Buying and Selling a House

We understand that moving house can be a very stressful time and we will do our utmost to minimise the problems that occur an keep you better informed during the process of buying and selling your house.

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We are experienced in dealing with the following:-

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Sales and Purchases of

- Leasehold and Freehold Houses

- Flats

- Buy to Let Properties

- Right to Buy Properties

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Remortgages

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We are committed to providing you with a quality conveyancing service.

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Sale or Purchase – Fee Scale (House)

Sale or Purchase – Fee Scale (Flat)

Other Conveyancing Matters

Sales, Purchases and Remortgages – Additional Costs

* Our fee assumes 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 requires 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 complication arise

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

4. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

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Purchase of leasehold / freehold residential property

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Disbursements including Stamp Duty

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In addition to legal fees we will charge you for disbursements. These are costs paid to third parties that relate to your matter, for example Stamp Duty when buying a house. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

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For a typical standard freehold purchase with a mortgage, but no complications, the costs of disbursements range from:

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Property Searches £155 (to include local authority, coal mining and water & drainage searches) (No VAT)

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Land Registry Searches £3 (per title number) (No VAT)

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Bankruptcy Searches £2 (per person) (No VAT)

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Land Registry Registration Fee £20-£270 (depending on the purchase price) (No VAT)

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Telegraphic Transfer Fee £12 (No VAT)

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You can calculate the current Stamp Duty payable on a purchase using the following websites:

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https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro

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https://gov.wales/land-transaction-tax-calculator

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Disbursements are likely to be different on each transaction as they depend on the individual circumstances. 

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Typical purchase disbursements may include*

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• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £50 - £200.

• Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £50 - £200

• 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 £50 -£200

• Certificate of Compliance fee - To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £50 -£200

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*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.

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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.

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We will always give you an individual cost estimate tailored to the personal circumstances of you sale of purchase. 

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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 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.

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How long will my house purchase take?

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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 6-12 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 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 6 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

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Stages of the process

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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:

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• 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

• Send final contract to you for signature

• Draft Transfer

• Advise you on joint ownership

• Obtain pre-completion searches

• 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 leasehold / freehold residential property

Disbursements

For a typical standard freehold sale with a mortgage, but no complications, the average costs of disbursements are:

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Land Registry documents £6 (No VAT) (per title, though this depends on what documentation we would need to obtain)

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Telegraphic Transfer Fee £12 (No VAT)

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Typical sale disbursements may include

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• Management pack fee - if your property is a flat or a house subject to a service charge. Often the fee is between £100 - £300.

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How long will my house sale take?

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How long it will take from you accepting an offer until you can sell your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-12 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are selling your property to a  first time buyer, with a mortgage in principle, 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.

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Stages of the process

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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

• Prepare and submit contract documents

• Consider and respond to enquiries

• Send final contract to you for signature

• Draft Transfer

• Obtain a mortgage redemption figure if relevant

• Agree completion date (date from which you sell the property)

• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened

• Complete sale 

• Redeem mortgage(s) if relevant

• Obtain any agreed indemnity policies

• Pay any estate agents fees  and forward you the balance funds.

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