Buying or selling your home is quite possibly the largest financial transaction you will ever make. It’s not a process to leave to chance. You want to make sure that everything is in order, and that you’re making wise decisions. Conveyancing is time consuming, complex and can be risky if you don’t have experience.
Our conveyancing solicitors can help
We know how stressful it is and will use our many years of experience to make sure that everything flows smoothly. We’ll make sure that everything is above board and that you’re getting what you expect.
Our conveyancing Solicitor, is a Solicitor Partner of more than 20 years’ experience and he is supervised by another Partner with 14 years’ experience
Our conveyancing solicitors have seen a lot of property contracts and know where to look for the pitfalls. We’ll expedite things as much as we can and keep you up to date on progress.
We offer a fixed fee service, which will help you budget for your move.
What’s included in the conveyancing process
Our conveyancing solicitors will:
Make sure that the property title is sound and verify the ownership.
Check if the property is freehold or leasehold and advise accordingly.
Draw up a contract of sale and send it to the buyer’s solicitor.
Check for restrictive covenants or rights of way that could affect your plans for the property.
Check that buildings and alterations have the correct planning permission, licences and warranties.
Check that there are no debts owing against a property, and if there are that they are released before the property is transferred to you.
Carry out local authority searches to make sure if there are zoning restrictions or any debts due.
Check if there is a lease, and if so, check the lease conditions.
Arrange for additional property searches, depending on the circumstances. These might including checking previous land use, whether the land is prone to flooding, if there are planned railway or motorway developments, whether medieval laws still require you to contribute to the local church and so on.
Check mortgage documents.
Ensure the deposit has been paid.
Exchange contracts for you which makes the deal legally binding.
Lodge an interest in the property so that the property cannot be sold to another.
Calculate the final figure to pay.
Arrange for the title to be transferred to the new owner’s name.
Pay Stamp Duty Tax on your behalf.
Lodge the title deeds with the Land Registry.
Send a copy of the deeds to your mortgage lender.
Why choose us?
Our conveyancing solicitors offer low fixed fee rates.
If a dispute arises, as conveyancing solicitors we have the authority to deal with it in Court if need be.
Local experience – you can’t beat it.
What is the Estimated Fee
PRICE OF PROPERTY | OUR FEES |
£150,000 and below | £800.00 |
£151,000 – £200,000 | £850.00 |
£201,000 – £250,000 | £1000.00 |
£251,000 – £300,000 | £1150.00 |
£301,000 – £350,000 | £1200.00 |
£351,000 – £400,000 | £1450.00 |
£401,000 – £500,000 | £2000.00 |
£501,000 – £750,000 | £3000.00 |
£751,000 – £999,999.99 | £4500.00 |
£1 Million plus | £7000.00 |
If you are buying with the assistance of a mortgage, we charge an additional fee of £195 plus VAT, assuming the mortgage is being provided by a high street lender. This includes:
Checking finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you, including a report on mortgage
Additional fees may apply in instances that fall outside of the normal conveyancing transaction. Please see Potential Additional Fee section below.
Please note that for all new clients of the firm, we will conduct an electronic ID search for Anti Money Laundering compliance. The administrative fee for arranging these checks is £15 plus VAT.
If we are arranging the transfer of funds electronically, we will charge a fee for our time involved in arranging each transfer, for example sending completion money to your seller’s solicitors on completion, the cost of this and the amount we pay to the bank for the transfer is £25 plus VAT per transfer.
Information on Estimated Fees
The fee will reflect work involved in your transaction. Our fee assumes that:
This is a normal conveyancing 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.
This is the assignment of an existing lease and not the grant of a new lease in leasehold matters.
The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arises
All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
earner to deal with your transaction additional fees may apply to suit your needs and service requirements.
