Legal Fees
Our fees cover all the work required to complete a standard purchase, including dealing with third parties, dealing with standard mortgage lenders’ enquiries*, 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.
VAT, currently 20%, will be payable on all our fees and some disbursements, and we will clearly confirm which disbursements carry VAT in formal quotation or as we advise you to incur them.
Our highly regarded, specialist conveyancing ream are here to help, guide and support you through the conveyancing process to ensure the transaction is as stress free as possible. With three Directors and a large team of experienced Conveyancers across both offices, we can offer a dedicated service to you. Click on this link to see the team or request a quote.
We use an online quoting system to ensure consistent pricing with set fee scales. This system is also continually updated with the current Government Taxes and Land Registry costs. All our Conveyancing Team are trained to use this quoting software.
Below is an overview of our fees and typical disbursements.
Our average standard legal fee for a residential Freehold Property Purchase is from £1,150.00 – £5,000.00 plus VAT (£1,380.00 – £6,000.00 Inc. VAT), for properties up to the value of £5,000,000.00 plus disbursements, depending on the purchase price of the property as seen below:
| Purchase Price – Freehold | Our Fees | VAT | Total |
| £0 – £250,000 | £1,150 + VAT | £230.00 | £1,380.00 |
| £251,000 – £350,000 | £1,250 + VAT | £250.00 | £1,500.00 |
| £351,000 – £450,000 | £1,350 + VAT | £270.00 | £1,620.00 |
| £451,000 – £550,000 | £1,450 + VAT | £290.00 | £1,740.00 |
| £551,000 – £650,000 | £1,550 + VAT | £310.00 | £1,860.00 |
| £651,000 – £750,000 | £1,650 + VAT | £330.00 | £1,980.00 |
| £751,000 – £850,000 | £1,750 + VAT | £350.00 | £2,100.00 |
| £851,000 – £1,000,000 | £1,850 + VAT | £370.00 | £2,220.00 |
| £1,000,000 – £5,000,000 | £2,200 – £5,000 + VAT | £440.00 – £1,000.00 | £2,640.00 – £6,000.00 |
| £5,000,000 + | For properties over £5 million, we typically charge on a percentage basis which is 0.25% of the purchase price plus VAT, depending upon the complexity of the transaction. Our fees are dependent on the agreed purchase price of the property, the location and when other complex factors are involved (such as transactions that involve the sale of multiple dwellings or land) to reflect the proportionate risk of carrying out higher-value transactions for our clients and for more complex transactions, the seniority of the legal adviser appointed. | ||
Our average standard legal fee for a residential New Build Purchase Price – Freehold is from £1,400.00 – £5,500.00 plus VAT (£1,680.00 – £6,600.00 Inc. VAT), for properties up to the value of £5,000,000.00 plus disbursements, depending on the purchase price of the property as seen below:
| New Build Purchase Price – Freehold | Our Fees | VAT | Total |
| £0 – £250,000 | £1,400 + VAT | £280.00 | £1,680.00 |
| £251,000 – £350,000 | £1,500 + VAT | £300.00 | £1,800.00 |
| £351,000 – £450,000 | £1,600 + VAT | £320.00 | £1,920.00 |
| £451,000 – £550,000 | £1,700 + VAT | £340.00 | £2,040.00 |
| £551,000 – £650,000 | £1,800 + VAT | £360.00 | £2,160.00 |
| £651,000 – £750,000 | £1,900 + VAT | £380.00 | £2,280.00 |
| £751,000 – £850,000 | £2,000 + VAT | £400.00 | £2,400.00 |
| £851,000 – £1,000,000 | £2,100 + VAT | £420.00 | £2,520.00 |
| £1,000,000 – £5,000,000 | £2,450.00 – £5,500.00 | £490.00 – £1,100.00 | £2,940.00 – £6,600.00 |
| £5,000,000 + | For properties over £5 million, we typically charge on a percentage basis which is 0.25% of the purchase price plus VAT, depending upon the complexity of the transaction. Our fees are dependent on the agreed purchase price of the property, the location and when other complex factors are involved (such as transactions that involve the sale of multiple dwellings or land) to reflect the proportionate risk of carrying out higher-value transactions for our clients and for more complex transactions, the seniority of the legal adviser appointed. | ||
The value of the property, location and any complexities of the purchase will dictate the final fee charged within this range.
