Personal Advice > Property
PROPERTY CONVEYANCING
Whether you’re experienced with property transactions or new to the process, we are here to take the stress out of the process.
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DO YOU NEED ADVICE?
We’re an independent firm of specialised conveyancing solicitors. We are routinely recommended by developers and estate agents alike, so you can rest assured that you are in safe hands.
If you’re getting a mortgage we’ll work with your agent, mortgage broker and surveyor to get your purchase done and dusted as quickly and easily as possible.
RECOMMENDED BY DEVELOPERS & ESTATE AGENTS
If you’re selling a property we can help with that too – preparing the contract, dealing with the buyer’s solicitor, answering their questions and staying in touch with everyone involved to keep your sale moving along.
Remortgages
Whether you want to switch to the best mortgage rate, change your loan provider or simply raise capital, we can help you complete you remortgage quickly and efficiently.
We act for a wide range of banks and building societies and are on all of the major lender panels. If you wish to use a smaller lender, we are happy to work with them too.
Although the legal process for remortgaging is simpler than your original purchase, there are still a number of checks and requirements to overcome before you can draw down funds.
We have an experienced conveyancing team who are able to assist you with your remortgage. They can assist with both freehold and leasehold properties as well as buy-to-let properties.
We understand that you are likely to be remortgaging to meet a deadline, such as:
- the end of an existing interest rate,
- in time for the next mortgage payment,
- to release equity to pay for home improvements,
- family events or
- debt consolidation.
You can rest assured that we will work with you and your mortgage broker to provide a fast, efficient and smooth service. We are happy to discuss meeting a particular deadline or timescale at the outset of the remortgage to ensure we can draw down funds as soon as possible.
What is the process?
- You will complete and return to us our initial paperwork. This includes written instructions and proof of Identity.
- We will apply for your up-to-date title documents from the Land Registry. Any historic deeds or documents which might still be held by your existing lender will also be applied for. We will then carefully review the title document to ensure there are no issues.
- You will receive your written Mortgage Offer and we will receive the Solicitor’s copy
- We will then send you our written report. Along with the report we will include the Mortgage Deed for you to sign and return to us.
- We will meet all of the new lender’s requirements as set out in the Mortgage Offer. We can then agree a completion date and obtain a final redemption figure from your existing lender.
- We will request the drawdown of funds from your new lender by certifying that your property has a “good and marketable” title. With the funds we can then pay off your existing mortgage and account to you for any surplus funds. If we do not receive enough funds to cover your previous mortgage, we will request a shortfall from you.
- We will register your new mortgage at Land Registry and let you know when this has been done.
We can help you with any remortgage or refinancing, from a first time remortgage to buy-to-let property portfolios.
If you are thinking about remortgaging or would like to speak to a member of our property team, please get in touch.
YOU CAN REST ASSURED THAT YOU ARE IN SAFE HANDS
Leasehold Enfranchisement
Extending your lease is an important part of owning a leasehold property. It can, however, be confusing to navigate.
Whatever journey you are planning, we can help. Our professional team are here to make sure there is no additional or unnecessary stress for you and your family.
If your lease has 80 years or less remaining, this may affect your ability to sell. If not addressed, it can become a burden on your finances as the term of the lease gets shorter.
We act for both landlords and tenants advising on the various legal aspects of leasehold enfranchisement law including:
- Lease Extensions for both flats and houses.
- Collective enfranchisement (i.e. freehold of a block of flats).
- House enfranchisement (freehold of a house).
- Right to manage.
- Tenant’s right of first refusal.
- Freehold sales.
- Missing Landlords.
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USEFUL GUIDES
YOUR PROPERTY MATTERS EXPERTS
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PROPERTY CONVEYANCING SERVICES
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Property Purchase
Guidance - Our fees cover all of 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.
We are required to charge VAT. VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge, and will usually be added at 20% to our fees and disbursements, except where we indicate the disbursements are outside the scope of VAT. The fees listed are our average fee ranges for a purchase transaction. The fee (including additional fees and disbursements) may vary depending on the source of the instruction, your solicitor’s experience and location, the property price and what work we are required to do.
