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 6 and 12 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first-time buyer of a completed new build property, this may be a shorter process. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease or a property that is being sold as part of the administration of an estate (Probate), this can take significantly longer. In such a situation, additional charges could apply.
Stages of the process
The key stages are:
- 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, if applicable
- Send final contract and transfer 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
Conveyancing Fees
Sale: |
Purchase: |
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TT Fee = £36.00 (£30.00 + VAT £6.00) |
Searches = £266.00 |
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OCE (X2) = £14.00 |
Land Registry Fee from £20.00 |
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File Storage = £20.00 |
LTT = £96.00 (£80.00 + VAT) |
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ID Check = £9.60 per person |
SDLT = £96.00 (£80.00 + VAT) |
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TT Fee = £36.00 (£30.00 + VAT) |
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File Storage = £20.00 |
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Land Registry Prep Fee = £120.00 (£100.00 + VAT) |
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Fees: |
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Value up to £200,000.00 = £800.00 + VAT £160.00 |
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Value up to £300,000.00 = £830.00 + VAT £166.00 |
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Value up to £400,000.00 = £850.00 + VAT £170.00 |
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Value up to £800,000.00 = £1000.00 + VAT £200.00 |
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Value up to £900,000.00 = £1100.00 + VAT £220.00 |
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Over £1million Discretion |
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Re-mortgage = £450.00 + VAT |
Disbursements: |
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Search Fees = £266.00 |
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Land Registry Search = £7.00 each |
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Bankruptcy Search = £7.00 each |
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Registration Fee = £20.00 to £500.00 |
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Search Insurance = from £20.00 |
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Office Copies = £7.00 each |
Additional Charges to be Added: |
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Leasehold Fee for a flat |
= £240.00 (£200.00 + VAT £40.00) |
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Help to Buy ISA Fee |
= £120.00 (£100.00 + VAT £20.00) |
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Help to Buy Loan Fee |
= £240.00 (£200.00 + VAT £40.00) |
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New Build Fee |
= £240.00 (£200.00 + VAT £40.00) |
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Indemnity Policy |
= £66.00 (£55.00 + VAT £11.00) |
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Unregistered Property Fee |
= £120.00 (£100.00 + VAT £20.00) |
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Registering a Charge with Companies House |
= £120.00 (£100.00 + VAT £20.00) |
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Removal of Additional Chargers |
= £120.00 (£100.00 + VAT £20.00) each |
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Statutory Declaration |
= £180.00 (£150.00 + VAT £30.00) |
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Declaration of Trust |
= £420.00 (£350.00 + VAT £70.00) |
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LMS |
= £60.00 (£50.00 + VAT £10.00) |
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Payments sent to us in parts |
= £120.00 (£100.00 + VAT 20.00) |
Important Information
Please note that with Leasehold Properties, ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property.
We will provide a more accurate figure for overall costs once we have considered your specific documents.
We will endeavour to keep costs to a minimum and within the quotes provided. In the instances of additional complexities, or unforeseen circumstances, we will obtain your consent before incurring any further costs, other than those provided above.
Where VAT is to be added, this will be at the applicable rate at the date on which the fee or disbursement is incurred.
Who will be dealing with your matter?
Barbara Kinsey LLB Hons (Partner) – over 25 years of experience
Peter Smith (Consultant) – over 40 years of experience