For Leasehold properties we charge a further £350+VAT (£420.00 Inc. VAT) The value of the property and any complexities of the purchase will dictate the final fee charged within this range.
For purchases using a corporate vehicle there is a supplemental fee of £15+ VAT (£18 Inc. VAT) due to companies house registration requirements and additional documents required for lending purposes.
Telegraphic Transfer Fee (incurred in most transactions) – We charge £32.00 + VAT (£38.40 inc. VAT) per transfer.
We are required by our regulator to undertake Client Due Diligence (CDD) which is made of up KYC (Know Your Client) and AML (Anti Money Laundering) details of which are contained within our terms of engagement which will be sent to you when instructing us.
In addition to our standard charges as referred to above, the firm will apply a CDD charge of:
- £10 (£12 inc. VAT) for undertaking KYC
Below, we detail what services are covered in our standard fee.
The final quote will depend on the value and location of the property and the complexity of the transaction. We would warn you that there are some charges made by others which we will not be able to ascertain until we are instructed and make the necessary enquiries.
If at any stage our fees change, we will notify you and discuss the reason for any changes. This would typically occur if you change your instructions or your case involves an unforeseen complexity.
Our average fees assume 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.
- For Leasehold matters 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.
If your property is in Wales you pay Land Transaction Tax instead of Stamp Duty Land Tax.
Disbursements and Other 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.
You will be provided with a full list of disbursements in our formal quotation. If you need to incur any further disbursements during your case, you will be notified in advance of the reason and the amount.
Typical disbursements and other costs that may apply in you matter will include: –
- Land Registry Search £3
- Bankruptcy search fees (per person) £2.00
- Lawyer checker £12 + VAT (£14.40 Inc. VAT)
- If a mortgage is required there may also be a Lenders Administration Portal Charge of £10.00 + VAT (£12.00 inc. VAT) (depending on the Lender).
- Freehold Purchase with a management company – £350 + VAT (£420.00 Inc. VAT)
- Statutory Declaration or Statement or Truth (methods of providing evidence in support of an application to HM Land Registry) – £150 + VAT minimum (£180.00 inc. VAT min)
- Help to Buy Loan (Purchase) – £350 + VAT (£420.00 Inc. VAT)
- Help to Buy redemption (standalone – not part of sale process) – £400 + VAT (£480.00 Inc. VAT)
- Help to Buy ISA – £50 + VAT per person (£60.00 inc. VAT)
- Transfer of Equity (in addition to a remortgage) – £300 + VAT (£360.00 inc. VAT)
- Transfer of Equity (Standalone) – £650 + VAT (£780.00 Inc. VAT)
- Leasehold Extensions – £2,000 + VAT (£2,400.00 inc. VAT)
- Equity Release (Leasehold) – £1,150 + VAT (£1,380.00 in c. VAT)
- Right to Buy – Purchase – £850 + VAT (£1,020.00 inc. VAT)
In addition to our fees set out above, the following disbursements will be required. These are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Searches and Land Registry fees.
HM Land Registry fee.
The fees chargeable by the land registry can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees
| Land Registry Scale | Registered | Unregistered Land |
| £0 – £80,000 | £20.00 | £40.00 |
| £80,001 – £100,000 | £40.00 | £80.00 |
| £100,001 – £200,000 | £95.00 | £190.00 |
| £200,001 – £500,000 | £135.00 | £270.00 |
| £500,001 – £1,000,000 | £270.00 | £540.00 |
Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)
SDLT (Stamp Duty) applies to most property purchase transactions. We will advise you of the stamp duty applicable to your matter and you can visit the HMRC website for more information on the HMRC’s website.
| Band | Single Property | Additional Property | 1st Time Buyer |
| £0 – £250,000 | 0% | 3% | £0-£625k |
| £250,000 – £925,000 | 5% | 8% | |
| £925,000 – £1,500,000 | 10% | 13% | |
| £1,500,000 + | 12% | 15% |
Typical Property Search Fees
Search fees vary from case to case depending on the local authority. We will advise you which searches you need for your transaction and the cost of each search. Our average fee for a standard property search pack is £300.00 inc. VAT.
