Conveyancing Quotes and Fees
Count on our property experts for comprehensive conveyancing legal advice. We ensure that the terms are tailored to protect you throughout the conveyancing process.
We can advise you on Conveyancing at our Potters Bar, Hertford, and Finchley offices.
Conveyancing Service North & East London, Essex and Hertfordshire
Our conveyancing fees may vary due to many factors, including, but not limited to, the property value and whether or not there is a mortgage.
Each matter is different. When you contact us, we will provide you with a written quote specific to your transaction.
No hidden charges.
We provide you with details of the likely fees and disbursements before you formally instruct us. We are bound by that estimate. Our professionals are professionally obliged to inform you of any changes.
Please see our property page for details of our conveyancers and the supervising partner and their profiles in the Our People section of the website.
Discover more about conveyancing at our Hertford, Finchley, and Potters Bar offices.
Conveyancing fees for Property Purchase Freehold and Leasehold
The following fee information gives an indication of our fees for the purchase of a freehold or leasehold residential property. Our fees depend on the value of the property you are buying.
We provide you with an estimate at the outset based on that information and if you are getting a mortgage.
These fees are for individuals as there will be additional charges if acting on behalf of a limited company.
When we receive the papers we may have to revise the original estimate if the transaction is more complicated than we expected when the estimate was given. We will keep you informed about the progress of your transaction as well as any variation in the fees or additional charges which may arise.
Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new property. This includes dealing with:
- registration at the Land Registry.
- payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England
- payment of Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.
Stamp Duty is only payable when you buy a property and we will inform you of the amount when we give you the fees estimate as it will depend on the value of the property, if you are a first time buyer and if you own other property. We will collect the Stamp Duty from you before completion and it pay it on your behalf.
| TYPE OF FEE | COST |
| Acting for you in the purchase of your new home £450,000 to over £2,000,000 | £1350 -£3000 |
| Acting on behalf of your mortgage company** | £175.00 |
| Leasehold Fee for sale or purchase | £175.00 |
| Professional Indemnity Fee | £75.00 |
| Transfer of Funds, per item | £30.00 |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax Form Completion | £75.00 |
| Searches Administration | £25.00 |
| ID Check per buyer | £15.90 |
| Proof of funds fee per buyer | £2.10 |
| File Archive Fee | £25.00 |
| VAT is charged on all of these fees |
**If your Mortgage provider is Paragon Mortgages, Metro Bank or The Mortgage Trust there will be an additional legal fee estimated to be around £100.00 + VAT due to the sheer number of conditions in their offers.
** Help to Buy Loan £450
** Help to Buy ISA £50
Disbursements
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.
TYPE OF FEE | COST | |
| Stamp Duty Land Tax | Variable | |
| Standard Search Pack | Local Authority, Water & Drainage, Homebuyers, Chancel Indemnity | £278.60 |
| Land Registry Fee | £100 to £500 (depending on purchase price) | |
| Lender Panel fee ** (f applicable) | 35.00 | |
| Land Registry Title Search Fee | £3.00 | |
| Bankruptcy Search Fee (per name) | £2.00 | |
** plus vat £7
Certain disbursements will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements that 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.
Additional, Anticipated Disbursements
These fees vary from property to property and can, on occasion, be significantly higher than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.
| TYPE OF FEE | COST | |
| Notice of Transfer Fee | This fee, if chargeable, is set out in the lease. | £100 to £200 plus VAT |
| Notice of Charge Fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) | This fee is set out in the lease. | £100 to £200 plus VAT |
| Deed of Covenant Fee | This fee (when required) is payable to the management company on completion and can be difficult to estimate. | £100 and £200 plus VAT |
| Certificate of Compliance Fee | To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease. | £75 to £200 plus VAT |
You should also be aware that ground rent and service charges are likely to apply throughout your ownership of a leasehold property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information.
Stages of the Process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. Our team will:
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
- Request management pack (leasehold only)
- Raise enquiries on the management pack (leasehold only)
- Read and advise on the lease and raise enquiries (leasehold only)
- 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 the conditions of the mortgage offer with you
- Personal attendance with you to go through the paperwork and sign the contract
- Agree on 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 the lender and you
- Complete purchase
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
- Deal with application for registration at Land Registry
- Deal with post-completion Notices (leasehold only)
How long will my property purchase take?
The duration between the acceptance of your offer and the actual move-in date for your property depends on various factors. But the average process takes between 8 – 12 weeks
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain:
- For first-time buyers, purchasing a freehold house with a mortgage in principle: 8 – 10 weeks.
- For buyers of a leasehold property with a Management Company: 12 – 16 weeks
Learn more about Conveyancing at our Finchley, Potters Bar, Hertford offices.
Property Sale Freehold and Leasehold
The following fee information gives an indication of our fees for the sale of a freehold or leasehold residential property in in a simple uncomplicated transaction, including redeeming any mortgage secured against the property.
Additional fees may apply for a number of reasons, for example, a Defect in Title that requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction.
| TYPE OF FEE | COST |
| Acting for you in the sale of your property depending on the sale price | £1225 -£3000 |
| Acting on Behalf of Your Mortgage Company (per lender) | £100.00 |
| Leasehold fee | £175.00 |
| Professional Indemnity | £75.00 |
| Transfer of funds per item | £30 |
| ID Check per person * | £15.90 |
| File Archive Fee | £25.00 |
| VAT is payable on these fees |
*inclusive of VAT
Disbursements
We handle the payment of the following disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process:
- Land Registry Office Copy Entries, per title – £6.00
- Management Pack (estimate) – £300.00 (plus VAT)
Stages of the Process
The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential freehold or leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. We will:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Arrange for you to complete the protocol forms
- Obtain and investigate the title to the property and your right to sell the property
- Obtain a redemption statement from your mortgage lender
- Obtain replies to enquiries from any management company
- Prepare contract documents and send these to the buyer’s solicitor
- Respond to any necessary enquiries of the buyer’s solicitor
- Give you advice on all enquiries received
- Send final contract to you for signature
- Agree on completion date (date on which you sell the property)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Calculate any apportionments to be collected
- Arrange for all monies required to be collected from the buyer’s solicitor
- Pay the estate agent, if any
- Redeem the mortgage, if any
- Account to you.
How long will my property sale take?
The average process takes between 6-12 weeks.
To discuss your specific conveyancing requirements, please contact us on 020 8367 3230 or reception@martinshepherd.co.uk or contact one of our conveyancers direct at the Potters Bar, Finchley or Hertford office.