Conveyancing Fees

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the sale or purchase of your residential property, including dealing with the registration at the Land Registry and with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax.

Every property is different and so every transaction will also be different. Factors such as the value of the property, whether or not the sale or purchase is of a freehold or leasehold property and the mortgage lender you have decided to use will effect the transaction (as some lenders require more work to be carried out on their behalf than others).

If you have obtained various other quotes, you will note that some firms charge less than us, particularly the bulk conveyances who deal with a high volume of transactions.

The dedicated, personal and friendly service we are able to provide will, we believe, completely outweigh the minor saving you may obtain by going to one of these other firms.

You will always have direct access to a single point of contact who will assist you throughout your transaction, you will never just be a number.

Additional legal costs

Assumptions

The above fee is based on the following assumptions:

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 transactions
if the transaction relates to a leasehold property, there is an assignment of an existing lease and not a 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.

The (non-exhaustive) factors listed below will make the conveyancing process more costly than the above fees indicates due to the complexity and additional work they bring to your transaction, we will discuss the detail of your transaction with you to identify any relevant factors that may affect you:

New build houses or flats
Help to buy loans
Use of a help to buy ISA
An extension of a lease is required
If your mortgage lender instructs its own solicitors
Preparation and advice on Deeds of Trust
Transfers of part rather than the whole of a title
The transaction involves an auction
There is a retention required
Unregistered Land
You have a second mortgage/charge/charging order
Dealing with freehold management companies

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as search fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smooth process. Listed below are a list of some of the disbursements you would expect to be paid in a purchase of a property.

Please note that we generally combine the searches in order to obtain a reduced quote.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

This is paid on all purchases and the amount entirely depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website.

Stages of the purchase process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have listed various important stages and please do contact us at any point and we can advise further.

Taking your instructions and providing you with initial advice
Checking that the necessary finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed
Complete our Anti-Money Laundering checks
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 (if more than one buyer)
Obtain pre-completion searches
Agree completion date (this is the date you will own the property)
Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
Arrange for all monies needed to be received from your lender and you
Complete purchase
Deal with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax
Deal with registration of your purchase at the Land Registry

How long will my house purchase take?

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 8-12 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 agreed in principle, it could take 4 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property which requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 4 months.

Contact us

Please do not hesitate to contact us either by email enquiries@reeveslaw.uk or by phone 0207 749 0979 in order to discuss your proposed sale or purchase - we will then be able to provide a detailed fixed quote.