Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

Our fees* cover all of the work required to complete the straightforward purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England. We do not act on the purchase of a property in Wales.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

These fees are a reasonable estimate of your likely expenses. Circumstances and property vary enormously and therefore additional charges may be appropriate.

Once you have a specific property in mind and can provide us with more detailed information we can give you a more accurate fees estimate.

A ROUGH GUIDE TO CONVEYANCING FEES
  • Re-mortgage starts at £650.00 – freehold property
  • Re-mortgage starts at £1,600.00 – leasehold property
  • Equity Release starts at £1,000.00 – freehold property
  • Equity Release starts at £1,600.00 – leasehold property
  • Purchase of a freehold residential property

    Up to £300,000.00 £1,200.00 + VAT
    £300,001.00 to £350,000.00 £1,350.00 + VAT
    £350,001.00 to £500,000.00 £1,500.00 + VAT
    £500,001.00 to £650,000.00 £1,650.00 + VAT
    £650,001.00 to £750,000.00 £1,750.00 + VAT
    £750,001.00 to £999,999.00 £1,850.00 + VAT
    £1,000,000.00 to £1,200,000.00 £2,000.00 + VAT
    Over £1,200,000.00 £2,000.00 plus 0.15% + VAT of the amount over £1,200,000.00
    New Build – Freehold Minimum additional £600.00 + VAT – see below

    If the purchase is of a new build freehold then there will be a minimum additional fee of £600.00 which will be reviewed when the contract papers are received. If the purchase includes a service charge for communal areas then there is a minimum additional charge of £300.00 subject to review.

    Our fees above do not include the cost of searches, Land Registry fees or Stamp Duty land tax.

    Search fee costs vary depending on the type required for the geographical area. Please telephone us for a full breakdown. For guide purposes only most search fees are within the region of £300.00 to £500.00 including VAT.

    Land Registry Fees

    A current table of Land Registry fees can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees

    Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

    This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the government website: www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax

    There is a fee we charge of £85.00 + VAT for preparing the Stamp Duty Land Tax Return.

    How long will my house purchase take?

    How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your new home will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-10 weeks for exchange once a contract is received and typically completion takes place 2 weeks after exchange of contracts.

    It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, with a mortgage in principle and a short chain.

    Stages of the process

    The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

    • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
    • Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed.
    • Receive and advise on contract documents.
    • Carry out searches.
    • Obtain further planning documentation if required.
    • Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor.
    • Give you advice on all documents and information received.
    • Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you.
    • Send final contract to you for signature.
    • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property).
    • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened.
    • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you.
    • Complete purchase.
    • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax.
    • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry.

  • Sale of a freehold residential property

    Cost

    Legal Fees – Up to £300,000.00 £1,200.00 + VAT
    £300,001.00 to £350,000.00 £1,350.00 + VAT
    £350,001.00 to £500,000.00 £1,500.00 + VAT
    £500,001.00 to £650,000.00 £1,750.00 + VAT
    £650,001.00 to £750,000.00 £1,850.00 + VAT
    £750,000.00 to £999,999.00 £2,000.00 + VAT
    £1,000,000.00 to £1,200,000.00 £2,000.00 + 0.15% + VAT of sum over £1,200,000.00

    Our fees above do not include the cost of Land Registry fees for up to date title entries and copy documents. These usually cost £6 plus £3 for each copy document.

    How long will my house sale take?

    How long it will take from you accepting the offer before you complete the sale of your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-10 weeks for exchange once a contract is issued and typically completion takes place 2 weeks after exchange of contracts.

    It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain.

    Stages of the process

    The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

    • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
    • Check the Legal title and obtain details of any Mortgages you may have.
    • Draft contract documents and issue to the Buyers Conveyancer.
    • Deal with any enquiries received.
    • Send final contract to you for signature.
    • Agree completion date (date from which you cease to own property).
    • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened.
    • Confirm amount to repay your lender.
    • Complete sale.
    • Deal with repayment of your mortgage if any.

  • Purchase of a leasehold residential property

    Cost

    Legal Fees – Up to £300,000.00 £1,800.00 + VAT
    £300,001.00 to £500,000.00 £1,900.00 + VAT
    £500,001.00 to £650,000.00 £2,100.00 + VAT
    £650,001.00 to £750,000.00 £2,250.00 + VAT
    £750,001.00 to £999,999.00 £2,350.00 + VAT
    £1,000,001.00 to £1,200,000.00 £2,600.00 + VAT
    Over £1,200,000.00 £2,600.00 + 0.15% + VAT of sum over £1,200,000.00

    If the purchase is of a new build then there will be a minimum additional fee of £600.00 which will be reviewed when the contract papers are received, but there are currently only certain leaseholds we will deal with.