Disbursements and Recharges / Expenses
Likely disbursements and recharges/ expenses (these are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursement on your behalf to ensure a smoother process)
Searches approximately £250 to £350 (plus VAT)
Land Registry Priority Searches £4 (no VAT)
Bankruptcy Searches – £2 per person purchasing (no VAT))
HM Land Registry Fee- this will depend on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMLR’s website http://landregistry.data.gov.uk/fees-calculator.html
Stamp Duty Land Tax- this will depend upon the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the HMRC’s website https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro
Potential Additional Disbursements
In Leasehold matters we may also need to pay a fee to the Landlords Solicitors or Agents in respect of the Notice of Transfer/ Charge.
This cost varies from one property to the next, depending on the fees confirmed in the Lease/ agreed with the landlord. We will advise you of this cost; however, this usually ranges between £25-£75 per Notice plus VAT.
In leasehold matters, your Lease may require a Deed of Covenant, depending on the terms of the Lease.
The Landlord/ Management Company/ Agent may charge a fee for registering this document with them on completion of your purchase.
We will advise you of this cost, if appropriate, however the cost could range between £75 to £200 plus VAT
In leasehold matters, it may be required, as a term of your lease that you require a Certificate of Compliance from the Landlord/ Managing Agent / Company.
The fee will be confirmed to you once we have reviewed the Lease and made enquiries with the Landlord/ Management Company/ Agent; however, the cost could range from £75 to £200 plus VAT.
You should note that these disbursements can vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate indication of costs once we have had sight of the specific documents for your purchase.
Other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of your Lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the Seller’s solicitors.
Potential Additional Disbursements
In Leasehold matters we may also need to pay a fee to the Landlords Solicitors or Agents in respect of providing replies to Standard Leasehold Enquiries of the Landlord. This cost varies from one property to the next, depending on the fees confirmed in the Lease/ agreed with the landlord. We will advise you of this cost, however this usually ranges between £100 – £250 plus VAT.
You should note that these disbursements can vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate indication of costs once we have had sight of the specific documents for your purchase.
Other disbursements may apply depending on the terms of your Lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the Seller’s solicitors.
Potential Additional Fees
A & C Solicitors always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter, therefore if you would like an estimate for your particular matter/ case please contact us to discuss.
If your case involves unexpected complications, we will always inform you, including any additional fees that may apply, so that you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed. You should be aware that additional fees will apply in the following situations:
Administering Service Charge Retentions in leasehold matters
Administration Fees if you require your documents by post.
Approval of a tenancy Agreement
Administration fees for unpaid cheques
Administration costs for cheques stopped at client request
Bank transfer costs (per transfer)
Completion required within 7 days of exchange of contracts
Dealing with Lease Extension
Dealing with Management Agent/Company (freehold property)
Dealing with sitting tenants or occupiers
Dealing with share of freehold for a leasehold property
Dealing with third party lawyers, e.g. in a matrimonial dispute
Dealing with trust property
Dealing with solar panel leases and unusual leases
Dealing with private charge holders
Dealing with Ground Rent or Service Charge (if you are not up to date)
Drafting Certificate of Consent/ compliance
Drafting RX3/4 form to remove a restriction on the title
Drafting and dealing with Deed of Covenant
Drafting and dealing with Deed of Easement (to grant or reserve rights)
Drafting additional contract packages for sale contract race.
Drafting Statutory Declaration or Statement of Truth
File Retrieval after completion from storage
General Power of Attorney
Liaising with third party solicitor (including the conveyancers/ solicitors acting on your related purchase)
Matrimonial disputed sale
Mutual Deed of Covenant for flying freehold
Obtaining Indemnity Insurance (each)
Redeeming a lender’s charge (per redemption)
Removal of Registered Restriction from the Land Registry Records
Removal of the registered caution from the Land Registry records
Repaying a legal charge/ mortgage over another property
Returning original documents
Sale at an undervalue
Share Equity/ Help to Buy
Shared Ownership
Simultaneous exchange and completion requested
Staircasing
Unregistered land
Updating your name and address on the Land Registry records
Voluntary First Registration for a sale
This list is not exhaustive, and if there are additional fees that you may incur, we will inform you in advance. In addition to our legal fees for some items above you may incur an associated disbursement, such as additional Land Registry Fees, or Landlord Fees (if appropriate). We will inform you accordingly.