Legal Fee: £399 - £5,000 (+20% VAT of £79.80 - £1,000)
Other Additional Fees (If applicable to your transaction): 
- Leasehold: £100 - £300 (+20% VAT of £20 - £60)
- Help To Buy: £100 - £500 (+20% VAT of £20 - £100)
- Help To Buy ISA: £50 (+20% VAT of £10)
- Telegraphic Transfer: £45 (+20% VAT of £9)
- SDLT Admin: £50 - £125 (+20% VAT of £10 - £25)
- Acting For Lender: £100 - £500 (+20% VAT of £20 - £100)
- TR Guarantee (optional): £70 (+20% VAT of £14)
- Islamic Mortgage: £195- £395 (+20% VAT of £39 - £79)
- Administering Gifted Deposit - from a third party: £95 - £295 (+20% VAT of £19 - £59)
- Administration for Applying Unilateral Notice - with the Land Registry: £50 (+20% VAT of £10)
- Update to External Portals: £35 - £95 (+20% VAT of £7 - £19)
- Limited Company Purchase: £250 (+20% VAT of £50)
Referral fee (if any)
Amount of average referral fee paid £150.
Please note this is our average referral fee. This fee will vary depending on the source of the instruction.
Disbursements (third party costs)
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.
- Search Pack: £549 (+20% VAT of £109.80)
- Bankruptcy Search: £2 per person
- ID/AML Checks: £6 - £49 + VAT per person
- Land Registry Search: £6 (Help to Buy) £3 (Non-Help to Buy)
- Land Registry Fee: £40 - £910
Please note the fee range will vary depending on the work required. Factors which may increase the fees charged include:
- If the property is leasehold;
- If a lease extension of deed of variation is required;
- If there is Help to Buy involvement;
- If you wish for us to expedite your transaction;
- If we also need to act for your lender;
- If there is a referral fee;
- If the purchase is off-plan;
- If we cannot meet you in person and will need to complete an electronic ID check;
- If a unilateral notice is required to be registered with the Land Registry;
- If you are a non-UK resident.
Please contact us for a quote tailored to your particular transaction.
Stamp Duty /Land Tax (SDLT)
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.
How long will my house purchase 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 8-12 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 charges would apply.
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances; however below we have outlined the traditional stages we carry out on a standard purchase.
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice;
- Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed;
- Receive and advise on contract documents;
- Carry out searches;
- Obtain further planning documentation if required;
- Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor;
- Give you advice on all documents and information received;
- Go through conditions of mortgage offer with you;
- Send final contract to you for signature;
- Agree completion date (date from which you own the property);
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened;
- Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you;
- Complete purchase;
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax;
- Deal with application for registration at Land Registry.
*Our fee assumes that:
- this is a standard 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 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;
- you are referring to us directly and not through a panel or agent where referral fees may apply, these will be disclosed to you in our client care letter.
Property Sale
Guidance - Our fees cover all of the work* required to complete the sale of your home.
We are required to charge VAT. VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge, and will usually be added at 20% to our fees and disbursements, except where we indicate the disbursements are outside the scope of VAT. The fees listed are our average fee ranges for a sale transaction. The fee (including additional fees and disbursements) may vary depending on the source of the instruction, your solicitor’s experience and location, the property price and what work we are required to do.
Legal Fee: £399 - £5,000 (+20% VAT of £79.80 - £1,000)
Other Additional Fees (If applicable to your transaction):
- Leasehold: £200 - £300 (+20% VAT of £40 - £60)
- Telegraphic Transfer: £45 (+20% VAT of £9)
- TR Guarantee (optional): £70 (+20% VAT of £14)
- Islamic Mortgage (Redemption): £195 - £395 (+20% VAT of £39 - £79)
- Limited Company Sale: £250 (+20% VAT of £50)
Referral fee (if any)
Amount of average referral fee paid £150.
Please note this is our average referral fee. This fee will vary depending on the source of the instruction.
