Residential Conveyancing Pricing

SRA Transparency Rules

Legal Practices in England and Wales such as Woolliscrofts Solicitors Limited are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Under the SRA Transparency Rules all such legal practices are required to publish information on prices and services in respect of specific types of legal work undertaken by them – including Residential Conveyancing work.

Who deals with Residential Conveyancing work at Woolliscrofts Solicitors?

To view details of the Conveyancing Team here at Woolliscrofts Solicitors please click here.

We would emphasize that:

no two properties are the same (in our experience different issues can even arise in respect of each of a pair of Semi-Detached properties, properties in the same Terrace or similar properties on the same Housing Estate or Development);
the information provided here is, therefore, general and indicative only; and
there really is no substitute to contacting a member of the specialist Conveyancing Team here at Woolliscrofts Solicitors in order to provide us with details of your specific requirements and allow us to provide you with a competitive individual Costs Estimate specific to your needs, which we will be happy to confirm in writing to you and which would, in any event, be confirmed in an Engagement Letter in the event of you deciding to proceed to instruct Woolliscrofts Solicitors to act on your behalf.

Residential Property Sale

Most Residential Property Sale matters are charged upon the basis of a Fixed Fee. Depending upon the particular circumstances of your matter more than one Fixed Fee may apply to your transaction. For example, if the title to the property being sold by you is Leasehold rather than Freehold an Additional Leasehold Fixed Fee would be charged in additional to the basic Fixed Fee applicable to the sale of Freehold properties. In addition to the Fixed Basic Legal Fees and Fixed Additional Fees set out below Third Party Disbursements (and, if you wish monies to be paid by Bank Transfer Other Fees) will be payable, as outlined below.

Details of the work included within the basic Freehold Sale Fixed Fee are provided below. In exceptional cases where unexpected issues and / or the need for unexpected work to be undertaken arise additional charges may be made which, depending upon the circumstances, may be upon the basis of an additional Fixed Fee or Hourly Charge rate.

Below you will find details of our professional fees which cover the work which is normally required to complete the sale of your standard freehold residential property, the third party disbursements which are usually incurred and additional costs which may be incurred if relevant to your transaction.

Legal Fees - basic Freehold Sale

Other Fees
Third Party Disbursements
These are costs which are charged by third parties (i.e. Land Registry) which we will handle for you.
- Office Copies and Title Plan: £6.00
- Additional Title Documents: £3.00 (per copy)
- Index Map Search: £4.00
Additional Fees
- Leasehold Property: £250 + VAT*
- Unregistered Title: £100 + VAT*
- Shared Ownership: £250 + VAT*
- Statutory Declaration: £100 + VAT*
- Help to Buy 2^nd Charge: £150 + VAT*
- Estate Funds Distribution: £50 + VAT* per beneficiary
- Auction Sale: £150 + VAT*
Additional Disbursements - Leasehold Property
The following additional disbursements may be incurred but the costs will be advised by the Management Company so are unknown to us at the outset:
- Management Company Sellers Pack
Estimated Total Cost

As will be seen from the information appearing above, the total overall cost of a matter will vary according to the value of the property being sold, whether the title to property being sold is Freehold or Leasehold and potentially one or more other factors such as, for example, whether the sale of the property is by Auction and / or whether a Help to Buy 2^nd Charge is involved or a Statutory Declaration is required, in addition to whether payment are required or requested to be made by Bank Transfer and the particular Third Party Disbursements actually incurred by Woolliscrofts Solicitors on your behalf.

Whilst it is, for the reasons explained above, impossible to provide an indicative overall total cost for each different type of Property Sale, by way of example, if you are selling a freehold residential property for £120,000 with a mortgage to redeem the estimated total cost would be £678 inclusive of VAT*. This is calculated on the basis of our costs being £630 (including VAT*), our admin costs for bank transfer (to include Bank Transfer Fee) of £42.00 (including VAT*) and Office Copies and Title Plan of £6.00.

As previously mentioned, no two property sales are the same and there really is no substitute for contacting a member of the specialist Conveyancing Team here at Woolliscrofts Solicitors in order to provide details of your specific requirements and allow us to provide you with a competitive Costs Estimate tailored to your individual requirements and the particular circumstances of your matter. Call our team now on 01782 204000 or, alternatively, send us a free no obligation enquiry.

