We have a strong and committed team of conveyancers with a high level of expertise covering all aspects of residential property including leasehold properties and farmland.
We encourage you to contact us to discuss your specific requirements and we will provide you with a fee estimate - we believe that by discussing your individual sale or purchase needs we can provide a tailor-made competitive quote. Our charges are based on our current hourly rate of £250.00 per hour plus VAT and we do not include any hidden charges such as photocopying or postage. Nor do we charge any additional fee if you require a mortgage for a purchase , or one to redeem on a sale. We have a minimum fee of £1,250 plus VAT.
Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase or sale 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. On transactions at a figure of over £500,000 we agree a fee with the client on each occasion.
Our conveyancing team consists of Christopher Key, Sandra Collings, Verren Ostle and Jean Tatam. Our team have a wealth of local knowledge and experience and their qualifications are detailed on their individual pages.
Certain costs involved in buying or selling are inevitable.
If you’re buying a freehold residential property you should consider the following:
Solicitors Fee £250.00 per hour plus VAT with approx. 6 to 10 hours work on a simple purchase under 450k.
Local search fee £218.00 plus VAT (approx.)
Land Charges search fee £26.15 plus VAT (approx.)
Water search fee £54.06 plus VAT
Mining search fee £58.50 plus VAT
Land Registry - registration fee Variable
Land Registry - search fees £3.00 plus VAT
HMRC - Stamp Duty Variable – see below
Bank Transfer fees £34.00 plus VAT
The local search fee quoted above applies to properties in Cornwall and will vary elsewhere.
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..
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 6 to 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 – 10 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 3 months.
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
Provide a comprehensive report 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
SELLING
If you’re selling a freehold residential property you should consider the following:
Solicitors fee £250.00 per hour plus VAT with approx. 6 to 10 hours work on a simple Sale under 450K
Estate agent fee Variable
Title search fees £9.00 plus VAT (approx.)
Bank Transfer fees £34.00 plus VAT (inc. admin fee)
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the sale 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 title and draft Contract
Contact lender for redemption figure
Reply to the enquiries of the Buyer’s solicitor
Give you advice on all documents and information received
Send final contract to you for signature
Agree completion date (date from which you sell the property)
Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
Complete sale
Pay Estate Agents and redeem mortgage
We would recommend that you telephone the office and speak to Christopher Key who will be pleased to talk to you in further detail.
Our firm is a member of the Law Society Quality Conveyancing Scheme - a mark of excellence for lawyers and conveyancers involved in the home buying process.