Providing legal services to the people and businesses of Brentwood since 1850

Conveyancing


Here at Landons Our Residential Conveyancing team have extensive experience in delivering high quality work in all matters relating to Residential Conveyancing.  The team has particular expertise in buying and selling a property, new build sales and purchases, auction property, remortgaging, equity release, lease extensions, shared ownership, deed of trust, transfer of equity and first registrations.

As part of our service Landons would always ensure that you are provided with a dedicated and experienced Conveyancing Solicitor to work on your matter. At present, Coral Choppy-Mason and Andrew Liddell are actively working within the Conveyancing department.

Coral Choppy-Mason is a Director at Landons and she is the head of our Conveyancing team. Coral has over 11 years experience in Residential and Commercial Conveyancing. Coral has been working in this area since she qualified and has helped many individuals and businesses.

Costs and expenses can vary depending on clients circumstances, to be provided with a tailor made estimate please complete the Conveyancing Quotation Form and we will send a personal estimate to you.

Residential Sale Freehold

How much will it cost?

Our fees cover all the work* required to complete the sale of your property including dealing with and redeeming your existing mortgage.

Solicitor’s fees and disbursements

  • Legal fee

Our legal fees range from £1,050 + VAT (£1,260.00) for a property valued at £200,000.00

to £1,500 + VAT (£1800) for a property valued over £1 million.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees and Estate Agents Commission. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on other matters which may arise during your sale.

ItemAmount
Electronic money transfer fee  £35.00 + VAT (£42.00) per transfer
Office Copy Entries and Title Plan  £6
Official copy title documents  £3 per document
Estate Agents Commission  Variable

Potential Additional Costs

  • The property is unregistered                £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)
  • Repayment of Help to Buy Loan       £50.00 + VAT (£60.00)

How long will my house sale take?

How long it will take from accepting an offer on your property until you can move out depends on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-12 weeks.

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential freehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages below:

  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice
  • Draft and advise on contract documents
  • Drafting of additional Contract Packages for sale contract race
  • Prepare Epitome of Title on unregistered land if necessary
  • Prepare Statutory Declaration for Title rectification
  • Research and set up an Indemnity Policy for defective title or lack of planning consent/building regulations or covenant consent if required
  • Receiving additional enquiries from buyers solicitor and providing responses
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Prepare or approve a key undertaking
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from buyer
  • Complete the sale
  • Removal of each registered caution and or restriction notice

*Our fee assumes that:

  1. this 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
  2. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  3. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  4. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Residential Purchase of Freehold

How much will it cost?

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.

Solicitor’s fees and disbursements

  • Legal fee

Our legal fees range from £1,050 + VAT (£1,260.00) for a property valued at £200,000.00

to £1,500 + VAT (£1800) for a property valued over £1 million.

  • Fee for acting on behalf of mortgage lender £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)
  • Electronic money transfer fee £35.00 + VAT (£42.00)
  • Fee for completing and submitting Stamp Duty Land Tax Return £90.00 + VAT (£108.00)

Example: Estimated total based on a purchase price of £200,000.00: £1,530.00 (inclusive of VAT)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees and Estate Agents Commission. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on other matters which may arise during your sale.

ItemAmount
  Search fee (Local Authority, Drainage, Environmental & Chancel Searches)  £320.00**
Land Registry Priority Search Fee  £3.00
HM Land Registry Registration Fee  £95.00 ***
Bankruptcy Search  £2.00 per name

Grand estimated total based on a purchase price of £200,000.00 excluding Stamp Duty £1,950.00

Potential Additional Costs

Stamp Duty 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.

  • Mortgage Lender has instructed a separate solicitor to act for them    £250.00 + VAT (£300.00)
  • The property is unregistered   £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)
  • Purchase of a Newbuild £200.00 + VAT  (£240.00)
  • Purchase is with the assistance of the Help to Buy ISA  £50.00 + VAT (£60.00)
  • Help to Buy Scheme   £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)

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 8-12 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 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 5 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages are set out below:

  • 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
  • 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

*Our fee assumes that:

  1. this 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
  2. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  3. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  4. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

** This is an estimated figure and the actual amount payable will be individual to the property and dependable on the location of the property.

*** The Land Registry calculation is based on a purchase price of £200,000.00.  Please refer to the Land Registry Fee Calculator for an exact calculation you will need to pay.

Residential Sale Leasehold

How much will it cost?

Our fees cover all the work* required to complete the sale of your property including dealing with and redeeming your existing mortgage.

Solicitor’s fees and disbursements

  • Legal fee

Our legal fees range from £1,200 + VAT (£1,440.00) for a property valued at £200,000.00

to £1,750 + VAT (£2,100.00) for a property valued over £1 million.

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees and Estate Agents Commission. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on other matters which may arise during your sale.

ItemAmount
  Electronic money transfer fee  £35.00 + VAT (£42.00) per transfer
Office Copy Entries & Tile Plan  £12
Official copy title documents  £3 per document
Estate Agents Commission   Leasehold Sales Pack  Variable    Variable

Potential Additional Costs

  • The property is unregistered                £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)
  • Repayment of Help to Buy Loan       £50.00 + VAT (£60.00)

How long will my house sale take?

How long it will take from accepting an offer on your property until you can move out depends on a number of factors. The average process takes between 8-12 weeks.

