isn't your main home and make a profit above your annual allowance. For the 2024/25 tax year,…
Selling a Tenanted Property | Seymont London
Selling a tenanted property requires careful navigation of tenant rights, notice periods and market positioning. Landlords in London have three main routes: sell wit…
Selling a Probate Property | Seymont London
Selling a probate property requires legal authority from the estate's executors before marketing can begin. You cannot exchange contracts until Grant of Probate is i…
How to Become a Landlord in London | Seymont London
Becoming a landlord in London requires careful planning, legal compliance and financial preparation. At its core, the process involves ensuring your property meets s…
Landlord Legal Requirements: London Checklist | Seymont London
Before you advertise your property to rent in London, you must satisfy numerous landlord legal requirements spanning safety, immigration, taxation and tenant protect…