Residential Purchase Freehold and Leasehold
The Service
Acting for you in respect of your purchase of a residential property:
As part of this service we will:
- Send you a terms letter and obtain your ID
- Take your initial instructions and give you initial advice.
- Request your source of funds/wealth
- Receive and advise on contract documents
- Carry out searches
- Make any necessary enquiries of seller’s solicitor
- Report to you on all documents and information received
- Send final contract and other documents to you for signature
- Advise you of the monies needed for completion
- Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Complete purchase
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
- Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
In relation of leasehold properties we will also:
- Review your lease and report to you on the terms of the Lease
- Advise you of any additional costs required pursuant to the Lease in respect of landlord/managing agents/management company involved, as appropriate
- Advise on service charge and ground rent pursuant to the lease
- Make enquiries with the Landlord’s or their agents via the Seller’s solicitors in respect of arrangements for management/maintenance of the building in which your leasehold property is located, including communal parts.
Average Timescales
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 10 -14 weeks to exchange, and a further 2 weeks before completion, dependent on all parties involved being agreeable to the completion date.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing an empty property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6-8 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months. In such a situation, additional charges would apply.
What is the Estimated Fee
Where VAT is chargeable on our fees and certain disbursements and/or other expenses it will be charged at the prevailing tax rate, currently 20%. We always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter, please call or email us for a bespoke estimate.
Our fees for dealing with a standard conveyancing property purchase range between:
Value | Legal Fee (exc VAT) | VAT | Total (inc VAT) |
Up to £500,000 | £1,850.00 | £370.00 | £2,220.00 |
£500,001.00 - £750,000.00 | £1,800.00 | £360.00 | £2,160.00 |
£750,001.00 - £1,000,000.00 | £2,400.00 | £480.00 | £2,880.00 |
Over £1,000,000.00 | Please email for quote – prices starting from £2,750.00 (exc VAT) | ||
For Leasehold properties we charge an additional £345.00 plus VAT. There is a base fee in addition of £1,500.00 plus VAT and we will give you a bespoke quote depending on the type of property. Where the Building Safety Act applies there is an additional fee of £1,000.00 plus VAT.
Additional fees may apply in instances that fall outside of the normal conveyancing transaction. Please see Potential Additional Fee section below.
If we are arranging the transfer of funds electronically, we will charge a fee for our time involved in arranging each transfer, for example sending completion money to your seller’s solicitor on completion, the cost of this is £50.00 plus VAT.
We charge an anti-money laundering administration fee of £13.20 plus VAT per person on all conveyancing transactions.
Information on Estimated Fees
Your fee will reflect work involved in your transaction. Our fee assumes that:
- This is a normal conveyancing transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise, including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion of the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction.
- Any mortgages to be secured is being provided by a high street lender.
- The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arises.
- 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.
There may be additional documents and, requirements of your specific purchase, based on the documentation required to transfer the title into your name, or to deal with specific parties involved in your transaction. We have set these out in the Potential Additional Fees section. We will of course notify you of any additional costs and disbursements before they are incurred.
Likely disbursements and recharges/expenses
These are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
- Searches approximately £238.20 (including VAT)
- Land Registry Priority Searches £7.00 (including VAT)
- Bankruptcy Searches £6.00 per person (including VAT)
- HM Land Registry Fee – this will be dependent on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMLR’s website Fees Calculator (landregistry.gov.uk)
- Stamp Duty Land Tax – this will depend upon the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website Stamp Duty Land Tax Calculator
- Lawyer Checker Fee £18.00 (plus VAT)
- BACS transfer admin fee £30.00 (plus VAT)
- Faster payment admin fee £25.00 (plus VAT)
- Bank Electronic same day payment Fee £50.00 (plus VAT)
Potential Additional Disbursements
- In Leasehold matters we may also need to pay a fee to the Landlord’s Solicitors or Agents in respect of the Notice of Transfer/Charge. This cost varies from one property to the next, depending on the fees confirmed in the Lease/agreed with the landlord. We will advise you of this cost, however this usually ranges between £50.00-£175.00 per Notice plus VAT.
- In Leasehold matters, your Lease may require a Deed of Covenant, depending on the terms of the Lease. The Landlord/Management Company/Agent may charge a fee for registering this document with them on completion of your purchase. We will advise you of this cost if appropriate, however the cost could range between £175.00 - £250.00 plus VAT.
