Prices and Services

Conveyancing (Residential Property)

Our specialist residential property team advise on the sale and purchase of properties throughout England and Wales and can provide expert advice on all aspects of a  transaction.  We do not deal with high volume nor bulk conveyancing.  Instead, we provide a bespoke service to each client, who will benefit from dealing with the same solicitor throughout the transaction.

Our team can assist with:

  • Buying and selling properties (including new build properties).
  • Auction Sales and Purchases.
  • Shared Ownership and Help to Buy England / Wales Schemes.
  • Lease extensions and enfranchisement.
  • Equity Release and re-mortgages.
  • Transfers of Equity.
  • Trust Deeds.

Our team are also experienced in agricultural property matters and will be able to advise on grazing agreements and agricultural tenancies, should the need arise.

How much will it cost?

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and with the submission of the return and payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (LTT), if the property is in Wales.

Our fees and disbursements for a freehold purchase with the benefit of mortgage finance are:

  • Legal fee £1,500*.
  • Search fees £500 (estimated).
  • Electronic money transfer fees £25 each.

Our fees and disbursements for dealing with a leasehold purchase with the benefit of mortgage finance are:

  • Legal fee £1,850*.
  • Search fees £500 (estimated).
  • Electronic money transfer fees £25 each.

Land Registry Fees

We will need to pay the Land Registry a fee in order to register your ownership of the property following completion.  This fee will vary depending on the price you have agreed to pay for the property and will be confirmed when we send you our terms of engagement.

SDLT or LTT

The amount of SDLT or LTT payable depends on a number of factors including the purchase price of your property and also whether or not you own any other residential property anywhere in the world. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website here (for properties in England) or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website here.

Our fees for dealing with a freehold sale will be:

  • £1,250*.
  • Electronic money transfer fees £25 each.

Our fees for dealing with a leasehold sale will be:

  • £1,750*.
  • Electronic money transfer fees £25 each.

It is likely that we will need to obtain a “Leasehold Information Pack” and replies to enquiries from your Landlord or the Management Company that deals with the maintenance of the development.  The information pack will include details of the service charge, any planned maintenance, a summary of your ground rent payments and details of the insurance for the development.  The cost of obtaining this information varies from development to development and the fees will be fixed by the Landlord or Management Company.  It is usual for these fees to be paid by the Seller.

VAT

VAT will be charged on our fees and disbursements.

How long will it take?

We pride ourselves on being diligent, proactive and commercial and aim to ensure that your sale and/or purchase completes in accordance with your requirements. However, the length of time between your offer being accepted and the date that you move will depend on a number of factors which are outside of our control.  For example, the number of parties in the chain, whether you (and other parties in the chain) are in receipt of a mortgage offer, search results, a survey or any other specialist reports you (or anyone else in the chain) chooses to commission etc.  A straightforward sale or purchase can take between 6 and 12 weeks to complete.

What’s involved in a purchase?

Whilst each transaction will vary according to its precise circumstances, we have set out a number of key stages below:

  • We will take your instructions and give you initial advice regarding the transaction, which will be summarised in a letter setting out our terms of engagement.  This letter will include a breakdown of our anticipated fees and disbursements including SDLT/LTT.
  • We will receive a draft contract and title pack from the Seller’s conveyancer which we will review and report to you upon.
  • Once you have authorised us to do so and we are in receipt of cleared fund we will carry out searches.
  • When we receive the results of the searches we will make any necessary enquiries with seller’s solicitor and report to you on the search results.
  • If you are buying with mortgage finance we will review the conditions of the mortgage offer with you.
  • Arrange for you to sign the agreed form of contract.
  • Agree completion date.
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened.
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from your lender and from you.
  • Complete the purchase.
  • If the property is leasehold we will serve any necessary notices on your Landlord or possibly the Management Company responsible for the development.
  • Deal with payment of SDLT/LTT.
  • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry.

What’s involved in a sale?

Whilst each transaction will vary according to its precise circumstances, we have set out a number of key stages below:

  • We will take your instructions and give you initial advice regarding the transaction, which will be summarised in a letter setting out our terms of engagement.  This letter will include a breakdown of our anticipated fees and disbursements.
  • We will prepare a draft contract and title pack for the buyer’s conveyancer.  We will send you property information forms to you to complete (to the best of your knowledge) to help inform the buyer about the property and any contents included in the sale.
  • We will work with you to address any pre-contract enquiries we have received from the buyer’s conveyancer.
  • Arrange for you to sign the agreed form of contract.
  • Agree completion date.
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened.
  • Redeem any mortgage(s) or charge(s) registered against the property.
  • Deal with payment of estate agents’ fees.
  • Arrange for the balance of the proceeds of sale to be transferred to you.
  • Complete the sale and notify you so that the keys to the property can be released to the buyer (usually via estate agents).

* Our fee assumes that:

  • the transaction is not for a value of more than £500,000
  • the transaction is not the purchase of a new build property;
  • the transaction is a pure residential acquisition and is not a small holding or mixed use property;
  • the transaction is not the sale or purchase of an investment property;
  • the transaction is not the sale or purchase of a high value property;
  • if you require a mortgage, it will be with a major UK clearing bank or building society;
  • this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen issues 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 transaction 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 disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required; and
  • the transaction does not involve “Help to Buy Wales” or “Help to Buy England”.