Potential incidental Fees
Potential incidental Fees
A & C Solicitors always provide clients with a fee estimate at the start of each new matter,
therefore, if you would like an estimate for your particular matter/ case please contact
us to discuss.
If your case involves unexpected complications, we will always inform you, including any additional
fees that may apply, so that you can make an informed decision as to how to proceed.
You should be aware that additional fees will apply in the following situations:
Acting for an additional lender
If your lender wishes for another legal representative to act for them
Administering Service Charge Retentions in leasehold matters
Administration Fees if you require your documents by post.
Approving a lease extension
Approval of a tenancy Agreement
Additional bank transfer costs (per transfer)
Administration fees for unpaid cheques
Administration costs for cheques stopped at client request
Completion required within 7 days of exchange of contracts
Dealing with share of freehold
Dealing with sitting tenants or occupiers
Dealing with third party lawyers, for example in a matrimonial dispute
Dealing with trust property
Deed of Covenant
Deed of Easement
Deed of Gift- per gift
Deed of Grant or variation
Deed of Guarantee
Drafting Statutory Declaration or Statement of Truth
General Power of Attorney
Investigating bankruptcy Entry
Land Registry Restriction
Leasehold Property supplement
Letter of Postponement or Deed of Postponement
Liaising with Trustee in Bankruptcy
Mutual Deed of Covenant for flying freehold
Obtaining Indemnity Insurance (each)
Purchase at an undervalue
Registration at Companies House
Redemption of Mortgage
SDLT supplemental fee
Shared Equity/ Help to Buy
Shared Ownership
Simultaneous exchange and completion
Staircasing
Unregistered land
Voluntary First Registration for a sale property
VAT may be chargeable in addition on all fees quoted. Please visit the government website for more information on VAT <https://www.gov.uk/vat-rates>
This list is not exhaustive, and if there are additional fees that you may incur, we will inform you in advance. In addition to our legal fees for some items above you may incur an associated disbursement, such as additional Land Registry Fees, or Landlord Fees (if appropriate). We will inform you accordingly.
Acting for you in respect of your freehold residential sale:
As part of this service, we will:
∙ Provide you with a dedicated and experienced team to work on your matter
∙ Take your initial instructions and give you initial advice
∙ Obtain title documents from the Land Registry and prepare contact pack once you have completed the initial property information forms for the particular freehold residential sale.
∙ Draft your contract for sale and issue to the buyer’s solicitors
∙ Take your instructions on any enquiries raised by your Buyer’s solicitors.
∙ Send you the final contract and arrange for you to sign in readiness for exchange
∙ Agree completion date (date from when you will no longer own the property and will have had to vacated the premises)
∙ Exchange Contracts and notify you that this has happened.
∙ Approve Transfer from the Buyer’s solicitors and send to you for signature and witnessing.
∙ Request your Estate Agents Commission Account for settlement on completion.
∙ Complete your transaction and send you the proceeds of sale once all fees and balances due have been paid.
∙ Send executed transfer to the Buyer’s solicitors.
∙ Please note this fee is based on all documents, communications being sent to you electronically.
In relation to leasehold property sale we will also:
∙ Obtain a copy of your Lease from the Land Registry for you.
∙ Contact the Landlord/ Managing Agent for replies to Standard Leasehold Enquiries and raise any specific enquiries raised by your Buyer’s solicitors to the Landlord or their agents.
∙ Advise you of any additional costs required pursuant to the Lease in respect of landlord/ managing agents/ Management Company involved, as appropriate.
∙ Advise on service charge and ground rent pursuant to the lease.
Average timescales
How long it will take from you accepting the buyer(s) offer to completing sale will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6 to 8 weeks to exchange, and a further one or two weeks before completion, dependent on all parties involved being agreeable to the completion date.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are selling to a buyer involved in a chain, or a first-time buyer it could take 10 to 12 weeks. However, if you have a leasehold property sale that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 to 4 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Leasehold matters often take longer due to the additional parties involved in the transaction, including landlords/ managing agents/ companies.