Whether you are buying or selling your home, we have qualified and experienced lawyers at each of our offices who are there to help you. As an established firm of solicitors, we have built up good working relationships with the local estate agents. We work with them to ensure you receive an excellent service.

We can offer you clear communication from start to finish – in person, by phone, by letter and by email. We will give you a transparent quote with no hidden extras.

We can offer advice on:

• Conveyancing
• Leasehold property
• Remortgaging
• Equity Release
• First and Voluntary Registrations
• Adverse Possession Claims
• Joint ownership and transfer of ownership
• Landlord and tenant
• Pre-auction and auction advice

Residential Property Purchase

We can guide you through the purchase of your new home by:

• Obtaining title and contract papers from the seller.
• Obtaining Local, Drainage, Environmental and any specialist searches required to enable us to provide you with full picture of your new home.
• Checking the contract and title papers and raising any necessary enquiries with the seller.
• Receiving and checking any mortgage documentation.
• Reporting to you by appointment or a full written report on your new home and any mortgage.

• Arranging a completion date with you and exchanging contracts.
• Arranging for mortgage monies to be drawn down or arranging for the purchase monies to be received from you.
• Completing your purchase and completing all necessary registration work to register you as the new owner.

Mortgages
We have extensive experience of acting for individuals mortgaging their homes.
Please contact us to discuss your re-mortgage.

Residential Property Sale

We can guide you through the sale of your home by:

• Obtaining your title deeds
• Drafting the contract for sale and providing your buyer with the contract and title papers.
• Dealing with any enquiries raised by the buyer.
• Obtaining a redemption figure from your mortgage lender (if applicable).

• Arranging for the contract and transfer documents to be signed by you.
• Arranging a completion date with you and exchanging contracts.
• Completing your sale including paying off your mortgage and sending the net sale proceeds to you.

Residential Property Rental

We deal with all forms of short term occupation – assured shorthold tenancy agreements, long leases and licences.

We can assist landlords in agreeing the best form of lease.

We can advise tenants on their legal rights.

Residential Property Auctions

If you are interested in bidding on a property at auction we can report to you on the auction documentation and provide pre-purchase advice. If you are successful in your bid, we can deal with your purchase quickly.

If you are selling at auction we can prepare an auction pack and liaise with the auctioneers. After the auction we can complete the sale formalities.

Our Costs

In the majority of cases, we will quote a fixed fee for our costs in relation to your purchase or sale.

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.

Costs of buying a residential freehold or leasehold house

Our Fees

• • To £200,000 : £1000 plus VAT £200, total £1200
  • £200,001 –  £250,000 : £1050 plus VAT £210 total £1260
  • £250,001 – £300,000 : £1100 plus VAT £220 total £1320
  • £300,001 – £400,000 : £1320 plus VAT £270 total £1620
  • £400,001 – £500,000 : £1600 plus VAT £320 total £1920
  • £500,001 – £600,000 : £1850 plus VAT £370 total £2220
  • £600,001 – £700,000 : £2000 plus VAT £400 total £2400
  • £700,001 – £800,000 : £2300 plus VAT £460 total £2760
  • £800,001 – £900,000 : £2600 plus VAT £520 total £3120
  • £900,001 – £1,000,000 : £2900 plus VAT £580 total £3480
  • Over £1,000,000 : our fee will be based on 0.3% of the purchase price.

If the purchase price is more than £1,000,000, please contact a Partner, who will be able to discuss your purchase with you.

*VAT is charged at the prevailing rate of 20%

In addition to our costs, there will also be disbursements that are associated with the transaction.

Disbursements 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.

In most cases, the disbursements will be for:

• Search fees £500 (approx. – the exact cost varies depending on the location of the property)
• HM Land Registry fee £150 (or £330 if the property is not already registered with the Land Registry)
• Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
• Electronic identity, verification of funds and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

(Stamp Duty) or (Land Tax) (on purchase)

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website here.

e.g. the estimated Stamp Duty in England on a purchase price of £250,000 is £0.00.

If you are a First Time Buyer or your purchase is a second home, different rates of Stamp Duty apply

If you are a First Time Buyer who uses a Help to Buy ISA, or a Help to Buy Mortgage, additional fees will apply. If this is the case, we would inform you of this, and the estimated amount if any additional fee, at the onset and before we were formally instructed by you, so you could decide whether or not you wished to proceed. 

