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.