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages are set out below:

  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice
  • Draft and advise on contract documents
  • Drafting of additional Contract Packages for sale contract race
  • Obtaining the leasehold pack containing all the relevant service charge, ground rent and buildings insurance information from the managing agent and/or freeholder and supplying this to the buyer’s solicitor
  • Prepare Epitome of Title on unregistered land if necessary
  • Prepare Statutory Declaration for Title rectification
  • Research and set up an Indemnity Policy for defective title or lack of planning consent/building regulations or covenant consent if required
  • Receiving additional enquiries from buyer’s solicitor and providing responses
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
  • Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
  • Prepare or approve a key undertaking
  • Arrange for all monies needed to be received from buyer
  • Complete the sale
  • Removal of each registered caution and or restriction notice

*Our fee assumes that:

  1. this 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
  2. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  3. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  4. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Residential Purchase of Leasehold

How much will it cost?

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.

Solicitor’s fees and disbursements

  • Legal fee

Our legal fees range from £1,250 + VAT (£1,500.00) for a property valued at £200,000.00

to £1,750 + VAT (£2,100.00) for a property valued over £1 million.

  • Fee for acting on behalf of mortgage lender £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)
  • Electronic money transfer fee £35.00 + VAT (£42.00)
  • Fee for completing and submitting Stamp Duty Land Tax Return £90.00 + VAT (£108.00)

Example: Estimated total based on a purchase price of £200,000.00: £1,662.00 (inclusive of VAT)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees and Estate Agents Commission. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on other matters which may arise during your sale.

ItemAmount
  Search fee (Local Authority, Drainage, Environmental & Chancel Searches)  £320.00**
Land Registry Priority Search  £3.00
HM Land Registry Registration Fee  £95.00 ***
Bankruptcy Search  £2.00 per name

Grand estimated total based on a purchase price of £200,000.00 excluding Stamp Duty £2,082.00

Anticipated Disbursements ****

  • Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease.
  • Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease.
  • Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate.
  • Certificate of Compliance fee – To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease.

You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information.

Potential Additional Costs

Stamp Duty 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.

  • Mortgage Lender has instructed a separate solicitor to act for them    £250.00 + VAT (£300.00)
  • The property is unregistered   £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)
  • Purchase of a Newbuild £200.00 + VAT  (£240.00)
  • Purchase is with the assistance of the Help to Buy ISA  £50.00 + VAT (£60.00)
  • Help to Buy Scheme   £100.00 + VAT (£120.00)

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 8-12 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 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 5 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a leasehold residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages are set out below:

  • 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
  • Review the leasehold pack containing all the relevant service charge, ground rent and buildings insurance information and reporting to you on the same
  • Review the lease
  • Comply with conditions of the lease i.e arrange a Deed of Covenant, serve notice on the freeholder
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received
  • Go through conditions of mortgage offer
  • Send final contract to you for signature
  • Draft Transfer
  • Advise you on joint ownership
  • Obtain pre-completion searches
  • 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

*Our fee assumes that:

  1. this 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
  2. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  3. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  4. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

** This is an estimated figure and the actual amount payable will be individual to the property and dependable on the location of the property.

*** The Land Registry calculation is based on a purchase price of £200,000.00.  Please refer to the Land Registry Fee Calculator for an exact calculation you will need to pay.

**** These fees vary from property to property.  We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

Residential Property Re-mortgage

How much will it cost?

Our fees cover all of the work* required to complete the re-mortgage of a residential property and are based on the value of the property.

Solicitor’s fees and disbursements

  • Legal fee

Our legal fees range from £550 + VAT (£660.00) for a property valued at £200,000.00

to £950 + VAT (£1,140.00) for a property valued over £1 million.

  • Electronic money transfer fee £35.00 + VAT (£42.00)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on other matters which may arise during your re-mortgage.

ItemAmount
  Residential No Search Indemnity Policy  Variable**
Land Registry Priority Search  £3.00
HM Land Registry Registration Fee  £30.00 ***
Bankruptcy Search   Office Copy Entries & Title Plan   Official Copy Document  £2.00 per name     £6.00-£12.00     £3.00 per document  

Potential Additional Costs

  • Notice of Charge Fee (if property is leasehold)

How long will my re-mortgage take?

How long it will take from your mortgage offer being accepted will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 3-6 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the various parties involved.

Stages of the Process

The precise stages involved in the re-mortgage your property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages below:

  • Take you initial instructions and give you initial advice.
  • Check your finances are in place to fund the re-mortgage if required.
  • Receive your title deeds.
  • Respond to the various searches and enquiries, and check results.
  • Receive mortgage offer from your lender.
  • Send the mortgage deed to you for signature and report to you on the mortgage.
  • Arrange the drawdown of the new loan.
  • Obtain an up-to-date redemption statement from existing lender.
  • Provide an account of any balance of funds.
  • Provide a Financial Statement and settle funds due or owed by you.
  • Register and conduct final Land Registry searches.

* Our fee assumes that:

  1. this 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
  2. the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise
  3. all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation
  4. no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.

** Some mortgage lenders will require a No Search Indemnity Policy and others will require full searches to be carried out.  However, we will know more once we receive your mortgage offer and we would discuss this with you.

*** The Land Registry calculation is based on a mortgage of £200,000.00.  Please refer to the Land Registry Fee Calculator for an exact calculation you will need to pay