Residential Conveyancing Fees - Sales

Legal Fees are the amount you will be required to pay for all the work required to complete the sale of your residential property.

We typically work on a fixed fee basis, so that from the outset you know what the fees will be for your transaction. VAT, currently 20%, will be payable on all our fees and some disbursements, and we will clearly confirm which disbursements carry VAT in formal quotation or as we advise you to incur them.

Please note for properties over £1,000.000.00 we typically charge on a percentage basis which is 0.25% of the purchase price plus VAT at 20%, depending upon the complexity of the transaction.

Our fees are dependent on the agreed purchase price of the property, the location and when other complex factors are involved (such as transactions that involve the sale of multiple dwellings or land) to reflect the proportionate risk of carrying out higher-value transactions for our clients. Please contact us to discuss a bespoke estimate Tel: (01524) 386500.

Our Fees

Guidance on conveyancing fees for all other properties prices can be found below.

                                        Freehold                  

Up to £250,000                 £700.00 +VAT at 20% (£840)           

£250,001-£500,000        £800.00 +VAT at 20% (£960)           

£500,001-£1m                  £900.00 +VAT at 20% (£1080)           

                                         Leasehold                   

Up to £250,000                £800.00 +VAT at 20% (£960)          

£250,001-£500,000        £850.00 +VAT at 20% (£1020)          

£500,001-£1m                  £950.00 +VAT at 20% (£1140)        

                 London

Up to £250,000                £1000 +VAT at 20% (£1200)

£250,001-£500,000       £1120 +VAT at 20% (£1344)

£500,001-£1m                 £1195 +VAT at 20% (£1434)

Additional costs:

Shared ownership                           £350.00 plus VAT at 20% (£420)

Help to Buy Sale of mortgage        £300.00 plus VAT at 20% (£360)

Below, we detail what services are covered in our standard fee. 

The final quote will depend on the value and location of the property and the complexity of the transaction. We would warn you that there are some charges made by others which we will not be able to ascertain until we are instructed and make the necessary enquiries.  

If at any stage our fees change, we will notify you and discuss the reason for any changes. This would typically occur if you change your instructions or your case involves an unforeseen complexity. 

Our fees assume that:

1.  This is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which require remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction

2.  The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complications arise

3.   All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation

4.   No indemnity polices are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity polices are required.

Sale Disbursements and Other Costs

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

You will be provided with a full list of disbursements in our formal quotation. If you need to incur any further disbursements during your case, you will be notified in advance of the reason and the amount. 

Here is an overview of the typical disbursements on and other costs that may apply in your matter:

Office copies £15.80. No VAT applicable.

Charges in undertaking AML checks via Thirdfort - £15.00 inc VAT at 20%.

We will also pay your mortgage lender and your estate agents fees from the proceeds of sale.

Anticipated disbursements for a leasehold Sale 

There may be further disbursements for a Leasehold purchase or the purchase of a freehold property where there is a Management Company which if chargeable is set out in the Lease or Transfer and usually paid to the Landlord or Management Company.  

These can include:  

• Notice of Transfer fee - This fee, if chargeable, is set out in the lease and is often between £0 – £250 + VAT (£0 - £300 Inc. VAT) 

• Notice of Charge fee - If the property is to be mortgaged.  This fee is set out in the lease and is often between £0 – £250+ VAT (£0 - £300 Inc. VAT) 

• Deed of Covenant fee - This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate but is often between £0 and £250. + VAT (£0 - £300 Inc. VAT) 

• Certificate of Compliance fee - To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease as can range between £0 and £250. + VAT (£0 - £300 Inc. VAT) 

• Management pack - when selling a property there will be information which we will need to obtain from the Landlord and / or the Management Company.  Many Landlords / Management Companies have standard packs containing this information that usually range between £50.00 – £400.00 but we will confirm with you on application and review of your property sale.  

These fees shown above will vary from property to property and can on occasions be more than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure once we have sight of the relevant documentation.  

Stages of the sale process

The precise stages involved in the sale 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

• Obtain office copies and draft and issue Contract pack

• Obtain Management Company pack

• Obtain redemption figure from existing lender

• Reply to enquiries raised by Buyers’ Solicitors

• Have you sign the Contract and Transfer deed

• Agree completion

• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened

• Complete sale

• Redeem your mortgage

• Pay your estate agents

How long will my house sale take?

How long it will take will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes 10+ weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on a number of factors and we will notify you if we believe your transaction may take longer than average or if something occurs in your case to extend the transaction time.  

If you are selling a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take longer. In such a situation, additional charges would apply, and we will notify you of the additional charges and time estimate when we, or the buyers, solicitors have engaged the landlord to discuss the extension.   

Matters that can typically delay a transaction include delays in searches, issues with a mortgage offer, issues raised in a survey or delays from the other party or the other parties’ solicitors. 

Other Factors and Exclusions 

Our fees are fixed, however there may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees estimated above. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided. Factors to consider which may affect your Legal Fees: –

• Value of the property.  

• In Sale cases, whether primary residence, buy to let or second/holiday home.  

• Multiple owners.  

• Shared ownership scheme.   

• Using a help to buy scheme, and whether it is an equity loan or ISA.  

• Sale under right to buy.   

• Sale at auction.  

• Property has been repossessed.  

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.  

Who will deal with my matter? 

The members of our conveyancing department and links to their profiles can be found below. Pippa Weld-Blundell is the Supervisor for the conveyancing department.