What does the service cover?
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a freehold residential property vary according to the circumstances but the following gives an overview of the key stages:
- Pre-Exchange of Contracts – review and advice on legal title, search results, replies to legal enquiries and mortgage offer conditions, report to lender, procurement of signed documents and deposit money.
- Effecting the Exchange of Contracts – whereby you enter a legally binding contract to purchase the property.
- Pre-Completion – procure signed documents, pre-completion checks and searches, prepare financial statement and draw down of funds.
- Effecting Completion – transfer of money to the seller’s solicitors and release of keys.
- Post Completion – payment of Stamp Duty Lax Tax (England) or Land Transaction Tax (Wales) and the relevant tax return where applicable and submission of application for registration of your ownership at Land Registry
How much does the service cost?
We offer fixed fees for a standard freehold purchase transaction. The fee will depend on the purchase price of the property and other factors. The following is designed to be a general guide to costs but we can provide a personalised and accurate quote if you would like to call our office on 01462 427558 or email [email protected].
Legal fees and costs subject to VAT
| Cost | £ |
| Legal Fees | Starting from 1,100.00 plus VAT |
| Bank Transfer Fee | 35.00 plus VAT |
| Stamp Duty Form Completion and Submission Fee | 60.00 plus VAT |
| File Storage Fee | 25.00 plus VAT |
| Case Management Fee | 31.50 plus VAT |
| Anti-Money Laundering Search (per person) | 15.00 plus VAT |
Where your mortgage is administered by LMS (Legal Marketing Services) the case fee of £25.00 plus VAT charged by LMS will be collected from you.
The following additional costs may also apply-
| Cost | £ |
| Drawdown of a Help to Buy or Lifetime ISA Bonus | 50.00 plus VAT |
| Second mortgage | 75.00 plus VAT |
| Help to Buy Equity Loan | 300.00 plus VAT |
| New build | 200.00 plus VAT |
| Declaration of Trust | 100.00 plus VAT upwards |
| Management Company Involvement | 100.00 plus VAT |
Although we reserve the right to increase our fixed fee quote if the matter becomes more complex or protracted than expected, that would be very unusual.
Disbursements not subject to VAT (payable to third parties)
We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
| Cost | £ |
| Approximate cost for local, drainage and environmental searches | 350.00 to 400.00 |
| Bankruptcy Search (per person) | 2.00 |
| Land Registry Search | 3.00 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax (England) Land Transaction Tax (Wales) | This will vary depending on a number of factors. Please use the HMRC calculator on the link below: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/ This will vary depending on a number of factors. Please use the calculator on the Welsh Government link below: Calculate Land Transaction Tax | GOV.WALES |
| Land Registry Fee | This will vary depending on a number of factors. Please use the Land Registry website link below: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees |
How long will it 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 to 12 weeks but it can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a cash buyer, purchasing a freehold property and no onward chain, it could take as little as 4 to 6 weeks. However, if you are buying an unregistered property with several other connected freehold or leasehold transactions in the “chain”, the process can take significantly longer.