We do not pay referral fees.

Example

This example is for a property costing £250,000

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

• Legal fee £1050 plus VAT £210- total £1,260
• Search fees £500
• HM Land Registry fee £150 (or £330 if the property is not already registered with the Land Registry)
• Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
• Electronic identity, verification of funds and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

Estimated total: £1956.80

Stages of the process

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
• 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

How long will my house purchase take?

Whether buying a residential (freehold or leasehold) property or a leasehold flat, 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 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 4 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Costs of re-mortgaging
 
Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements
 
Legal fees £600 plus VAT £120 total £720
Search fees approximately £500
Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
Electronic identity and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £1.83) £21.60
Estimated total : £1146.80

Purchase of a leasehold flat   

Our Fees

• To £200,000 : £1250 plus VAT £250, total £1500
• £200,001 –  £250,000 : £1300 plus VAT £260 total £1560
• £250,001 – £300,000 : £1350 plus VAT £270 total £1620
• £300,001 – £400,000 : £1600 plus VAT £320 total £1920
• £400,001 – £500,000 : £1850 plus VAT £370 total £2220
• £500,001 – £600,000 : £2100 plus VAT £420 total £2520
• £600,001 – £700,000 : £2250 plus VAT £450 total £2700
• £700,001 – £800,000 : £2550 plus VAT £510 total £3060
• £800,001 – £900,000 : £2850 plus VAT £570 total £3420
• £900,001 – £1,000,000 : £3150 plus VAT £630 total £3780
• Over £1,000,000 : our fee will be based on 0.3% of the purchase price.

If the purchase price is more than £1,000,000, please contact a Partner, who will be able to discuss your purchase with you.

*VAT is charged at the prevailing rate of 20%

In addition to our costs, there will also be disbursements that are associated with the transaction.

Disbursements 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.
In most cases, the disbursements will be for:

• Search fees £500 (approx. – the exact cost varies depending on the location of the property)
• HM Land Registry fee £150 (or £330 if the property is not already registered with the Land Registry)
• Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
• Electronic identity, verification of funds and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

In the case of a leasehold flat, there are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.

Anticipated Disbursements 

• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 and £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 £100 and £200.
• Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often the fee is between £100 and £200.
• Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £100 and £200.

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.

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.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website.

e.g. the estimated Stamp Duty in England on a purchase price of £250,000 is £0.00.

If you are a First Time Buyer who uses a Help to Buy ISA, or a Help to Buy Mortgage, additional fees will apply. If this is the case, we would inform you of this, and the estimated amount if any additional fee, at the onset and before we were formally instructed by you, so you could decide whether or not you wished to proceed. 

We do not pay referral fees.

Example

This example is for a leasehold flat costing £250,000

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

• Legal fee £1,300 plus VAT £260 total £1,560
• Search fees £500 (approx.  The exact cost varied depending on the location of the property)
• HM Land Registry fee £150 (£330 if the property is not already registered with the Land Registry)
• Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
• Electronic identity, verification of funds and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

Estimated total: £2256.80 plus disbursements as set out in the lease. 

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold 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
• 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

Costs of selling a residential freehold or leasehold house

Our Fees

• To £200,000 : £900 plus VAT £180, total £1080
• £200,001 –  £250,000 : £950 plus VAT £190 total £1140
• £250,001 – £300,000 : £1000 plus VAT £200 total £1200
• £300,001 – £400,000 : £1100 plus VAT £220 total £1320
• £400,001 – £500,000 : £1150 plus VAT £230 total £1380
• £500,001 – £600,000 : £1450 plus VAT £290 total £1740
• £600,001 – £700,000 : £1700 plus VAT £340 total £2040
• £700,001 – £800,000 : £1950 plus VAT £390 total £2340
• £800,001 – £900,000 : £2300 plus VAT £460 total £2760
• £900,001 – £1,000,000 : £2450 plus VAT £490 total £2940
• Over £1,000,000 : our fee will be based on 0.3% of the sale price. 

If the sale price is more than £1,000,000, please contact a Partner, who will be able to discuss your sale with you.

