Sale of a Residential Property

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the sale of the Property. This will include the preparation of contracts, proving title, dealing with enquiries raised by the buyer, exchanging contracts, completing the matter, repaying any mortgages and accounting to you.

Legal Fees Assumptions

Our legal fees assume that:

• Any specific transaction 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
• If leasehold, 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
• You take the advice of other professionals if this proves advisable or necessary

Conveyancer's Fees and Disbursements

The fees are likely to be in the range of £550 to £3,000 plus VAT (£660 to £3,600 with VAT).

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. These are likely to include:

• HM Land Registry fees for copy title and title documents. The average fee is around £11 plus VAT (£13.20 with VAT)
• Bank transfer administration fee to repay a mortgage or on the transfer of funds out by CHAPS transfer: £30 plus VAT (£36 with VAT)
• Land Charges Registry bankruptcy search fees: £4 plus VAT (£4.80 with VAT)
• There may be other fees, such as estate agents fees, to be paid

What is not Included

• If the property is Leasehold then there will be an additional charge of £125 plus VAT (£150 with VAT). There may be ground rent and/or service charges to be apportioned on completion
• If an indemnity policy is required then there will be an additional charge of £25 plus VAT (£30 with VAT) per policy plus the cost of the indemnity policy. It is impossible to give an estimate of these premiums as they vary from a few pounds to several hundred pounds. It is usual for the seller to pay
• If the title is unregistered (in whole or in part) then there will be an additional charge of £100 plus VAT (£120 with VAT). There would likely be some reduction in HM Land Registry fees but higher Land Charges Search fees to pay
• If a fee is payable to a Landlord or management company either for the provision of information (this varies but is frequently between £100 and £400 and may incur VAT which would take the total payable to £120 to £480 with VAT), or sometimes a capital payment is required which is usually based on a percentage of the sale price. These fees are normally payable in advance

How Long will my House Sale Take?

How long it will take from you accepting an offer until you need to vacate will depend on a number of factors, most of which will be outside our control. The average process takes between 6 - 12 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are selling to a cash buyer and are able to give vacant possession on demand, it could take four – six weeks. If there is a chain of transactions however, it will take as long as the slowest transaction in the chain.

If you are selling a leasehold property you will need to supply certain forms and information usually provided by the landlord or management company and that can take significantly longer, depending on how efficient they are at providing the information.

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below is an example of what is typically involved:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Carry out ID and Anti-Money Laundering checks
• Contact lender's solicitors if they are separately represented. Although this would be rare as we are Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited and so are on the panels of most lenders
• Deduce title to the property
• Prepare contract documents
• Reply to any necessary enquiries raised by the buyer’s solicitor and approve draft transfer
• Obtaining figures for repayment of any mortgage(s)
• Send final contract to you for signature or attending you to sign
• Agree completion date (date from which you must have vacated the property)
• Account to you
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Arrange for all monies needed to be paid to any lender and you
• Complete sale
• Serve any required notices
• Report to you as to proceeds of sale

The Team

Find out more about the individuals who may be working on your case via the links below. Their profiles will include information as to their experience and qualifications.

Abigail Thomas, residential conveyancing solicitor
Anna Burgess, solicitor
Cassie Chidlow, solicitor
Kaye Davies, associate legal executive (FCILEx)
Kaylee Evans, legal assistant
James Jones, associate solicitor
Karen Ross, chartered legal executive
Debbie Stott, legal assistant
Tim Treherne, partner, head of residential property
Nicola Bates, solicitor
David Foden, partner
Abigail Huband, residential conveyancer
Janette Johnston, senior conveyancing assistant
Nicola Simmons, conveyancing support
Karen Bell, senior conveyancing assistant
Sarah Traylor, senior conveyancing assistant 
Emma Jones, solicitor 
Ellen Cooper, residential conveyancing support
Grace Parr, legal support assistant
Hayley Wood, residential conveyancing support
Samantha Bailey, residential conveyancing support
Vicky Clishem, solicitor