Residential Property Purchase

Most Residential Property Purchase matters are charged upon the basis of a Fixed Fee. Depending upon the particular circumstances of your matter more than one Fixed Fee may apply to your transaction. For example, if the title to the property being purchased by you is Leasehold rather than Freehold an Additional Leasehold Fixed Fee would be charged in additional to the basic Fixed Fee applicable to the purchase of Freehold properties. In addition to the Fixed Basic Legal Fees and Fixed Additional Fees set out below Third Party Disbursements (and, if you wish monies to be paid by Bank Transfer Other Fees) will be payable, as outlined below.

Details of the work included within the basic Freehold Purchase Fixed Fee are provided below. In exceptional cases where unexpected issues and / or the need for unexpected work to be undertaken arise additional charges may be made which, depending upon the circumstances, may be upon the basis of an additional Fixed Fee or Hourly Charge rate.

Below you will find details of our professional fees which cover the work which is normally required to complete the purchase of your standard freehold residential property, the third party disbursements which are usually incurred and additional costs which may be incurred if relevant to your transaction.

Legal Fees – basic Freehold Purchase

Other Fees
Third Party Disbursements
These are costs which are charged by third parties (i.e. Land Registry) which we will handle for you.
- Search Fees:
  This will depend upon a variety of factors including, for example, the geographical location of the property (which is of relevance to considerations such as, for example, Coal Mining and / or Radon Gas), the requirements of any Mortgage Lender who may be involved and choices made by the client after being advised by Woolliscrofts Solicitors in relation to searches to be considered. A typical Search Bundle costs in the region of £350. If you contact Woolliscrofts Solicitors we will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate of Search Costs tailored to the particular circumstances of your proposed purchase and your specific requirements call our team now on 01782 204000 or, alternatively, send us a free no obligation enquiry by e-mail.
- Land Registry Search: £3.00
- Stamp Duty or Land Tax:
  The amount of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) or Land TransactionTax (LTT) payable (if any) depends upon factors such as, for example, the purchase price of the property and whether it is the purchase of a First Home. You can calculate (subject to any changes which may come into force prior to completion of your purchase) the amount of any SDLT or LTT liability using:
  - HMRC’s website if the property is located in England
  - The Welsh Revenue Authority’s website if the property is located in Wales
- Land Registration Fee:
  The amount of the Land Registration Fee depends upon the value of the property and whether or not the property has previously been registered at the Land Registry. Click here to visit the Land Registry Fee Calculator.
- Bankruptcy Search: £2.00 (per person)
Additional Fees
- Leasehold Property: £250 + VAT*
- Unregistered Title: £100 + VAT*
- Shared Ownership: £350 + VAT*
- Statutory Declaration: £100 + VAT*
- Gifted Deposit Admin: £50 + VAT* (per contribution)
- Help to Buy ISA: £50 + VAT*
- Help to Buy Loan: £250 + VAT*
- New Build: £300 + VAT*
- Purchase at Auction: £150 + VAT*
- Declaration of Trust: £150 + VAT*
Additional Disbursements - Leasehold Property
The following additional disbursements may be incurred but the costs will be advised by the Management Company so are unknown to us at the outset:
- Notice of Transfer
- Deed of Covenant
- Notice of Charge
- Certificate of Compliance
Estimated Total Cost

As will be seen from the information appearing above, the total overall cost of a matter will vary according to the value of the property being purchased, whether the title to property being purchased is Freehold or Leasehold and potentially one or more other factors such as, for example, whether the purchase of the property takes place at an Auction and / or whether a Gifted Deposit is involved, the property is a New Build, a Help to Buy ISA or Help To Buy Loan is involved or a Declaration of Trust is required, in addition to whether payment are required or requested to be made by Bank Transfer and the particular Third Party Disbursements actually incurred by Woolliscrofts Solicitors on your behalf.