- In Leasehold matters, it may be required, as a term of your lease that you require a Certificate of Compliance from the Landlord/ Managing Agent/Company. The fee will be confirmed to you once we have reviewed the Lease and made enquiries with the Landlord/ Management Company/Agent. However, the cost could be in the region of £250.00 plus VAT.
You should note that these disbursements can vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate indication of costs once we have had sight of the specific documents for your purchase.
Other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of your Lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review the lease from the Seller’s solicitors.
Potential Additional Fees
We always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter, please call or email us for a bespoke estimate.
If your case involves unexpected complications, we will always inform you, including any additional fees that may apply, so that you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed. Examples include, (but are not limited to),
- Lease Extension
- If your Lender wishes for another legal representative to act for them.
- General Power of Attorney
- Shared Ownership
This list is not exhaustive, and if there are additional fees that you may incur, we will inform you in advance. In addition to our legal fees for some items above you may incur an associated disbursement, such as additional Land Registry Fees, or Landlord Fees (if appropriate). We will inform you accordingly.
Residential Sale Freehold and Leasehold
The Service
Acting for you in respect of your sale of a residential property:
As part of this service we will:
- Send you a terms letter and request your ID
- Send you forms about your property to complete.
- Take your initial instructions and give you initial advice.
- Obtain title documents from the Land Registry and prepare a contract pack once you have completed the initial property information forms for the property you are selling.
- Draft your contract for sale and issue to the buyer’s solicitors.
- Take your instructions on any enquiries raised by your Buyer’s Solicitors.
- Send you the final contract and arrange for you to sign in readiness for exchange.
- Approve Transfer from the Buyers solicitors and send to you for signature and witnessing
- Agree completion date (date from when you will no longer own the property and will have had to vacate the premises).
- Exchange Contracts and notify you that this has happened.
- Request your Estate Agents Commission Account for settlement on completion.
- Complete your transaction and send you the proceeds of sale once all fees and balances have been paid.
- Send executed Transfer to the Buyer’s Solicitors.
In relation of leasehold properties we will also:
- Obtain a copy of the Lease from the Land Registry/you
- Contact the Landlord/Managing Agent for replies to Standard Leasehold Enquiries and raise any specific enquiries raised by your Buyer’s solicitors to the Landlord or their agents.
- Advise you of any additional costs required pursuant to the Lease in respect of landlord/managing agents/ management company involved, as appropriate.
- Advise on service charge and ground rent pursuant to the lease.
Average Timescales
How long it will take from your accepting the buyer(s) offer to completing the sale will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 10 -14 weeks to exchange, and a further 2 weeks before completion, dependent on all parties involved being agreeable to the completion date.
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 weeks. However, if you are selling a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months.
In such a situation, additional charges would apply.
Leasehold matters often take longer due to the additional parties involved in the transaction, including landlords/managing agents/companies, in particular obtaining management information packs. Occasionally you will need two packs, one covering the service/rent charge and the other the ground rent.
What is the Estimated Fee
Where VAT is chargeable on our fees and certain disbursements and/or other expenses it will be charged at the prevailing tax rate, currently 20%. We always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter, please call or email us for a bespoke estimate.
Our fees for dealing with a standard conveyancing property sale range between:
Value | Legal Fee (exc VAT) | VAT | Total (inc VAT) |
Up to £500,000 | £1,850.00 | £370.00 | £2,220.00 |
£500,001.00 - £750,000.00 | £1,800.00 | £360.00 | £2,160.00 |
£750,001.00 - £1,000,000.00 | £2,400.00 | £480.00 | £2,880.00 |
Over £1,000,000.00 | Please email for quote – prices starting from £2,750.00 (exc VAT) | ||
For Leasehold properties we charge an additional £345.00 plus VAT.
Information on Estimated Fees
Your fee will reflect work involved in your transaction.
There may be additional documents and, requirement of your specific sale, be it based on the documentation required to transfer the title into the buyer’s name, or to deal with specific parties involved in your transaction. We have set out the Potential Additional Fees. We will of course notify you of any additional costs and disbursements before they are incurred.
Please note that if for any reason we are unable to proceed or you choose to close you matter after you have instructed us, you will still be charged for any work (including additional work) that we have carried out.
Likely disbursements and recharges/expenses
These are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
- Land Registry Title Documents (Freehold) £7.00 each (including VAT)
- Land Registry Title Documents (Leasehold) £7.00 each (including VAT)
- In leasehold matters we may also need to pay a fee to the Landlords Solicitors or Agents in respect of providing replies to Standard Leasehold Enquiries of the Landlord. This cost varies from one property to the next, depending on the fees confirmed in the Lease/agreed with the Landlord. We will advise you of this cost, however this usually ranges between £250.00-£400.00 plus VAT.
