Lawrence Stephens

SRA Transparency Rules

Our Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Transparency Rules are divided into four sections: Conveyancing | Probate | Employment | Debt Recovery

Conveyancing

Purchase of a freehold residential property

Our fees cover all of the work* required to complete the purchase of your new home, including acting for your lender taking a first legal charge, 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.

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

Legal fee – for a typical freehold house purchase at a price of:

Property pricing

Fee

Up to £1m

£850.00 - £3,500.00

£1m – £3m

£3,000.00 - £6,500.00

*All prices above are exclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 20%)

Disbursements are payable in addition to the fees quoted above and we will ordinarily ask that funds are paid in advance in order to progress your transaction.

Estimated total: As above 

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.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)

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 here.

The SDLT payable on the purchase by an individual of a main residence for £750,000.00 (where a previous main residence has been sold) would be £ 27,500.00.

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 4-8 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 weeks.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

  • 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
Purchase of a leasehold residential property

Our fees cover all the work* required to complete the purchase of your new home, including acting for your lender taking a first legal charge 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 is in Wales.

Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements

Legal fee – for a typical leasehold house purchase at a price of:

Property pricing

Fee

Up to £1m

£850.00 - £3,500.00

£1m – £3m

£3,000.00 - £6,500.00

*All prices above are exclusive of VAT at the prevailing rate (currently 20%)

Disbursements are payable in addition to the fees quoted above and we will ordinarily ask that funds are paid in advance in order to progress your transaction.

Estimated total: As above

Disbursements are 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 above. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.

Anticipated Disbursements**

Notice of Transfer fee

This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £25 – £100 plus VAT.

Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged)

This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £25 and £100 plus VAT.

Deed of Covenant fee

This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £100 – £200 plus VAT but should be paid by the Seller.

**These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion 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 charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.

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.

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, the key stages are generally:

  • 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
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Draft Transfer
  • Advise you on joint ownership
  • Obtain pre-completion searches
  • 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
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 4-8 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. 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 you could take over your Seller’s application for a lease extension. If the Seller has not made an application for a lease extension you will need to own the property for 2 years before you can apply for a lease extension. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

* Our fee assumes that:

  1. 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
  2. This is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
  3. The transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  4. All parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  5. No indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required