Disbursements (third party costs)
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as management packs (if applicable). We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
- Office Copies: £20 - £95
- ID/AML Checks: £6 - £49 + VAT per person
Please note the fee range will vary depending on the work required. Factors which may increase the fees charged include:
- If the property is leasehold;
- If there is a referral fee;
- If you wish for us to expedite your transaction;
- If we cannot meet you in person and will need to complete an electronic ID check;
- If you are a non-UK resident.
Please contact us for a quote tailored to your particular transaction.
How long will the sale of my house take?
The length of time between instructing us (once receiving an offer on your property) to moving out of your property will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 6-10 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 selling a property that is leasehold, we will need to apply for the management pack; this can take significantly longer depending on the timeframes of the individual management company. Another example would be if you are selling a property with structural issues such as subsidence, this can take significantly longer than 6-10 weeks and in such a situation, additional charges would apply.
Stages 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.
*Our fee assumes that:
- This is a standard 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;
- 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;
- You are referring to us directly and not through a panel or agent where referral fees may apply, these will be disclosed to you in our client care letter.
Property Remortgage
Guidance: Our fees cover all of the work* required to complete the remortgage of your home.
We are required to charge VAT. VAT is a government tax that we are required to charge, and will usually be added at 20% to our fees and disbursements, except where we indicate the disbursements are outside the scope of VAT. The fees listed are our average fee ranges for a remortgage transaction. The fee (including additional fees and disbursements) may vary depending on the source of the instruction, your solicitor’s experience and location, the property price and what work we are required to do.
Legal Fee: £350 - £1,500 (+20% VAT of £70 - £300)
Other Additional Fees (If applicable to your transaction)
- Leasehold: £100 - £300 (+20% VAT of £20 - £60)
- Telegraphic Transfer: £45 (+20% VAT of £9)
- TR Guarantee (optional): £70 (+20% VAT of £14)
- Islamic Mortgage: £195 - £395 (+20% VAT of £39 - £79)
- Second Equity Charge Redemption: £100 (+20% VAT of £20)
Referral fee (if any)
Amount of average referral fee paid £150.
Please note this is our average referral fee. This fee will vary depending on the source of the instruction.
Disbursements (third party costs)
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
- Office Copies: £20 - £95
- ID/AML Checks: £6 - £49 + VAT per person
- Search Indemnity: £50
- Search Pack (If required by your lender): £260 - £549 (+20% VAT of £52 - £109.80)
- Land Registration Search: £3
Please note the fee range will vary depending on the work required. Factors which may increase the fees charged include:
- If the property is leasehold;
- If there is a referral fee;
- If you wish for us to expedite your transaction;
- If we cannot meet you in person and will need to complete an electronic ID check;
- If you are a non-UK resident.
Please contact us for a quote tailored to your particular transaction.
How long will the remortgage of my house take?
The length of time between instructing us to successfully completing the remortgage process and your new lender details being submitted to the Land Registry, will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 4-6 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the nature of your individual circumstances, the timeliness of each party’s responses and returning of documents. For example, if you are remortgaging a property with a second equity redemption charge, this can increase the timeframes when corresponding with the relevant Help To Buy authority, who will have their own timeframes, to remove the charge.
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the remortgage of a residential property vary according to the circumstances; however below we have outlined the traditional stages we carry out on a standard remortgage.
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice;
- Obtain the Title Deeds from HM Land Registry;
- Receive your mortgage offer and report to you on this;
- Apply for searches or search indemnity (dependent on what your lender requires);
- Request an initial redemption statement from the lender;
- Send a draft completion statement for you to check;
- Report to lender and confirm you can comply with the mortgage conditions;
- Set a completion date;
- Reconfirm redemption figure;
- Transfer any remaining surplus to you;
- An application will be made to the Land Registry with the new lender’s interest.
*Our fee assumes that:
- This is a standard 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;
- 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;
- You are referring to us directly and not through a panel or agent where referral fees may apply, these will be disclosed to you in our client care letter.