- In leasehold matters, your Lease may require a Deed of Covenant, depending on the terms of the Lease. The Landlord/Management Company/Agent may charge a fee for registering this document with them on completion of your purchase. We will advise you of this cost, if appropriate, however the cost could range between £175.00 and £250.00 plus VAT.
- In leasehold matters, it may be required, as a term of your lease that you require a Certificate of Compliance from the Landlord/Managing Agent/Company. The fee will be confirmed to you once we have reviewed the Lease and made enquiries with the Landlord/Management Company/Agent, however, the cost could range from £250.00-£350.00 plus VAT.
You should note that these disbursements can vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate indication of costs once we have had sight of the specific documents for your purchase.
Other disbursements may apply depending on terms of your Lease. We will update you on specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the Seller’s solicitors.
Potential Additional Fees
We always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter, please call or email us for a bespoke estimate.
If your case involves unexpected complications, we will always inform you, including any additional fees that may apply, so that you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed.
You should be aware that additional fees will apply in the following situations:
- Dealing with a Lease Extension
- Approval of a tenancy Agreement
- Dealing with solar panel leases and unusual leases
- General Power of Attorney
- Shared Ownership
This list is not exhaustive, and if there are additional fees that you may incur, we will inform you in advance. In addition to our legal fees for some items above you may incur an associated disbursement, such as additional Land Registry Fees, or Landlord Fees (if appropriate). We will inform you accordingly.
Residential Remortgage Freehold and Leasehold
The Service
Acting for you in respect of your re-mortgage of a residential property with a high street lender:
As part of this service we will:
- Send you a terms letter and request your ID
- Take your initial instructions and give you initial advice.
- Obtain title documents from the Land Registry upon receiving money on account from you to cover the cost of the same.
- Carry out searches or obtain indemnity insurance for no searches (if this acceptable to your new lender)
- Obtain a redemption statement from your existing lender.
- Receive and check your new Mortgage Offer and instructions from your new Lender.
- Send you a new Mortgage Deed for you to sign in the presence of a witness and return to us.
- Make any necessary enquiries of you in relation to the property, including requesting any documents for any alterations to the property.
- Agree a completion date (to draw down the funds for your new mortgage and redeem your existing mortgage).
- Request funds from your new lender for the agreed completion date.
- Request an up-to-date redemption statement from your existing lender for the agreed completion date.
- Complete your re-mortgage by receiving funds from your new lender and repaying the existing lender.
- Send you the proceeds of the re-mortgage once all fees and balances due have been paid.
- Obtain discharge documents and send to the HM Land Registry following completion.
- Deal with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (if appropriate).
- Deal with the application for registration at Land Registry to remove the details of your old lender in place of the details of the new lender.
- Send you your updated registration documents once the registration formalities have been concluded.
- Please note this fee is based on all documents, communications being sent to you electronically.
In relation to leasehold properties we will also:
- Obtain a copy of your Lease from the Land Registry/you.
- Review your Lease and advise you of any additional costs required in respect of landlord/managing agents/management company involved as appropriate.
- Contact your landlord/managing agents/management company in relation to your property and raise specific enquiries.
- Advise on service charge and ground rent pursuant to the Lease, if it is a requirement of your landlord/freeholder/agents to discharge any arrears prior to completion.
- Advise you or any additional costs required pursuant to the Lease in respect of the Landlord/Managing Agents/Management Company involved, as appropriate.
Average Timescales
How long it will take from receiving your new mortgage offer to being able to complete on the re-mortgage will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-8 weeks depending on any conditions attached to your new mortgage offer.
It can take longer, if you have specific conditions in your existing mortgage offer, concerning early repayment charges, or where there are specific conditions on your new mortgage offer which, we are required to comply with.
If you are re-mortgaging a leasehold property that requires and extension of the Lease prior to completion, this can take significantly longer. In such a situation, additional charges would also apply.
What is the Estimated Fee
Where VAT is chargeable on our fees and certain disbursements and/or other expenses it will be charged at the prevailing tax rate, currently 20%. We always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter, and so please call or email us for a bespoke estimate.
Our fee for dealing with a normal residential property re-mortgage is £900.00 plus VAT.
For Leasehold properties we charge an additional £345.00 plus VAT.
Additional Fees may apply in instances that fall outside of the normal conveyancing transaction. Please see Potential Additional Fee section below.
