Purchase of a freehold residential property
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.
* Our fee assumes that:
a. 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
b. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
c. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
d. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required
Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements
Our fees are as set out on the page labelled Residential Conveyancing Charges
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. Details of the likely fees are set out on the page labelled Conveyancing Charges
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 the HMRC’s website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority’s website.
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 8-12 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 offer already in place, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 5 months, depending on the conduct of the other parties in the transaction. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. Below are some of the key stages:
- 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 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.
* Our fee assumes that:
a. 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
b. this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
c. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
d. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
e. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required
Conveyancer’s fees and disbursements
Our fees are as set out on the page Residential Conveyancing Charges
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 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 separately below. 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
- Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease
- Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate
- Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease
*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 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 the 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. Below are some of the key stages:
- 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
* Our fixed fee assumes that:
a. 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
b. this is the assignment of an existing lease and is not the grant of a new lease
c. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
d. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
e. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required
Residential Conveyancing Charges
A. Bawtrees Fees
| Freehold Residential Sales and Purchases | Fixed Fee (plus VAT @ 20%) |
| Value up to: | |
| £250,000.00 | £950.00 (plus VAT of £190.00) |
| £500,000.00 | £1075.00 (plus VAT of £215.00) |
| £750,000.00 | £1225.00 (plus VAT of £245.00) |
| £1,000,000.00 | £1550.00 (plus VAT of £310.00) |
| £1,000,000.00 and over | £1750.00 (plus VAT of £350.00) |
Add £200.00 plus VAT £40.00 if leasehold/shared ownership scheme (for both sale and purchase)
Add £50.00 plus VAT of £10.00 if new build property (purchase)
B. Disbursements/Expenses
Likely disbursements to allow for on a purchase:
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | As per HMRC prevailing rates (information can be obtained from the HMRC online SDLT calculator) |
| Land Registry registration Fee (Scale 1) | As per HM Land Registry prevailing rates at time of purchase (information can be obtained from the Land Registry website) |
| Search fees | These vary depending on location of property and fees charged by the relevant local authority and utility providers but estimate £300.00 |
| Land registry priority search | £3 plus VAT of £0.60 |
| Bankruptcy search | £2 plus VAT of £0.40 per individual |
| Bank transfer fee | £30.00 plus VAT of £6.00 |
| Mortgage panel fee | £25.00 plus VAT £5.00 |
Likely disbursements to allow for on a sale:
| Land registry Copy entries (est) | £20.00 plus VAT of £4.00 |
| Bank transfer fee | £30.00 plus VAT of £6.00 |
Leasehold properties
On a purchase additional disbursements include fees due to the Landlord/Management Company as determined by the Lease. On a sale Management Company and Landlords also charge a fee for providing an information package
Our Team
Adam Shirley – Head of Residential Property
Experience: Adam is a Partner and solicitor with over 20 years’ experience acting for clients and giving advice on all aspects of property law.
Percentage of time spent on property law: 80%
Charge out rate (where applicable): £260 per hour
Paul Eagle – Chartered Legal Executive and Licensed Conveyancer
Experience: over 40 years’ experience acting for clients and giving advice on all aspects of property law.
Percentage of time spent on property law: 100%
Charge out rate (where applicable): £260 per hour
Supervised by Adam Shirley
Christopher Gill – Consultant Solicitor and former partner
Experience: over 40 years’ experience acting for clients and giving advice on all aspects of property law.
Percentage of time spent on property law: 80%
Charge out rate (where applicable): £260/hour
Supervised by Adam Shirley
For expert advice and assistance please use our contact page, call us on 01376 513 491 or email hello@bawtrees.co.uk.