    We are only estimating on existing blocks of 5 storeys or less with the freehold owned by the Management Company of which the flat owners are the shareholders.

    With a Leasehold property there are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.

    Anticipated additional Leasehold Disbursements

    Notice of Transfer fee £90.00 + VAT upwards
    Notice of Charge fee £90.00 + VAT upwards
    Deed of Covenant fee £150.00 + VAT upwards
    Certificate of Compliance fee £90.00 + VAT upwards
    • Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease.
    • Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease.
    • Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property.
    • Certificate of Compliance fee ¬ To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease

    These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

    You should also be aware that ground rent and service charges are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information.

    Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

    This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the government website: www.gov.uk/stamp-duty-land-tax

    There is a fee we charge of £85.00 + VAT for preparing and submitting the Stamp Duty Land Tax Return.

    Stages of the process

    The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:-

    • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
    • Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed.
    • Receive and advise on contract documents.
    • Carry out searches.
    • Obtain further planning documentation if required.
    • Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor.
    • Give you advice on all documents and information received.
    • Go through conditions of mortgage offer.
    • Send final contract to you for signature.
    • Draft Transfer.
    • Advise you on joint ownership.
    • Obtain pre-completion searches.
    • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property).
    • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened.
    • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you.
    • Complete purchase.
    • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax.
    • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry.

    How long will my leasehold purchase take?

    How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your home will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-10 weeks once a contract is received and typically completion takes place two weeks after exchange of contracts. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, with a mortgage in principle and a short chain.

    However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer. Circumstances vary but 4 to 9 months is not unusual. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

  • Sale of a leasehold residential property

    Cost

    Legal Fees – Up to £300,000.00 £1,800.00 + VAT
    £300,001.00 to £350,000.00 £1,900.00 + VAT
    £350,001.00 to £500,000.00 £2,100.00 + VAT
    £500,001.00 to £650,000.00 £2,250.00 + VAT
    £650,001.00 to £750,000.00 £2,350.00 + VAT
    £750,001.00 to £999,999.00 £2,450.00 + VAT
    £1,000,001.00 to £1,200,000.00 £2,600.00 + VAT
    Over £1,200,000.00 £2,600.00 + 0.15% + VAT of sum over £1,200,000.00

    With a Leasehold property there are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees when known.

    Anticipated additional Leasehold Disbursements

    Landlord and / or Managing Agents fees for Management information to be supplied to the Buyers Conveyancer. These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significant. We can give you an accurate figure once we have contacted the Landlord and / or Managing Agents.

    Stages of the process

    The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

    • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
    • Check the Legal Title and obtain details of any Mortgage you may have.
    • Draft contract documents and issue to the Buyers Conveyancer.
    • Deal with enquiries received.
    • Obtain planning documentation if required.
    • Send final contract to you for signature.
    • Draft Transfer.
    • Agree completion date (date from which you cease to own the property).
    • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened.
    • Confirm amount to repay your lender.
    • Complete sale.
    • Deal with repayment of your mortgage if any.

    How long will my leasehold sale take?

    How long it will take from you accepting the offer until you can move out will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-10 weeks from the issue of the contract papers and completion usually takes place two weeks later. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain.
    If a Lease extension is required this will result in significantly more work and will result in the transaction taking much longer. We will also need to discuss additional fees with you.

    Our fee* assumes that:

    • This is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction.
    • This is the purchase of an existing property and not the purchase of a new build property or a new build flat.
    • This is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
    • The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complications arise.
    • All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation.
    • No indemnity policies are required. Additional costs will apply if indemnity policies are required.
    • On a leasehold property there is a single freehold title out of which the lease of the flat has been created. If there are additional leasehold titles additional charges would apply.
    • Property ownership will be straightforward between the Buyers. If any advice on co ownership is required and the preparation of a Declaration Trust agreed additional charges would apply.
    • No Lease extension is required.
    • No Deed of Variation of Lease is required.
    • Our Fees for additional work are charged by an hourly rate according to the Fee Earner dealing with the work. The current hourly rates are:-
    • Partners, Consultants, Associates and Senior Solicitors £295.00
    • Fellows of Inst. of Legal Executive and Senior Executive £270.00
    • Family Executives and LPA Executives £235.00
    • Conveyancing Executives, Probate Executives, £235.00
    • Secretaries £200.00
    • Trainee Solicitors £200.00
    • Other Solicitors £270.00

    We strongly recommend that as soon as you have made the decision to sell and / or buy that you contact us so that we can give you a more accurate estimate of fees and discuss your plans with us.