Transparency Pricing Information

(Residential conveyancing)

The legal costs relating to the sale or purchase of a property vary depending on the nature of the transaction, type of property being sold and the actual sale or purchase price.

Example Purchase transaction

Our fees start at £1100.00 plus VAT and cover the work required to complete the purchase of your new home as detailed under Stages of the Process below, 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. The actual fee payable on a specific transaction will depend on the purchase price of the property.

Disbursements (expenses paid on your behalf)

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

Search fees – these vary depending on the location of the property as the local search fee is set by the Council in whose area the property is located:-

• Local Search – usually between £167.00 and £220.00 including VAT but can be more for London properties

• Water & Drainage search – approximately £91.20 including VAT

• Environmental, Flood and Energy & infrastructure search – approximately £96 including VAT

• Mining Search - approximately £60.13including VAT

• Land Charges search £3.20 per person/name

• Land Registry Priority search £4.20 per title number

• HM Land Registry Registration fee - between £20.00 and £1105 (plus £6 processing fee)

This is based on the purchase price of your property and also depends on whether the property has a registered or unregistered title or is a Plot purchase. You can calculate the amount due by using the Land Registry’s website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees#scale-1-fees

Stamp Duty or Land Tax

This depends on the purchase price of your property and whether you qualify for any relief or are subject to a surcharge. You can ascertain the amount you will need to pay by referring to: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro

If the property is located in Wales you can use the Welsh Revenue’s website calculator: https://beta.gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator

If you are purchasing a leasehold property, there are certain disbursements which will be referred to in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply for a leasehold property 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.

• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is referred to in the lease. Often the fee is between £50.00 - £150.00.

• Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is often specified in the lease. If not, it is set by the Landlord/management company/managing agent and is usually between £50.00 and £150.00.

• Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is set by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £100.00 and £250.00.

• Certificate of Compliance fee - To be confirmed upon receipt of the leasehold management pack, and can range between £30.00 – £100.00.

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 this we receive this information.

Stages of the process

• 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

Our fee assumes that:

• this is a standard transaction relating to a registered title 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.

Examples of our additional fixed legal costs for dealing with unforeseen matters that might arise during a purchase transaction are as follows:

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 8-12 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are buying a leasehold property, this can take longer, between 10 and 16 weeks.

Please contact us for an estimate based on your specific transaction.

Who will carry out my work?

Your matter will be carried out by a member of the residential conveyancing team who will either be a qualified solicitor or fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. The supervising Partner and SRO will be Christopher Dodd.