If we are arranging the transfer of funds electronically, we will charge a fee for our time involved in arranging each transfer, for example sending completion money to you and your lender on completion, the cost of this is £50.00 plus VAT for each transfer.
Information on Estimated Fees
You fee will reflect work involved in your transaction. Our fee assumes that:
- This is a normal residential re-mortgage 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.
- The mortgage to be secured is being provided by a high street lender.
- The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arises.
- All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation.
- No indemnity policies are required, other than for Search Indemnity (if acceptable by your new lender). Additional disbursements may apply if additional indemnity policies are required.
- The owners (proprietors) of the property are not changed as part of the re-mortgage.
There may be additional documents and, requirements of your specific re-mortgage, based on the documentation required to transfer the title into your name, or to deal with specific parties involved in your transaction. We have set out in the Potential Additional Fees section situations that may arise which would attract additional fees. We will of course notify you of any additional costs and disbursements before they are incurred.
Please note that if for any reason we are unable to proceed or you choose to close your matter after you have instruction us, you will still be charged for any work (including additional work) that we have carried out.
Likely disbursements and recharges/expenses
these are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
- Land Registry Title Documents (Freehold) £7.00 each (including VAT) (Including Title and Plan)
- Land Registry Title Documents (Leasehold) £7.00 each (including VAT) (Including Title and Plan)
- Searches approximately £238.20 (including VAT) alternatively Search Indemnity (approximately £100.00 plus IPT) if acceptable to your new lender.
- Land Registry Priority Searches £7.00 (including VAT)
- Bankruptcy Search (£6.00 per person (including VAT)
- HM Land Registry Fee – This will depend on the value of your new mortgage. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMLR’s website Fees Calculation (landregistry.gov.uk)
Potential Additional Disbursements
- In leasehold matters we may need to pay a fee to the Landlords Solicitors or Agents in respect of providing replies to Standard Leasehold Enquiries of the Landlord. The cost varies from one property to the next, depending on the fees confirmed in the Lease/agreed with the landlord. We will advise you of this cost, however this usually ranges between £100.00 - £400.00 plus VAT
- In Leasehold matters we may also need to pay a fee to the Landlords Solicitors or Agents in respect of the Notice of Charge. This cost varies from one property to the next, depending on the fees confirmed in the Lease/agreed with the landlord. We will advise you of this cost, however this usually ranges between £50.00 - £200.00 per Notice plus VAT.
You should note that these disbursements can vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate indication of costs one we have had sight of the specific documents for your re-mortgage.
Other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of your Lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the Seller’s solicitors.
Potential Additional Fees
Preparation of a Trust Deed - minimum fee £450.00 + VAT
Redemption of second charge or other secured loan to commercial lender £150.00 + VAT
Redemption of second charge or other secured loan in favour of individual £300.00 + VAT
Removal of a Restriction on the Register of Title £75.00 + VAT
Arranging an indemnity policy £40.00 + VAT
Each subsequent policy £30.00 + VAT
Unregistered titles £300.00 +VAT
Bank Electronic Same Day Payment administration fees in addition to those shown in the estimate, if applicable:
Received £20.00 + VAT
Sent £50.00 + VAT
BACS Transfer administration fee £30.00 + VAT
Faster Payment Fee £25.00 + VAT
To check buildings insurance £40.00 + VAT
Additional charge for a transaction where The Building Safety Act
2022 applies (For example. Cladding is present at the property £1000.00 + VAT
Leasehold Title Charge £345.00 +VAT
Freehold Management Charge (Properties over 10 years) £250.00 + VAT
Freehold Management Charge (Properties under 10 years) £300.00 + VAT
Additional Borrowing / Second Charge minimum of £500.00 + VAT
New Builds £450.00 + VAT
Shared Ownership £350.00 + VAT
Help to Buy Redemption £300.00 + VAT
Dealing with an additional Lawyer minimum of £300.00 + VAT
Dealing with mortgagee’s Solicitor’s minimum of £500.00 + VAT
Expedition fee where completion within 2 weeks of receipt of contract papers £200.00 + VAT
Fee for Key Undertaking £100.00 + VAT
Help to Buy ISA Payments (each) £50.00 + VAT
Sale of a property subject to a solar panel lease £400.00 + VAT
Purchase of a property subject to a solar panel lease £400.00 + VAT
Gifted Deposits (standard fee includes up to two gifts)
Each Additional Gift to be charged at £100.00 + VAT
This list is not exhaustive, and if there are additional fees that you may incur, we will inform you in advance. In addition to our legal fees for some items above you may incur an associated disbursement, such as additional Land Registry Fees, or Landlord Fees (if appropriate). We will inform you accordingly.
