The following information applies to the purchase of freehold residential property on behalf of members of the public (that is to say, individuals).

Basis of our charges

The main factors which determine our charges are the following:

• The value of the property (because this affects the amount of risk we assume)
• The amount of work involved. This will be influenced by the presence of any complicating factors (see below)
• In some instances, the location.

Sale and purchase

Where we are instructed to act on a sale as well as a purchase, we will charge a separate fee for the sale on the basis that they are two separate (but usually co-ordinated) transactions. The fees for the sale element are set out elsewhere on this website and will depend on whether the second property is freehold or leasehold.

Fees for “standard” transactions

The fees we quote cover all of the work we do (but not the third party expenses we incur on your behalf) to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and arranging for payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (if the property is in England) or Land Transaction Tax (if the property is in Wales). In the event that a transaction is complex or becomes protracted we reserve the right to charge more. We will speak with you about this as and when such instance may occur during the transaction.

Please see the section below for likely third party expenses.

For a standard freehold purchase, our fee ranges are as set out below:

Value of property and range of typical fees:

Up to £250,000

£900 plus VAT and disbursements, or £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements depending on client’s location (difference due to potential enhanced KYC and AML checks).

£250,001 – £500,000

£1,200 plus VAT and disbursements, or £1,500 plus VAT and disbursements depending on client’s location (difference due to potential enhanced KYC and AML checks).

£500,001 – £1m

£1,300 plus VAT and disbursements, or £1,750 plus VAT and disbursements depending on client’s location (difference due to potential enhanced KYC and AML checks).

Bespoke quotes are given for properties valued at over £1m.

For a standard freehold purchase of property located in the London area, our fee ranges are as set out below:

Up to £1m
£1,900 plus VAT and disbursements.

£1,000,001 – £1,500,000
£2,200 – £2,550 plus VAT and disbursements.

£1,500,001 – £2,000,000
£2,550 – £3,500 plus VAT and disbursements.

£2,000,001 – £2,500,000
£4,750 and above plus VAT and disbursements.

£2,500,001 – £3,000,000
£6,500 and above plus VAT and disbursements.

£3,000,001 – £3,500,000
£7,900 and above plus VAT and disbursements.

£3,500,001 – £4,000,000
£8,800 and above plus VAT and disbursements.

The fee ranges quoted above assume that the transaction is a standard one in the sense that:

• The value of the property is no more than £1,000,000 (bespoke quote available on request)
• 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
• 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 in providing documentation
• no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required

Non-standard transactions

The fee table above does not apply to non-standard transactions, which are ones which feature one or more of the following complicating factors:

• we are required to liaise with separate solicitors for your mortgage lender
• the property is unregistered
• the property is a new build
• there is a requirement for Islamic finance
• a shared ownership scheme is involved
• there is a help to buy scheme element
• there is an ISA involved
• the purchase is taking place under the right to buy legislation
• the property has been repossessed
• the purchase is taking place at an auction
• where our client is based overseas or is a company, as this will usually involve enhanced due diligence

If the transaction is non-standard for any of these reasons, we would be very pleased to provide a bespoke quote on enquiry.

Third Party Expenses
Typically, we will incur the following expenses on your behalf. These are in addition to our own fees:

Search fees – £300 – £500 (the precise amount depends on the local authority);

HM Land Registry fees – the amount will depend on the purchase price. Details of these fees can be found here.

Stamp Duty Land Tax/Land Transaction Tax – This depends on the value of your property. You can calculate the amount by using HMRC’s website (or, in the case of Land Transaction Tax where the property is in Wales). Please note that this calculator is not applicable if you intend to purchase the property in the name of a company. You may also require further advice beyond this calculator depending on your particular circumstances, or you may require tax structuring advice. In that event, our conveyancing team would be supported by a specialist Tax Partner who will be happy to advise you further and who would provide you with a separate estimate of their costs for providing this specialist advice.

VAT at 20% is chargeable on our fees.

So that the process is as smooth as possible, we will normally pay these expenses on your behalf provided you pay us.

Typical Stages of the process

The precise stages involved will vary according to the circumstances. However, they will typically include the following:

• taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
• checking finances are in place to fund the purchase and contacting any lender’s solicitors if needed
• receiving and advising on contract documents
• carrying out various searches
• obtaining further planning documentation if required
• making any necessary enquiries of the other party’s solicitor
• advising you on all documents and information received
• going through conditions of any mortgage offer with you
• sending final contract to you for signature
• agreeing completion date (date from which you will own the property)
• exchanging contracts and notifying you that this has happened
• arranging for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
• completing purchase
• dealing with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• dealing with application for registration at Land Registry

How long will the transaction take?

The time between your offer being accepted to your being able to move into your new home will depend on a number of factors but the typical range is 8 to 12 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower than this, depending on the parties in the chain, whether you are obtaining mortgage finance, how long the searches take to be received from the Local Authority, whether there are any issues raised by your survey and how complicated the title to the property is.

The experience and qualifications of anyone carrying out the work

In the main, work is carried out by qualified solicitors or trainee solicitors (but certain work may be delegated to secretaries and paralegals).

Information of pricing for leasehold purchases is set out below. It is considered separate to freehold purchases because there are other elements involved and aspects to consider during the conveyance transaction.

Please refer to pricing information on freehold purchases above which still applies to leasehold purchases. The additional pricing information specific to leasehold purchases is set out below.

Additional Fees and Third Party Expenses

Typically, we will incur those expenses listed on freehold purchase section and the expenses below specific to leasehold purchases. These are in addition to our own fees:

Lease supplement fee – £250 plus VAT.

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

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 + VAT and £200 + VAT.

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 + VAT and £200 + VAT.

Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £50 + VAT and £100 + VAT.

Please note that these expenses 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 we receive this information.

So that the process is as smooth as possible we will normally pay these expenses on your behalf provided you pay us.

Information of pricing for leasehold sales is set out below. It is considered separate to freehold sales because there are other elements involved and aspects to consider during the conveyance transaction.

Please refer to pricing information on freehold sales above which still applies to leasehold sales. The additional pricing information specific to leasehold sales is set out below.

Additional Fees and Third Party Expenses

Typically, we will incur those expenses listed on freehold sale section and the expenses below specific to leasehold purchases. These are in addition to our own fees:

Lease supplement fee – up to £250 plus VAT.

HM Land Registry fees for copies of register, filed plan and any deeds: £3 per copy

Managing agent’s pack: typically £200 – £450;

VAT at 20% is chargeable on our fees.

So that the process is as smooth as possible we will normally pay these expenses on your behalf provided you pay us.

Typical Stages of the process

The precise stages involved will vary according to the circumstances. However, they will typically include the following:

• Preparing the sale contract and approving and/or negotiating the transfer of the property;
• Collating the supporting documentation;
• Obtaining a mortgage repayment statement if applicable;
• Obtaining management information from your managing agents or Landlord;
• Preparing replies to additional and/or further enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitors;
• Dealing with exchange of Contracts;
• Approving the draft Transfer Deed;
• Completion statement apportioning the service and ground rent;
• Attending to any applicable post completion matters, including arranging to redeem any current mortgages over the property on your behalf from the proceeds of sale, settling the estate agents’ fees on your behalf from the proceeds of sale and arranging to transfer the net proceeds of sale to you.

How long will the transaction take?

The time between your acceptance of an offer and receipt of the sale price will depend on a number of factors but the typical range is 8 to 12 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower than this, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are selling a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer. Similarly if a Licence for alterations, Deed of Variation or Licence to Assign are required we will charge separately for those matters and they can delay the transaction.