Whilst it is, for the reasons explained above, impossible to provide an indicative overall total cost for each different type of Property Purchase, by way of example, if you are purchasing a freehold residential property for £120,000 with the assistance of a mortgage the estimated total cost would be £1,134 inclusive of VAT*. This is calculated on the basis of our costs being £642 (inc VAT*), searches at approximately £350, Land Registration Fee of £95, Land Registry Search of £3.00, Bankruptcy Search of £2.00 and our admin costs for bank transfer (to include Bank Transfer Fee) £42.00 inc VAT*.

As previously mentioned, no two property purchases are the same and there really is no substitute for contacting a member of the specialist Conveyancing Team here at Woolliscrofts Solicitors in order to provide details of your specific requirements and allow us to provide you with a competitive Costs Estimate tailored to your individual requirements and the particular circumstances of your matter. Call our team now on 01782 204000 or, alternatively, send us a free no obligation enquiry.

Remortgage

Legal Fees
- Re-Mortgages up to £100,000: Fixed Legal Fee of £410 plus VAT* and applicable Other Fees and Third Party Disbursements as outlined below
- Re-Mortgages of between £100,001 and £200,000: Fixed Legal Fee of £460 plus VAT* and applicable Other Fees and Third Party Disbursements as outlined below
- Re-Mortgages of between £200,001 and £500,000: Fixed Legal Fee of £510 plus VAT* and applicable Other Fees and Third Party Disbursements as outlined below
- For Re-Mortgages of above £500,000: Please contact us for a bespoke quote
Other Fees
Third Party Disbursements
These are costs which are charged by third parties (i.e. Land Registry) which we will handle for you.
- Office Copies and Title Plan: £6.00
- Search Bundle: £350.00
- No Search Insurance Policy: £ varies (if acceptable to new Lender)
- Land Registration Fee:
  The amount of the Land Registration Fee depends upon the Remortgage loan amount and whether or not the property has previously been registered at the Land Registry. Click here to visit the Land Registry Fee Calculator.
Estimated Total Cost

As will be seen from the information appearing above, the total overall cost of a matter will vary according to the amount of the Re-Mortgage and the applicable Other Fees and Third Party Disbursements.

Whilst it is, for the reasons explained above, impossible to provide an indicative overall total cost for each different Remortgage, by way of example, the Total Overall Cost of a Re-Mortgage attracted the lowest level of Land Registration Fee, only involving one Bank Transfer and not involving a No Search Insurance Policy would be £910 (assuming an applicable VAT* rate of 20%).

As previously mentioned, the pricing information provided here is general and indicative only. As no two Remortgage matters are exactly the same there really is no substitute for contacting a member of the specialist Conveyancing Team here at Woolliscrofts Solicitors in order to provide details of your specific requirements and allow us to provide you with a competitive Costs Estimate tailored to your individual requirements and the particular circumstances of your matter. Call our team now on 01782 204000 or, alternatively, send us a free no obligation enquiry.

What work is included within the Legal Fees of Woolliscrofts Solicitors?

Clients who contact Woolliscrofts Solicitors will be provided with an estimate of our Professional Charges and any applicable anticipated related Other Fees and Third Party Disbursements based upon the stages of the Conveyancing process which appear to be involved upon the basis of the information initially provided to us.

Below are illustrative examples of the stages typically involved in certain types of Conveyancing transaction which would generally be included within the scope of any Costs Estimate provided to you unless we were not aware of relevant information at the time of providing you with our initial Costs Estimate:

The purchase of a Freehold Property
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a freehold residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages which would typically be included within the scope of any tailored Costs Estimate provided to you by Woolliscrofts Solicitors:
- Undertaking Client Identification Verification Checks
- Take your instructions, checking paperwork received from you and give you initial advice
- Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
- Attending to formalities associated with any Gifted Deposits or the like of which we are informed at the outset of the matter
- Receive and advise on contract documents
- Carry out searches agreed with you (in cases involving Mortgage Lenders the lender is likely to insist upon certain searches being undertaken)
- 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 where appropriate
- Meeting with you in person to deal with signature of the final Contract and any Mortgage
- Draft Transfer
- Advise you on Joint Ownership where appropriate
- Obtain pre-Completion searches
- Agreeing a completion date (i.e. the 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
- Legally Complete the purchase
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty / Land Tax
- Deal with the application for registration of the property at Land Registry
The purchase of a Leasehold Property
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages which would typically be included within the scope of any tailored Costs Estimate provided to you by Woolliscrofts Solicitors:
- Undertaking Client Identification Verification Checks
- Take your instructions, checking paperwork received from you and give you initial advice
- Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
- Attending to formalities associated with any Gifted Deposits or the like of which we are informed at the outset of the matter
- Receive and advise on contract documents and proposed Lease
- Carry out searches agreed with you (in cases involving Mortgage Lenders the lender is likely to insist upon certain searches being undertaken)
- Obtain further planning documentation if required and Leasehold documents
- 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 where appropriate
- Meeting with you in person to deal with signature of the final Contract and any Mortgage
- Draft Transfer
- Advise you on Joint Ownership where appropriate
- Obtain pre-completion searches
- Agreeing a completion date (i.e. the 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
- Legally Complete the purchase
- Deal with payment of Stamp Duty / Land Tax
- Deal with the application for registration of the property at Land Registry
- Deal with post-Completion Leasehold requirements with the Landlord and Managing Agents
Property Sales
The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages which would typically be included within the scope of any tailored Costs Estimate provided to you by Woolliscrofts Solicitors:
- Preparing Client Care and Engagement documentation;
- Undertaking Client Identification Verification Checks
- Take your instructions, checking paperwork received from you and providing any necessary initial advice
- Preparing and issuing Contract documentation
- Dealing with routine enquiries received from buyer’s Solicitor
- Reviewing the Transfer document
- Overseeing signature of the Contract and Transfer
- Agreeing a completion date (i.e. the date from which you no longer own the property)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Dealing with the Transfer document and Requisitions
- Legally Complete the sale
- Deal with any Indemnity Policies and providing them to the Buyer’s Solicitor
Mortgage only transactions
The steps typically involved in such transactions include the following:

YOU
- Complete the Questionnaire enclosed with our covering letter and return to Woolliscrofts Solicitors together with funds to cover immediate disbursements.
WE
- Institute appropriate local authority searches or arrange search insurance.
- Carry out our title investigations and inform you of any problems.
- Obtain the redemption statement and deeds from your existing lender(s) if any.
- Send you a copy of the redemption statement(s).
- If applicable request a postponement of a second charge from a second lender.
- Receive a copy of the Mortgage Offer from your new lender.
- Write to any adults who occupy your property with a Consent to Mortgage Form (a standard lender requirement).
YOU
- Receive the Mortgage Offer from your new lender.
- If applicable supply information to your second lender for postponement of their charge.
WE
- Check the amount you propose to borrow (excluding any Cash Gift *) is sufficient to repay your existing mortgage(s). If not we will request the balance from you.
- Send you the Mortgage Deed for signature.
YOU
- Return the Mortgage Deed duly signed and witnessed.
- Send us the shortfall balance (if any).
WE
- Set a completion date.
- Carry out our final pre-completion searches.
- Request the funds to arrive the day before completion to ensure redemption funds reach your present lender (if any) on completion day.
WE: on completion
- Confirm completion has taken place and send you a completion statement.
- Redeem your existing mortgage(s) if any and if applicable complete the postponement of a second charge.
- Date the Mortgage Deed.
- Deal with registration of the mortgage at the Land Registry.
- Send any surplus funds to you by cheque or bank transfer.
YOU: on and following completion
- Double-check that your buildings and/or contents insurances are in order.
- Receive any surplus from us by cheque or bank transfer (optional).
- Receive notification from your new lender of the first payment.
YOU if applicable
- Receive from us any life policies sent to us by your former Lender if any and any Deeds sent to us which are not required by your new lender.

What work is not included within the Legal Fees of Woolliscrofts Solicitors?

