Elaine Tottie
Licensed Conveyancer
Phone: 01423 564551
Email: et@powell-eddison.co.uk
Our Charges Explained
Our Pledge: We always discuss the basis of our charges with you at the beginning of the case and we will ensure that you are constantly updated on costs as the matter progresses.
It is sometimes necessary for us to do some initial work to assess how much work is required in any particular matter. Where possible we will give you an estimate of the likely overall costs involved.
We will also ensure that you are aware of the different types of funding available for paying for our services. Some of our clients prefer to be billed monthly as a matter progresses, others prefer to agree a fixed fee at the beginning. We are able to look at all options with you before we commence work on your file and will send you a letter of engagement before we commence work.
As a useful guide we have set out how our charges are worked out in every different area of law as required by our Regulator the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Cost of Freehold Residential Property
Moving to a new house can be a stressful process, we aim to make your home buying experience as stress free as possible. A member of our team will be allocated to your purchase from start to finish so that you will always know who to ask for in the event of any queries.
Based on the value of the property we can give you a fixed fee quotation. This means that you will have the peace of mind of knowing that our professional fees will not be higher than the quote given.
Our Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements based on a purchase price of £250,000 are:
Legal Fees
Legal fee from £1,000. (Plus VAT at 20%, £200)
Total £1,200
Disbursements (liable for VAT)
Telegraphic Transfer Fee £30 (£36 including VAT price per transfer)
Online Identification Check £5 (£6 including VAT per person)
Plus VAT at 20%
Total £42.00
Disbursements
Searches (an approximate if property based in Harrogate) £400
Land Registry Official final Search fee (£3.00 per title) £3
Land Registry Fee (if property is registered) £150
Bankruptcy Search Fee (£2.00 per person) £2
Total £555
Legal Fees Total from £1,200
Disbursements (liable for VAT) – total £42
Disbursements – total £555
TOTAL CHARGES from £1,797
Stamp Duty – the figure due depends on the client’s circumstances with this property and their current residency
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.
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 it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on several factors, including how quickly your mortgage offer is obtained, length of time to obtain search results, surveys, the number of other people in the ‘chain’ and the type of property you are buying. The average process takes between 8 – 10 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 3 and 4 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
#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.
Leasehold Residential Property Costs
Legal fees for the purchase of a leasehold property can be higher than a freehold purchase due to the need to deal with not only the seller of the property but also the management company. In addition to the work undertaken to purchase the property from the seller it will also be necessary to deal with management company enquiries, service of notices, obtaining a new share certificate, ensuring membership of the management company is transferred, apportionment of the service charge and ground rent. A Deed of Covenant may also be required.
To help you though this process a member of our team will be allocated to your purchase from start to finish so that you will always know who to ask for in the event of any questions.
Based on the value of the property we can give you a fixed fee quotation. This means that you will have the peace of mind of knowing that our professional fees will not be higher than the quote given.
Our Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements based on a purchase price of £250,000 are:
Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements
Legal fees
Legal Fees from £1,000
Leasehold Fee £350
Plus VAT at 20% from £270
Total £1,620
Disbursements (liable for VAT)
Telegraphic Transfer Fee (£36 including VAT price per transfer) £30
Online Identification Check (£6 including VAT per person) £5
Plus, VAT at 20% £7
Total £42
Disbursements
Searches (an approximate if property based in Harrogate)* 400.00*
Land Registry Official final Search fee (£3.00 per title) £3.00
Land Registry Fee (if property is registered)* £150.00*
Bankruptcy Search Fee (£2.00 per person) £2.00
Total £555.00
Legal Fees Total £1,620
Disburstments (liable for VAT) - Total £42
Disburstments - Total £555
TOTAL CHARGES from £2,217
Stamp Duty – the figure due depends on the client’s circumstances with this property and their current residency
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 is in Wales.
Disbursements
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 the process is smooth. There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The additional Disbursements which we anticipate could apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and is for guidance only. 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.
Additional Disbursements (which you may need to pay for depending on the particular circumstances)**
Notice of Transfer fee – This fee (if chargeable) is set out in the lease. Typically, these fees range between £50-£300.
Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Typically, these fees range between £50-£300.
Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Typically, these fees range between £150-£350.
Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, the fee can range between £50-£350.
**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.
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on several factors. The average process takes between 8-10 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 10-12 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 4 months. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
# 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.
Re-Mortgage of Freehold Residential Property
Typical costs of providing you with a re-mortgage are provided below. A member of our team will be allocated to your re-mortgage from start to finish so that you will always know who to ask for in the event of any queries.
Based on the value of the property we can give you a fixed fee quotation. This means that you will have the peace of mind of knowing that our professional fees will not be higher than the quote given.
For example, if you are re-mortgaging a property with a value £250,000 the fee will be from £550 plus VAT and Disbursements .
Our Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements based on a purchase price of £250,000 are:
Legal fee £550 (plus VAT)
Local Authority Search fees £100
HM Land Registry fee £135
Electronic money transfer fee £30 (plus VAT)
VAT payable from £116
Estimated total: from £906
Our fees cover all of the work# required to complete the re-mortgage of your property, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry.
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.
How long it will take to re-mortgage your property depends on a number of factors, including how quickly your mortgage offer is obtained, length of time to obtain search results, whether your mortgage is dependent on a survey, and the type of property you are re-mortgaging. The average process takes between 4 – 6 weeks.
# 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.