In addition to our costs, there will also be disbursements that are associated with the transaction.

Disbursements 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.
In most cases, the disbursements will be for:

• Land Registry fees (copy title documents) £7.00 plus VAT £1.40 total £8.40
• Land Registry Administration Fee £1.50 plus VAT £0.30 per document
• Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
• Electronic identity and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

*VAT is charged at the prevailing rate of 20%

We do not pay referral fees.

Example

This example is for a property selling at £250,000

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

Legal fees  £900 plus VAT £180 total £1,080

Search fees £100
Land Registry fees (copy title documents) £7 plus VAT £1.40 total £8.40
Land Registry Administration Fee £1.50 plus VAT £0.30 per document
Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
Electronic identity and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

Estimated total : £1,123.40

Sale of a leasehold flat 

Our fees will be as set out above (please see “Costs of selling a residential or leasehold house”) plus an additional £250 plus VAT £50 – total £300 on the figure stated. 

In addition to our costs, there will also be disbursements that are associated with the transaction.

Disbursements 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.
In most cases, the disbursements will be for:

• Search Fees £100
• Land Registry fees (copy title documents) £7 plus VAT £1.40 total £8.40
• Land Registry Administration Fee £1.50 plus VAT £0.30 per document
• Electronic money transfer fee (including VAT of £4.20) £25.20
• Electronic identity and anti-money laundering check (including VAT of £3.60) £21.60

*VAT is charged at the prevailing rate of 20%

We do not pay referral fees

In all cases, 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. in the case of a leasehold flat, this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
3. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
4. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
5. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Our people

Our team has many years of experience in delivering high quality work in all matters relating to residential conveyancing. Our client surveys indicate that our clients would be happy to instruct us again and would recommend us to their friends and family.
We have three members of the team who may work on your matters at our Buxton office, two at our Chapel-en-le-Frith office and three at our Disley office. They are supervised by Kate Proven, Partner and Head of Property.

Chapel-en-le-Frith office

Amy Maddocks – Solicitor

Amy has a degree in Law from the Manchester Metropolitan University and completed her Legal Practice Course and Masters at The University of Law in Manchester. Amy qualified as a solicitor in 2022. Amy deals with a large volume of residential property work having gained over 10 years’ experience in this area of practice.

Buxton Office

Kerry Critchlow – Partner

Kerry qualified as a solicitor in 2021 after previously qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive. Kerry deals with a large volume of residential property work and already has a following of satisfied clients.

Zoe Sherratt – Solicitor

Zoe gained a degree in Law and Criminology from The University of Sheffield before joining the firm in 2018 as a paralegal in the Wills and Probate department. Zoe completed her training with the firm and, having qualified as a Solicitor in 2021, now acts on behalf of clients in relation to Residential Conveyancing matters and occasional Will drafting, Lasting Powers of Attorney and estate administration.

Lavinia Yates – Licensed Conveyancer

Lavinia qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives in 2000 after working in a solicitors’ practice in Nottingham for 13 years. She started in Wills and Probate before moving onto Conveyancing. Lavinia became a locum in 2005 establishing a small network of firms and worked for them over a period of 19 years. Lavinia became a Licensed Conveyancer in 2023 making her dual qualified. 

Disley Office

Jo Twemlow – Partner

Jo has a degree in English from the University of Leeds and completed the Law Common Professional Examination and Legal Practice Course at the College of Law at Chester. Jo qualified as a solicitor in January 2001. Jo was formerly a partner at Woods, solicitors, which merged with Cooper sons in 2020.

Kate Proven – Partner

Kate qualified as a solicitor in 2004. She read Law at the University of Keele and completed the Legal Practice Course in Manchester. Kate was a trainee solicitor with the firm and became a partner in 2016. Kate deals with a large variety of property related work, has a loyal client following and has built up an excellent working relationship with many local estate agents.

Joe O’Connor – Solicitor

Joe has a degree in history from Leeds Beckett University and completed a Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at Manchester Metropolitan University. Joe qualified as a solicitor in 2018.

Conveyancing Process

Unsure about the process of buying and selling a house?
Watch our helpful video which explains which parts you, the estate agent and the solicitors play in the sale.

Click HERE to watch.