- Local land charges search;
- Enquiries of the local authority;
- Environment search;
- Planning Search;
- Chancel repair liability indemnity; and
- Water and Drainage search
Other official local searches may be required by your lender and your conveyancer will use their local knowledge to confirm which local searches you will need. A standard authority search will reveal whether any legal restrictions or obligations affect the property. These include tree preservation orders, flood searches as well as the property’s planning and building enforcement history. Other various searches maybe required depending on your location and can reveal whether the property is in the vicinity of any planned major infrastructure projects. Relevant searches can also reveal if the property is built on or near land that was affected by mining and can include a search for mine shafts and subsidence.
We will advise you which searches you need for your transaction and the cost of each search.
Anticipated disbursements for a leasehold purchase
There may be further disbursements for a Leasehold purchase or the purchase of a freehold property where there is a Management Company which if chargeable is set out in the Lease or Transfer and usually paid to the Landlord or Management Company. We shall not know what charges will be raised, or the cost of these, until we receive the Lease and further Leasehold information from the Landlord or Management Company. However typical additional Leasehold disbursements are as follows:
- Notice of Transfer fee: This fee, if chargeable, is set out in the Lease. Usually the fee is between £30.00 – £120.00.
- Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged): This fee is set out in the Lease. Usually the fee is between £30.00 – £120.00.
- Deed of Covenant fee: This fee is charged by the Management Company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Usually it is between £50.00 – £150.00.
- Certificate of Compliance fee: To be confirmed upon receipt of the Lease and can range between £50.00 – £150.00
These fees are set by the management company / freeholder and can vary from property to property. They can, on occasion, be significantly more than the ranges given above and VAT may be charged. 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 we receive this information.
These fees shown above will vary from property to property and can on occasions be more than the ranges given above. We will give you an accurate figure once we have sight of the relevant documentation.
How long will my property purchase take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors.
- The average process for a residential freehold property purchase is between 4 – 8 weeks.
- The average process for a residential leasehold property purchase is between 6 –12 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 4 weeks.
However, if you are buying a Leasehold property that requires an extension of the Lease, this can take significantly longer, between 2 and 6 months. In such a situation, additional charges would apply for the work involved in extending the Lease.
Matters that can typically delay a transaction include delays in searches, issues with a mortgage offer, issues raised in a survey or delays from the other party or the other parties’ solicitors.
Stages of the Process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, the work that we will undertake for you will typically include:
- Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
- Checking finances are in place to fund the 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 conditions of mortgage offer with you
- Sending final contract to you for signature
- Agreeing completion date (date from which you own the property)
- Exchanging contracts and notify 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
The stages of a Leasehold purchase transaction are the same as that of a freehold purchase. The difference is mainly that there are more documents to check and read through when dealing with a Leasehold transaction. Further when dealing with the application for registration, following completion, there are usually other notices such as the notice of transfer etc. to also deal with.
Other Factors and Exclusions
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.
- Value of the property.
- Where the property is situated
- Overseas client
- Purchasing or selling in the name of an individual or a company
- First-time buyer.
- New build.
- Listed buildings
- First registration of title.
- In purchase cases, whether primary residence, buy to let or second/holiday home.
- Multiple owners.
- Shared ownership scheme.
- Using a help to buy scheme, and whether it is an equity loan or ISA.
- Purchase under right to buy.
- Purchase at auction.
- Property has been repossessed.
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.
Fee Earners
We have several experienced property lawyers who may work on your property transaction. Regardless of who works on your case, they will be supervised by Steven Clarke, Director at Rogers & Norton Solicitors and Head of Residential Conveyancing. For more information on our team members, please Click on this link
Questions
If you have any questions relating to our services and our fees, please contact us on:
- Norwich 01603 666001
- Attleborough 01953 453774
- Dereham 01362 562824