Property Purchase Conveyancing Fees

At Gordon & Thompson Solicitors, we provide legal advice and representation in relation to residential and commercial property purchases throughout England and Wales.

We are committed to providing transparent pricing information in accordance with the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority Transparency Rules.

Our conveyancing services include:

• Residential property purchases;

• First-time buyer purchases;

• Buy-to-let transactions;

• Leasehold and freehold purchases;

• Shared ownership transactions;

• New build purchases;

• Right to Buy purchases;

• Commercial property acquisitions;

• Transfer of equity matters;

• Remortgages and refinancing transactions.

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Our Legal Fees

Estimated Fee Range

Our legal fees for property purchase transactions generally range between:

£399 – £10,000 plus VAT

More complex property transactions may range between:

£2,500 – £10,000 plus VAT

VAT is charged at the prevailing rate of 20%.

The fees above are estimates based on the anticipated time spent by appropriately qualified solicitors, conveyancers, legal executives, paralegals, or supervised legal staff working on your matter.

Depending on the complexity of the transaction, we may charge either:

• A fixed fee; or

• Fees based on the time spent on your matter.

Full details of our charges, hourly rates (where applicable), and the qualifications and experience of the individual handling your transaction will be confirmed in your client care letter before work begins.

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VAT

VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge on our legal fees and certain disbursements where applicable.

Unless otherwise stated, VAT will usually be added at the prevailing rate of 20%.

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Typical Disbursements

Disbursements are costs payable to third parties in relation to your property transaction. These are separate from our legal fees.

Below are examples of common disbursements and typical costs:

Disbursement	Typical Cost
HM Land Registry Search Fees	£3 – £7
Bankruptcy Search	£2 – £6 per person
Priority Search	£3 – £7
Local Authority Search	£150 – £450
Drainage & Water Search	£50 – £100
Environmental Search	£60 – £120
Chancel Repair Liability Search	£20 – £40
HM Land Registry Registration Fee	£20 – £1,105
Electronic ID / AML Verification	£10 – £49 plus VAT per person
Bank Telegraphic Transfer Fee	£30 – £49.50 plus VAT
Leasehold Management Pack	£150 – £600 plus VAT
Notice of Transfer Fee	£50 – £250
Notice of Charge Fee	£50 – £250
Deed of Covenant Fee	£100 – £400
Certificate of Compliance Fee	£50 – £350
Stamp Duty Land Tax	Variable depending on purchase price

The exact disbursements payable will depend on the nature, value, and location of the property and whether the property is leasehold or freehold.

Where applicable, we will advise you of anticipated disbursements at the earliest opportunity.

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What Is Included In Our Fees?

Our fees generally cover all work relating to the following stages of a standard property purchase transaction:

• Taking your instructions and providing initial advice;

• Carrying out identity and anti-money laundering checks;

• Reviewing the contract documentation;

• Conducting and reviewing property searches;

• Raising enquiries with the seller’s solicitors;

• Reviewing title documentation and advising on ownership issues;

• Reviewing mortgage documentation where applicable;

• Reporting to you on the legal aspects of the transaction;

• Advising on lease terms where the property is leasehold;

• Preparing for exchange of contracts;

• Exchanging contracts;

• Completing the purchase;

• Paying Stamp Duty Land Tax where required;

• Registering your ownership at HM Land Registry;

• Corresponding with lenders, agents, and third parties involved in the transaction.

The stages listed above are intended as a guide only. If certain stages are not required, the fee may be reduced accordingly.

We can also provide limited-scope assistance where you only require advice on part of the transaction.

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What Is Not Included?

Unless specifically agreed in writing, our fees do not include:

• Tax or financial advice;

• Surveyor or valuation fees;

• Structural or environmental reports;

• Advice on planning or development issues;

• Litigation or property disputes;

• Lease extension negotiations;

• Advice relating to trusts or corporate structures;

• Defective title indemnity insurance policies;

• Costs associated with delays caused by third parties.

If additional work becomes necessary during the transaction, we will discuss any revised costs with you before proceeding further.

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Factors That May Increase Costs

The following factors may increase legal fees:

• Leasehold properties;

• Shared ownership transactions;

• New build purchases;

• Unregistered land;

• Defective or complex title issues;

• Tight completion deadlines;

• Multiple buyers, sellers, or lenders;

• Help to Buy or specialist lending arrangements;

• Additional enquiries or negotiations;

• Transactions involving companies or trusts;

• Overseas buyers or sellers.

We will keep you informed throughout your transaction if circumstances arise that are likely to increase costs.

• Disbursement:

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Stage Of the Process

• The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances; however below we have outlined the traditional stages we carry out on a standard sale.
  Take your instructions and give you initial advice;
• Check finances are in place to fund any related purchase (if applicable);
• Respond to any pre contract enquiries;
• Obtain a copy of the Title and prepare a contract to send to purchasers Solicitors;
• Collate information on fixtures and fittings and send to purchasers Solicitors;
  
  Respond to any raised enquiries;
• Receive transfer and arrange signature with you;
• Arrange an exchange and completion date;
• Obtain redemption statement from any relevant Lender to settle any outstanding amount on the mortgage;
• Transfer any remaining money from sale to the seller.
• SDLT (Stamp Duty 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.

Time Duration

• 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 and the timeliness of each party’s responses and returning documents. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 12 to 18 weeks. In such a situation additional charge would apply.

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Timescales

The timescale for a property purchase transaction depends on a number of factors, including:

• The complexity of the transaction;

• Mortgage lender processing times;

• Search turnaround times;

• Whether the matter is part of a property chain;

• The speed of responses from third parties.

As a general guide:

Transaction Type	Estimated Timescale
Straightforward purchase	Approximately 8 – 12 weeks
Complex transaction	Approximately 12 – 24 weeks

Leasehold transactions and matters involving title defects or multiple parties may take longer.

We will provide a more accurate estimate of likely timescales once we have reviewed your particular transaction.

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Funding and Fee Arrangements

Depending on the nature of your transaction, we may offer:

• Fixed-fee conveyancing;

• Hourly rate billing;

• Staged payment arrangements;

• Bespoke fee arrangements for complex matters.

Funding arrangements will be discussed with you before work begins.

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Our Conveyancing Team

Our Residential and Commercial Conveyancing Department has extensive experience advising clients on residential and commercial property transactions throughout England and Wales.

Your matter may be handled by a solicitor, conveyancer, legal executive, or supervised legal professional under the supervision of Raphael Newton.

We will provide details of the individual responsible for your transaction, including their qualifications and experience, at the outset of your matter. Our conveyancing team members can be found below.

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