Charges for Purchase of a Leasehold Residential Property

Our fees generally cover all 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 is in Wales. We will also usually have to notify the landlord/freeholder of your purchase following completion. These fees also apply to donors/giftors. This will usually require payment of additional administrative fees to them (see below):

• Conveyancer’s fees (our charges)

Property value:

Up to £300,000 from £1,100 plus VAT

£300,000 from £1,200 plus VAT

If your transaction should not proceed to completion for any reason a charge will be made based on how much work has been carried out. We do not work on a no completion no fee basis.

• Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. For leasehold property there are likely to be additional disbursements, and these will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller’s solicitors.

• • Bank transfer fee £2.50 (per transfer)
  • Lender’s Fee: some lenders will charge a fee. Where it is charged it is usually in the region of £42.00.
  • ID check £15.00 (plus VAT per person)

• Search fees

These can vary slightly by area and there may be additional search fees if there are particular local issues, or if it is a requirement of the lender. In most cases total search fees should not exceed £200 – £350 including VAT.

• HM Land Registry fees

These vary dependent upon the value of the property. Full details of up to date pricing can be found on HM Land Registry’s website at www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-service-fees#scale-1-fees. For most purchases the chargeable fee will be the fee shown in the column marked ‘Apply using the portal or Business Gateway for transfers or surrenders which affect the whole of a registered title.’ For ease of reference the majority of transactions attract a fee of £150.00.

• Anti-Money Laundering Check

We are required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to carry out anti-money laundering (AML) checks on all new and existing clients. This is charged at £7.20 per person.

Additional Anticipated Leasehold Disbursements

• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 – £300.
• Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 and £300 (or may be included in the Notice of Transfer fee above).
• Deed of Covenant fee – if required – this fee may be charged by the management company for the property. Often it is between £100 and £300.
• Certificate of Compliance fee – If required. To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease. Often it is between £100 and £300.

While it is unusual for separate fees for all of the above to be charged they vary from property to property, and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

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

• 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.

• Estimated Total

As shown, costs vary depending upon the purchase price and other factors, however, as a guide, the costs for someone who is purchasing a leasehold property for £250,000 with a mortgage, which is not their first property or an additional/buy to let property (as these factors will affect the Stamp Duty costs), and does not fall into any of the exceptions such as those shown here, would be:

1. 1. 1. Conveyancing Fees £1,100.00
      2. VAT on Fees £220.00
      3. Land Registry Fees £150.00
      4. Bank Transfer Fee £2.50
      5. Searches £300.00 (approx.)
      6. AML Fee £7.20
      7. Stamp Duty £2,500.00
      8. Lenders’ Fee £42.00
      9. Leasehold Fees £300.00 (approx. see above)
      10. ID Check £15.00

Total costs £4,636.70

• Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, in general the process will proceed through the following stages:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice including if necessary on joint ownership
• Verify your ID and carry out Anti-Money Laundering check
• Check finances are in place to fund purchase and contact lender’s solicitors if needed
• Review 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 including your mortgage offer
• Send documents to you for signature (or meet with you to do so)
• 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
• Obtain pre-completion searches
• Complete purchase
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Deal with notices and compliance certificates as prescribed by lease
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

• How long will my leasehold purchase take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in will depend on a number of factors. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. With leasehold property there is also management information to be obtained and reviewed and this can add to the time taken. The average process takes between 12-16 weeks. If an extension of the lease is required, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.