Conveyancing Service
Willsons Solicitors provides a professional, friendly and efficient service with competitive fixed pricing. In our Conveyancing Department we have a partner, Peter Tustain and a number of Conveyancing Executives all keen to help you through the process as smoothly and as quickly as possible. We offer a personal approach, you can meet the person face to face, at a time to fit into your busy day.
We are not a Conveyancing “bucket shop”. We are not just a voice on the phone. Willsons Solicitors provides a service whereby you have the opportunity to come in and meet the person dealing with your transaction. You can be confident that that person understands your expectations and that their aim is to achieve your goal and guide you through the process.
In our Conveyancing Department we have a Partner, a Solicitor and a number of Conveyancing Executives all keen to help you through the process as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
We are proud to have achieved the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation so you can rest assured that your conveyancing is in safe hands, whilst offering a professional, thorough and personal service.
Our investment in IT has given us the capacity to complete property transactions promptly. This has helped us become more efficient whilst providing an exceptionally thorough and personal service.
Purchase Costs
Purchase of a freehold or leasehold 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.
Please note all fees and disbursements are quoted excluding VAT. VAT is currentlycharged at 20% and is subject to change.
Additional costs may be incurred for the following (this list is not exhaustive):
- Bridging Loan
- Help to Buy New Build
- Help to Buy ISA
- Help to Buy Armed Forces
- Gifted Deposit
- Complex transaction requiring a number of anti-money laundering searches if money is coming from different sources.
- Multiple Purchasers
- The requirement for a declaration of trust if buying as tenants in common
- Indemnity Policy
- Unregistered Title
Factors that would typically increase the cost of the service are:
- If legal title is defective or part of the property is unregistered
- If you discover building regulations or planning permission has not been obtained
- If crucial documents you have previously requested from the client have not been provided
Purchase Freehold Legal Fees
| Property value up to £200,000 | £200,001-£349,999 | £350,000-£499,999 | £500,000+ | Property value £1m and over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average £580 | Average £630 | Average £695 | Average £900 | 0.25% or 0.5% of the property price |
Purchase Leasehold Legal Fees
| Property value up to £200,000 | £200,001-£349,999 | £350,000-£499,999 | £500,000+ | Property value £1m and over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average £780 | Average £825 | Average £895 | Average £1100 | 0.25% or 0.5% of the property price |
Purchase Disbursements and Associated Fees (Where applicable):
| Fee | Cost | Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Search Fees | £150.00-£800.00 dependant on the location of the property | All purchase transactions |
| HM Land Registry | These are set by the government and can be found here | All purchase transactions |
| Electronic money transfer | £30 | All purchase transactions |
| ID Checks | All purchase transactions | |
| Management Pack Fee | From £250 | All purchase transactions |
| Acting on behalf of the mortgage lender | £50 | All purchase transactions |
| Stamp Duty or Land Tax | This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website here. | All purchase transactions |
| VAT Payable | Currently 20% | All purchase transactions |
Purchase Process
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.
There are two parties to the transaction so however quickly the transaction takes place is dependent upon the seller and the buyer having the will for the same date together with the buyers mortgage company being able to comply. If there is a chain; i.e. if there are a number of people buying and selling , they are all dependant on each other then it can take many weeks. It it very difficult to say right at the outset how long the transaction will be but we would anticipate it not usually exceeding 16 weeks and we would hope to complete within 6-8 weeks.
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, the below is an overview of the stages you can expect during a “standard” transaction:
- 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
- Management packs (leasehold only)
- 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
Sale Costs
Residential Conveyancing Legal Fees
Sale of a freehold or leasehold residential property
Our fees cover all of the work* required to complete the sale of your new home.
Please note all fees and disbursements are quoted excluding VAT.
