RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCING

At Lonsdale & Mayall Solicitors, we recognise that every property transaction is distinct, and our fees are customised to meet the specific needs of your sale. Please note that we are not on any lender panels and are only able to handle cash purchases.

Standard Conveyancing Fees

Our fees for residential conveyancing start from £950 plus VAT.

For a property valued at under £250,000, the average fees for a straightforward transaction are as follows:

•    Freehold Sale: £950 plus VAT
•    Freehold Purchase: £1,000 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Sale: £1050 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Purchase: £1,100 plus VAT

For a property valued between £250,000 to £500,000, the average fees for a straightforward transaction are as follows:

•    Freehold Sale: £1,050 plus VAT
•    Freehold Purchase: £1,100 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Sale: £1,150 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Purchase: £1,200 plus VAT

For a property valued over £500,000 to £700,000, the average fees for a straightforward transaction are as follows:

•    Freehold Sale: £1,200 plus VAT
•    Freehold Purchase: £1,300 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Sale: £1,350 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Purchase: £1,400 plus VAT

For a property valued over £700,000 to £999,999, the average fees for a straightforward transaction are as follows:

•    Freehold Sale: £1700 plus VAT
•    Freehold Purchase: £1,800 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Sale: £1,900 plus VAT
•    Leasehold Purchase: £1,950 plus VAT

For a property valued over £1,000,000, the average fee for a straightforward transaction is £5,000 plus VAT.

Factors Influencing Complexity and Fees

Certain factors may affect the complexity or risk of your transaction and, consequently, the fees charged. These include, but are not limited to:

•    Leasehold properties or properties subject to estate management
•    New-build properties
•    Shared ownership (with or without staircasing)
•    Properties bought or sold at auction
•    Unregistered property titles
•    Onerous covenants affecting the property
•    Divorce or disputes between joint sellers requiring separate legal representation

While these factors may not always be apparent at the beginning of the transaction, we will provide the most accurate estimate possible based on the information available at the time of your inquiry. Should complications arise, we will notify you promptly and discuss the potential impact before incurring any additional costs.

Property Value and Fee Estimate
The value of the property being bought or sold can influence the fee estimate, as higher-value properties carry increased insurance risk.

Abortive Costs
In cases where a transaction does not proceed to completion, we will charge a proportion of our fee for the work carried out up to that point.

Additional Charges
The following additional charges may apply and will be clearly set out in our initial estimate:

•    Post Completion Fees: We charge £150 plus VAT, this fee will only be charged once.

•    Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Return: We charge £78 plus VAT for completing your SDLT return in accordance with the information you provide. Please note that we do not provide financial advice.

•    Bank Fees: We charge for transferring money by CHAPS. The fee for an outgoing transfer (to send completion monies or redeem a mortgage) is £30 plus VAT, and the fee for an incoming transfer is £6 plus VAT.

Disbursements

Disbursements are third-party costs incurred during the transaction, and VAT will be applied as required by HMRC. Common disbursements include:

For Sale Transactions:

•    Land Registry Copy Documents: Required for all sales of registered land, generally costing £3 per document, with the total cost typically not exceeding £20.

•    Leasehold Management Pack: These charges range from £75 to £500 or more. If we have dealt with the management company previously, we may be able to provide a more accurate estimate when requested.

For Purchase Transactions:

•    Searches: The cost typically totals around £200, depending on the Council.

•    Land Registry Searches: These cost approximately £3-£4 per search.

•    Land Registry Registration Fee: This fee varies based on the property's value and the type of application, ranging from £45 to £1,105. We will provide an estimate for your specific transaction.

•    Leasehold Charges: Freeholders or managing agents may require you to register your new ownership, with fees ranging from £75 to £500.

Fee Earners

For more information about the fee earner who may work on your transaction, please visit our Meet the Team page.

If you have any questions or would like to request an estimate, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please note that the current rate of VAT charged by HMRC is 20%.