Private Client Work
This includes Wills, Probate and Lasting Powers of Attorney and Trust work and anything ancillary. Generally we will agree a fixed price for a Will (see link 1). However in the case of a Will which is more complicated, work may be done on an hourly rate or a higher fixed fee agreed. With regard to Probate we may agree a fixed fee in the case of applications for a Grant only. Any further work would be at an hourly rate. Generally Probate work is done at an hourly rate.
With regard to the administration of Trusts this is charged at an hourly rate. For Lasting Powers of Attorney a fixed fee will be charged plus disbursements ( see link 1).
A fixed fee for obtaining a Grant only of the Probate is available. This would usually be £750 plus VAT where a short Inheritance Tax form can be used and between £1,000 and £1,500 plus VAT where a long Inheritance Tax form is necessary. There are also disbursements payable. It is very difficult to give a typical price for winding up and Estate as this depends on such things as the number and type of assets, the number and type of beneficiaries (e.g. charities) whether there is property to sell and especially how often the executors/beneficiaries contact us. A starting point on a relatively simple Estate could be £2,950 - £5,000 plus VAT.
Preparation of a Will – We would aim to prepare a draft Will within two weeks of instruction.
Administration of an estate - While we would aim to do this as quickly as we could, there is no obligation to complete an estate for a year in case of potential unforeseen claims on the estate. The timescale involved will depend very much on the number and types of assets of the estate (where there is a residence this can often delay an estate being wound up if the property is difficult to sell) and the number, type and whereabouts of the beneficiaries.
Lasting Powers – We aim to prepare a draft of these within three weeks of instruction.
Wills & Probate Department – Guide Prices Only
| Which Document | £ |
VAT | Total (inc VAT) |
| Wills | |||
| Standard basic Will* | 275.00 | 55.00 | 330.00 |
| Standard basic Will with Mirror Image (for couples)* | 400.00 | 80.00 | 480.00 |
| Codicil | 200.00 | 40.00 | 240.00 |
| Codicil with Mirror Image (for couples) | 275.00 | 55.00 | 330.00 |
| Will with Life Interest Trust | 400.00 | 80.00 | 480.00 |
| Will with Life Interest Trust with Mirror Image (for couples) | 520.00 | 104.00 | 624.00 |
| Will with Discretionary Trust or a Disability Trust | 475.00 | 95.00 | 570.00 |
| Will with Discretionary Trust or a Disability Trust with Mirror Image | 620.00 | 124.00 | 744.00 |
| Powers of Attorney | |||
| Ordinary Power of Attorney or Delegation of Trust | 200.00 | 40.00 | 240.00 |
| Enduring Power of Attorney Registration (from) | 350.00 | 70.00 | 420.00 |
| Lasting Power of Attorney Registration | 250.00 | 50.00 | 300.00 |
| Lasting Power of Attorney PFA or HW preparation & Registration | 395.00 | 79.00 | 474.00 |
| Lasting Powers of Attorney (PFA & HW) preparation & Registration | 595.00 | 119.00 | 714.00 |
| Mirrored Lasting Powers of Attorney (PFA or HW) & Registration | 595.00 | 119.00 | 714.00 |
| Mirrored Lasting Powers of Attorney (PFA & HW) & Registration | 950.00 | 190.00 | 1,140.00 |
| Court fee for each Lasting or Enduring Power of Attorney (if payable) | 92.00 | N/A | |
| Packages | |||
| One Will & one LPA PFA or HW | 625.00 | 125.00 | 750.00 |
| One Will & both LPA PFA or HW | 820.00 | 164.00 | 984.00 |
| Mirror Wills & One Mirror LPA PFA or HW | 920.00 | 184.00 | 1,104.00 |
| Mirror Wills & Mirror LPA both PFA & HW | 1,120.00 | 224.00 | 1,344.00 |
| Other services | |||
| Notice of Severance of Joint Tenancy with a Will & registration at Land Registry | 100.00 | 20.00 | 120.00 |
| Declaration of Trust (Conveyancing) from: | 450.00 | 70.00 | 520.00 |
| Deputyship Application from: | 950.00 | 190.00 | 1,140.00 |
| Deputyship Application Court Fee (if payable) | 371.00 | N/A | |
| Deed of Variation from: | 750.00 | 150.00 | 900.00 |