Sale Freehold Legal Fees
| Property value up to £200,000 | £200,001-£349,999 | £350,000-£499,999 | £500,000+ | Property value £1m and over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average £550 | Average £600 | Average £650 | Average £820 | 0.25% or 0.5% of the property price |
Sale Leasehold Legal Fees
| Property value up to £200,000 | £200,001-£349,999 | £350,000-£499,999 | £500,000+ | Property value £1m and over |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average £750 | Average £800 | Average £850 | Average £1020 | 0.25% or 0.5% of the property price |
Sale Disbursements and Associated Fees (Where applicable):
| Fee | Cost | Applicable |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic money transfer | £30 | All purchase transactions |
| ID Checks | £4.50 per person | All purchase transactions |
| Office Copy Entries | £12 | All purchase transactions |
| VAT Payable | Currently 20% | All purchase transactions |
Sale Process
How long will my house sale take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you complete on the sale of your house will depend on a number of factors.
There are two parties to the transaction so however quickly the transaction takes place is dependent upon the seller and the buyer having the will for the same date together with the buyers mortgage company being able to comply. If there is a chain; i.e. if there are a number of people buying and selling, they are all dependant on each other then it can take many weeks. It itsverydifficult to say right at the outset how long the transaction will be but we would anticipate it not usually exceeding 16 weeks and we would hope to complete within 6-8 weeks.
Stages of the process
The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, the below is an overview of the stages you can expect during a “standard” transaction:
-
Take your instructions and give you initial advice
-
Investigating the Registered title to the property, to include:
-
Carrying out searches with respect to title and obtaining title documents;
-
Reviewing replies given by you in pre-contract enquiries and adding any further necessary information;
-
Negotiating a purchase contract;
-
Negotiating a transfer document;
-
Advising you in respect of your repayment of the mortgage (if relevant);
-
Proceeding to exchange of contracts and then completion of the purchase;
-
Receiving funds by telegraphic transfer from the buyer’s solicitors;
-
Transmitting funds to repay your mortgage (if relevant).
Additional Information
Buying as Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common
Buying or Selling at Auction
Meet The Conveyancing Team
About Peter
Pete started working for a local firm of solicitors in 1978, studying in his spare time to qualify as a Legal Executive before attending the college of Law in Chester to qualify as a solicitor.
Pete is the Head of the Conveyancing department and enjoys dealing with all aspects of residential conveyancing. He enjoys dealing with clients and, wherever possible, will try to reduce the pressure on clients during what can be a very stressful process. Pete will always try to cut through the conveyancing jargon to make sure that information is provided in a format that can be understood.
Pete has a team of people that he trusts to do everything they can to look after clients and if required to go the extra mile to make the conveyancing experience as seamless as possible. There are regular training sessions within the department to ensure that service levels are maintained and the client experience is made as user-friendly as possible.
Whilst Pete and his team always try to achieve their clients’ desired timescale for completion, there are times when this simply cannot be achieved due to factors beyond the control of clients or the firm. We will always take time to provide information to our clients to explain any delay.
In his spare time, Pete enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music and going to see bands at music venues and pubs all over the country.
About Lacey
Lacey has 19 years experience working in residential conveyancing.
Lacey is responsible for a high volume of residential conveyancing to include sales, purchases, transfer of equity and re-mortgages. These can be either Freehold or Leasehold transactions.
Lacey takes pride in helping Clients to understand the conveyancing process and managing their expectations. She also understands the stress that Clients feel when dealing with property transactions and will always offer a friendly service to try and make this as simple and stress free as possible.
Out of work, Lacey enjoys reading, spending time with her family and volunteering at a local stables as a pony club leader.
About Natalie
Natalie completed her Law & Criminal Justice Degree and subsequent Legal Practice Course at De Montfort University in Leicester.
Natalie has since specialised in residential Conveyancing for over 10 years, dealing with Freehold and Leasehold transactions, Right to Buys and newbuild properties.
Natalie is fully conversant in completing residential conveyancing matters to strict timescales, and prides herself in making the process as smooth as possible, for what is usually a stressful time for clients.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys spending time with her young family.