Thank you for looking at our property services. Whether you are a first-time buyer or an investor, we are here to take the stress out of buying and selling residential property.
We will guide you through each step of your transaction and offer a service that that fits your exact requirements. Where necessary we can recommend other professionals such as Surveyors, IFA’s and property valuers.
At a time where money really matters, we always provide a quality service at a fair price. We will keep you up-to-date with all of the relevant information so you can make informed decisions and have complete confidence that every detail has been properly taken care of.
Why Us
We have an experienced team who understand the stress involved in buying, selling or re-mortgaging your property. Our approach is simple; we provide a first-class service from our expert team who make the difference by removing confusion and uncertainty, dealing with all of the legal details of a property transaction on your behalf.
Our team is made up of highly qualified Solicitors who have the legal and technical “know how” to resolve any issues as they arise in a professional and efficient manner. We understand that communication is key, so will make sure we are always available to answer your questions in plain English and ensure you are kept up-to-date with everything you need to know.
You will have the confidence that you are our priority, with our aim being that any member of the team is available to speak with you when you need some clarity and certainty at any stage in the process. We feel this provides reassurance and gives you an outlet for any concerns that you may have. Potentially this is the biggest investment of your life and we not only want to provide that first-class service, but value for money and no hidden fees.
We are proud to hold Lexcel and CQS Accreditations, issued by the Law Society. This involves the firm undergoing a rigorous audit process which ensures we maintain high levels of client care.
Pricing
The fees involved in any transaction are important and we review our fees on a regular basis, considering clients’ feedback so we can make sure we always offer the best value for your money.
We typically work on a fixed fee basis, ensuring that you know what the fees will be for your transaction from the outset. If, during the transaction, there is a new development, we will discuss the change in fees with you and agree a way forward.
Our fees are set out as:
Leasehold Residential Flat and Apartment Property Purchase
Our fees cover all the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales and are calculated on the purchase price as per the scale rate below:-
FOR NEW BUILD PROPERTIES DIFFERENT CHARGES APPLY - SEE SEPARATE SECTION
Conveyancing fees for leasehold flat and apartment purchase.
Purchase Price | Fees | VAT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Up to £150,000.00 | 1,500.00 | 300.00 | 1,800.00 |
£150,000.01 – £250,000.00 | 1,585.00 | 317.00 | 1,902.00 |
£250,000.01 - £500,000.00 | 1,730.00 | 346.00 | 2,076.00 |
£500,000.01 - £1,000,000.00 | 2,255.00 | 451.00 | 2,706.00 |
Disbursements
search fees – search fees vary from area to area. However as an example for a property in Tamworth fees would be: | 416.67 | 83.33 | 500.00 |
HM Land Registry fee | See below | ||
Electronic money transfer fee | 30.00 | 6.00 | 36.00 |
Bankruptcy search (per person) | 6.50 | 1.30 | 7.80 |
Land Registry Search fee (per title) | 7.33 | 1.47 | 8.80 |
Stamp Duty Land Tax | See below |
Stamp Duty Land Tax
This will depend 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 here.
HM Land Registry
This will depend on the purchase price of your property and whether the application can be submitted electronically or not. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees#scale-1-fees
Leasehold Disbursements
Disbursements are any 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 smoother process.
There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.
These fees may be subject to change if further information relating to your property becomes available, for example, if you require additional searches such as a Flood Search or HS2 Search.
Anticipated Leasehold Disbursements*
Item | Range from | Range to | Plus VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
Notice of Transfer fee, this fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is: | 50.00 | 250.00 | |
Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged), this fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is: | 50.00 | 250.00 | |
Deed of Covenant fee, this fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often the fee is: | 50.00 | 250.00 | |
Certificate of Compliance fee – to be confirm upon receipt of the lease, as the range can be | 50.00 | 250.00 | |
Issuing of Share/ Membership Certificate | 50.00 | 250.00 |
|
* These fees vary from property to property and can on occasions 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 charges 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.
Exclusions
We do not undertake tax advice.
Our fees are fixed, however there may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees estimated above. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.
Factors that may lead to an increase in cost include:
- If a legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered
- If you discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained
- If crucial documents, we have previously requested from you have not been provided to us
- If the property is a new build
- If the property is less than 10 years old
- If you require to exchange within 6 weeks of instructing us
- If you require completion within 6 weeks of instructing us
- If you require simultaneous exchange and completion
- If you are having a Help to Buy Mortgage or Help to Buy ISA
Time Scales
For any transaction, the timescales are subject to change depending on when your offer is accepted and other factors involved. The average process takes between 12-16 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Our fee assumes that:
- This is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise, including (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 is not the grant of a new lease
- The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication 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
Key Milestones
With every transaction there are key milestones, which may vary according to individual circumstances. They may be as follows:
- Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
- Checking finances are in place to fund purchase and contacting lender's solicitors if needed
- Receiving and advising on contract documents
- Carrying out searches
- Obtaining further planning documentation if required
- Making any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor
- Giving you advice on all documents and information received
- Going through the conditions of your mortgage offer
- Sending the final contract to you for signature
- Draft Transfer
- Advising you on joint ownership
- Obtaining pre-completion searches
- Agreeing a completion date (the date from which you 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