Unless features such as those listed below are expressly highlighted to us at the time of Woolliscrofts being requested to provide details of our estimated Professional Charges and expressly included within the estimated pricing information provided to you at the outset of your matter, the following matters are illustrative examples the kind of factors which will not be included in the price provided to you by Woolliscrofts:

Not included
- Additional work involved in relation to Unregistered Property;
- Additional work involved in relation to Leasehold (as opposed to Freehold) property;
- Additional work involved in relation to Newly Built Property;
- Additional work related to property involving Shared Ownership;
- Additional Work related to requirements imposed by Mortgage Lenders;
- Additional Fees / Disbursements imposed upon us by your chosen Mortgage Lender and / or any Panel Management Company used by your Mortgage Lender;
- Additional work related to Gifted Deposits;
- Additional work related to Auctions;
- Assistance with Help to Buy ISA Declarations and Applications;
- Assistance with claiming refunds of Higher Rate Stamp Duty where appropriate;
Illustrative examples of the kind of other matters which will not be included within any initial Costs Estimate provided by Woolliscrofts are as follows:
- Additional work involved in dealing with any unforeseen issues related to Client Identification Verification and the like;
- Additional work related to unforeseen issues related to verification of the Source of Funds;
- Additional work related to any issues which may be identified with Legal Title to the property or other issues of relevance to the property which could deter a purchaser from proceeding to Completion upon the originally contemplated terms;
- Additional work related to unforeseen complexities arising;
- Additional work related to you failing to promptly provide information, documentation, instructions or funds requested from you by us and / or you failing to follow our advice;
- Additional work related to any assistance which you may ask us to provide in relation to the completion of documentation sent to you by us which we would generally expect our clients to complete themselves.
It is also extremely important that you appreciate that:
- Woolliscrofts Solicitors are not Surveyors – and so will not, for example, visit the property, assess the condition of the property or check that physical boundary features on the ground match those appearing on Title Plans / Documentation in our possession;
- Woolliscrofts Solicitors are not Accountants – as a consequence of which certain tax related issues may arise which do not fall within the expertise of Woolliscrofts Solicitors and / or the scope of your retainer with Woolliscrofts Solicitors;
- There are a multitude of issues which can arise as a result of Survey Reports, Search Results and the like which do not fall within the expertise of Woolliscrofts Solicitors and / or the scope of your retainer with Woolliscrofts Solicitors.
If any need arises for Woolliscrofts Solicitors to revise an earlier Cost Estimate previously provided to you would obviously be informed and of the reason(s) for that. Some of the situations mentioned above may be the subject of an additional Fixed Fee (some examples of which have been provided above) whereas other situations may give rise to the need for additional work to be undertaken and charged for upon the basis of an Hourly Rate.

How long will it take to complete my Residential Conveyancing transaction or Remortgage?

In view of the fact that Woolliscrofts Solicitors have five offices spread across Staffordshire and South Cheshire, the types and values of properties which our clients instruct us in respect of is very wide-ranging, as is the range of issues which case arise in the case of individual clients – as a consequence of which the length of time taken for matters to complete, and the costs involved can vary from case to case. For those reasons, Woolliscrofts Solicitors always invite prospective new clients to establish contact with us in order for them to be able to outline their particular circumstances and requirements to us and to enable us to provide an appropriate Costs Estimate tailored to the individual requirements of the client and the particular circumstances of their matter. Call our team now on 01782 204000 or, alternatively, send us a free no obligation enquiry.

As already indicated above, as no two matters are the same, the information provided below is of a general and indicative nature only.

In the case of property purchases

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your home will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8 to 10 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a First Time Buyer, purchasing a New Build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 to 10 weeks. However, if you are buying a Leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 4 months – and, in such a situation, additional charges would apply.
When selling a property
Mortgage Only or Remortgage Transactions

What can I do if I am dissatisfied with Woolliscrofts Solicitors?

Whilst we obviously very much hope that this will not become an issue, details of how to make complaints regarding Solicitors can be viewed by clicking here.

*VAT

VAT will, at the option of Woolliscrofts Solicitors, be charged at the rate prevailing either at the time of the relevant legal services being provided by Woolliscrofts Solicitors or at the time of our bill in respect of those services being raised.

CALL OUR TEAM NOW ON 01782 204000
Alternatively send us a free no obligation enquiry by e-mail.

Conveyancing & Property

SRA Transparency Information

SRA Transparency Rules

Who deals with Residential Conveyancing work at Woolliscrofts Solicitors?