Buying a house can be a complicated process, with many key aspects that you do not want to overlook. Using a solicitor is essential to ensure the process runs smoothly, making certain that all contracts and exchanges comply with the law. Here at Starck Uberoi, we pride ourselves in transparency, therefore in this blog we will be discussing the solicitors fees for buying a house and what should be included when comparing quotes.
For an instant conveyancing quote, please visit our online conveyancing calculator.
What are solicitor fees?
During the process of buying a house, you will need to work with a solicitor to ensure all the legal paperwork and documents are in order. This process is called conveyancing. Solicitors charge conveyancing fees to carry out these services.
Solicitors Fees for Buying a House
Legal fees are a major component within solicitor fees for buying a house. There are several aspects that legal fees cover, and a lot of hidden costs that can be incurred. The main costs included are for the following services:
- Drafting and reviewing contracts – The solicitor will thoroughly review the contract drafted by the seller. This review will ensure that all the terms of the contract accurately reflect the details agreed such as purchase price, completion date and any other terms involved.
- Title deed investigations – Part of the conveyancing process, the solicitor will ensure that the property’s title is authentic and anticipate potential issues with the matter.
- Completing the sale – On completion day, solicitors play a key role, they pay the seller on your behalf and handle the necessary legal paperwork involved.
At Starck Uberoi Solicitors, we normally charge anywhere between £1,000 to £1,200 plus VAT for the legal fees. There are also other fees that you should also be aware of that you may need to pay:
Additional Fees
- Leasehold Fee = £360.00 including VAT
- Acting for Lender = £240.00 including VAT
- Document Storage and Archive Fee = £72.00 including VAT
- Telegraphic Transfer Fee = £30.00 including VAT
- Gifted Deposit = £180.00 including VAT
Disbursements
- AML Fraud Prevention Check Service = £41.40 including VAT
- Search Pack (estimated) = £350
SDLT and Land Registry Admin Fee
- Land Registry OS1 = £4.20
- Bankruptcy Search = £3.20
- Infotrack- Source of Funds = £4.80
- ECOS- Electronic Onboarding = £7.80
- Leasehold Report = £42.00 including VAT
- Land Registry Fee = £150.00
- Stamp Duty Land Tax = Depends on price and the Purchase Price Band of the property
Use our conveyancing quote calculator to receive an accurate and transparent cost estimate
Instant Conveyancing Quote
At Starck Uberoi we are committed to providing you with efficient and clear legal advice. We understand that finding a reliable conveyancer can be a time consuming and difficult task; to make it easier for you, we provide a free, online conveyancing quote calculator to save you time on your search.
How Starck Uberoi can help
Our conveyancing solicitors have received accreditation by the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and share extensive pooled experience in dealing with even the most complicated conveyancing matters. By instructing us, you can be confident that your property purchase will be completed efficiently and effectively.
For more information, please see our Conveyancing page. To book an appointment, please speak to us on 020 8840 6640 or email solicitor@starckuberoi.co.uk.
Our solicitors on Brentford High Street, are just a short walk away from Brentford railway station. Our Belgravia solicitors are located Just a 5 minute walk from Victoria tube station in Grosvenor Gardens. Our solicitors located in Ealing London are only a short walk from both Ealing Broadway and South Ealing and our solicitors in Richmond Surrey have the pleasure of overlooking the picturesque Richmond Green. Finally our solicitors in Canterbury Kent are located in the within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canterbury Cathedral.
Mortgage Lender Panels
Trusted Residential Conveyancing
“We are a five-partner practice, with five SRA-approved managers, accredited under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). We maintain professional indemnity insurance cover of £4 million and are members of the residential conveyancing panels of all major mortgage lenders and specialist bridging finance providers.”
FAQs
Fixed fee conveyancing means you will only pay the price quoted for legal fees with no extras. While your disbursements will be included in your original quote, they may not be part of the fixed fees, as additional searches may be needed during the buying process.
As per reallymoving, the average cost of conveyancing services for homeowners is around £2,038 including fees and disbursements. This may be cheaper if you are a First Time Buyer.
Typically, you usually pay a deposit up-front and the rest on completion. Completion occurs once you exchange contracts.
The standard legal fees that your solicitor will initially charge you will not include Stamp Duty. Stamp Duty is often paid at the end of the purchasing process, usually within 14 days from the date of completion. If you are buying your first home, you may pay significantly less thanks to stamp duty relief for first-time buyers.
