Our fees
Conveyancing Fees
Sale, Purchase or Remortgage of a freehold or leasehold residential property in England or Wales
What’s involved with a Sale of a Property?
Taking your instructions and providing advice throughout – receiving the Memorandum of Sale from the Estate Agent – Obtaining a copy of the title documents – confirming instructions to your buyer’s legal representative – contacting any lender to obtain details – preparing the draft contract pack – responding to any enquiries – dealing with the exchange and completion – redeem any mortgage – finalise the Estate Agent Account – sending the balance of proceeds to you.
What’s involved with a Purchase of a Property?
Taking your instructions and providing advice throughout – checking with you that you have funds in place to purchase the property – review contract documents – obtain relevant searches – obtain further documentation (such as planning) as required – raise any enquiries with the seller’s legal representatives – review any Management Pack and deal with any enquiries – draft transfer documents – obtain pre-completion searchers as required – corresponding with any lender and requesting funds – obtaining details of any additional monies due (i.e service charges or ground rent) – dealing with exchange and completion – deal with payment of any Stamp Duty with HMRC – dealing with the Land registry in respect of registration.
What is not included in the costs and may incur additional charge?
If the any part of the legal title is defective – if any part of the property is unregistered – any missing planning permissions or building regulations consent – missing documents – unforeseen complications – delay caused by a third party (including your seller/buyer) – indemnity policies are required – grant of a new or extension of a lease – any other documents that are required which are not generally required in a usual straightforward transaction.
Our fees are calculated using a scale and are based on the value of the transaction i.e. the sale or purchase price. Use our Instant Estimate button above to obtain an Estimation of Costs.
Stamp Duty or Land Tax
The amount payable by you to the Government depends on the purchase price of your property.
You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website.
Higher rates for additional properties
You’ll usually have to pay 3% on top of the normal SDLT rates if buying a new residential property means you’ll own more than one.
You may not have to pay the higher rates if you exchanged contracts before 26 November 2015.
If you’re replacing your main residence
You will not pay the extra 3% SDLT if the property you’re buying is replacing your main residence and that has already been sold.
If there’s a delay selling your main residence and it has not been sold on the day you complete your new purchase:
- You will have to pay higher rates because you own 2 properties
- you may be able to get a refund of the surcharge element if you sell your previous main home within 36 months
There are special rules if you own property with someone else or already own a property outside England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search and notice fees.
We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. If the property is leasehold there are certain disbursements which will be set out in the lease document 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.
HM Land Registry fee – this is based on the price paid for the property and can be accessed via the Land Registry website
Search fees – these include a Local Authority Search, Drainage Search and Environmental Search. You should budget £300 for these.
How long will my house purchase take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors.
The average process takes between 10 – 12 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain.
For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a completed new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 4 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer and in such a situation additional charges would apply.
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:
On a leasehold purchase, you should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property.
We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.