Residential Conveyancing Pricing Information

Residential conveyancing

We offer a bespoke conveyancing service which takes account of – amongst other things – our client’s individual circumstances and requirements, the value of the property involved, and the complexities of the transaction. Our fee for a typical house purchase or sale range from around £995.00 plus VAT for a straightforward purchase of a lower value property to upwards of £4,000.00 plus VAT for the purchase of an unregistered property with unusual legal complexities. As you will appreciate, the fee we charge varies from client to client and we are always happy to provide a detailed, bespoke quotation upon application.

The fee we charge cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new property and/or the sale of your existing property, 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, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.

Below we set out examples of the typical fees and disbursements arising in the purchase of a freehold residential property, the purchase of a leasehold residential property, the sale of a freehold residential property, the sale of a leasehold residential property, and remortgages. The examples given are illustrative only based on an average conveyancing transaction. They do not constitute an offer but only an invitation to treat.

Purchase of a freehold residential property

Fees and disbursements

Legal fee: £1,295.00 (this fee depends on the purchase price of the property, whether the property is registered or not at HM Land Registry, your finance arrangements, your requirements, and the complexities of the transaction. A bespoke quotation is available upon application)
Search fees: c.£500.00 (the exact figure depends on the location of the property)
HM Land Registry fee: £295.00 (this depends on the purchase price of the property and whether it is already registered at HM Land Registry)
Electronic money transfer fee: £30.00
VAT payable £265.00
Estimated total: £2,355.00

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

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 calculator on HMRC’s website (https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro) or if the property is located in Wales by using the calculator on the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website (https://www.gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator).

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 6 and 8 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 new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 to 10 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 4 months. 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:

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

Purchase of a leasehold residential property

Fees and disbursements

Legal fee: £1,395.00 (this fee depends on the purchase price of the property, whether the property is registered or not at HM Land Registry, your finance arrangements, your requirements, and the complexities of the transaction. A bespoke quotation is available upon application)
Search fees: c.£500.00 (the exact figure depends on the location of the property)
HM Land Registry fee: £295.00 (this depends on the purchase price of the property and whether it is already registered at HM Land Registry)
Electronic money transfer fee: £30.00
VAT payable £285.00
Estimated total: £2,505.00

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

Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100.00 and £200.00.
Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100.00 and £200.00.
Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £100.00 and £200.00.
Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £100.00 and £200.00.

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 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.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

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 6 and 8 weeks.

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

Fees and disbursements

Legal fee: £1,095.00 (this fee depends on the sale price of the property, whether the property is registered or not at HM Land Registry, your requirements, and the complexities of the transaction. A bespoke quotation is available upon application)
HM Land Registry copy document fee: £20.00
Electronic money transfer fee: £30.00
VAT payable £225.00
Estimated total: £1,370.00

How long will my house sale take?

How long it will take from your accepting the buyer’s offer until completion of the sale will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6 and 8 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are selling to a first time buyer, it could take 8 to 10 weeks. However, if you are selling a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 4 months. 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:

negotiating a sale contract;
negotiating a transfer deed;
assisting you with the preparation of replies to the buyer’s enquiries;
liaising with your mortgage lender to obtain title documentation and a redemption statement;
proceeding to exchange of contracts and then completion of the sale;
receiving completion funds from the buyer’s solicitors and accounting to you with the net sale proceeds;
redeeming your mortgage on completion of the sale;
discharging your estate agent’s invoice on completion of the sale; and
keeping you advised as to progress.

Sale of a leasehold residential property

Fees and disbursements

Legal fee: £1,295.00 (this fee depends on the sale price of the property, whether the property is registered or not at HM Land Registry, your requirements, and the complexities of the transaction. A bespoke quotation is available upon application)
HM Land Registry copy document fee: £20.00
Electronic money transfer fee: £30.00
VAT payable £265.00
Estimated total: £1,610.00

Anticipated Disbursements

Management Pack fee – This fee if chargeable is set by the freeholder/management company. Often the fee is between £100.00 and £500.00.

How long will my house sale take?

How long it will take from your accepting the buyer’s offer until completion of the sale will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6 and 8 weeks.

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:

negotiating a sale contract;
negotiating a transfer deed;
assisting you with the preparation of replies to the buyer’s enquiries;
liaising with your mortgage lender to obtain title documentation and a redemption statement;
proceeding to exchange of contracts and then completion of the sale;
receiving completion funds from the buyer’s solicitors and accounting to you with the net sale proceeds;
redeeming your mortgage on completion of the sale;
discharging your estate agent’s invoice on completion of the sale; and
keeping you advised as to progress.

Remortgage of residential property

Fees and disbursements

Legal fee: £895.00 (this fee depends on the remortgage value of the property, whether the property is registered or not at HM Land Registry, your requirements, and the complexities of the transaction. A bespoke quotation is available upon application)
HM Land Registry copy document fee: £20.00
HM Land Registry fee: £40.00 (this depends on the purchase price of the property and whether it is already registered at HM Land Registry)
Electronic money transfer fee: £30.00
VAT payable £185.00
Estimated total: £1,170.00

Our fees assume that:

yours 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 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 complication 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 disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Sam Buchanan will manage all conveyancing matters.