Conveyancing put simply is the transfer of land from one person to another. However the process can sometimes be lengthy and difficult.
At PD Lawyers we aim to take the mystery and frustration out of conveyancing and always speak to you in plain English!
We offer services in all aspects of conveyancing, be it a first time purchase, a buy to let investment or purchase of agricultural land.
We are not tied to any estate agent and can therefore provide you with independent advice catered specifically to your requirements.
We have a fixed tariff of Conveyancing fees giving you peace of mind at this often expensive time. Please see the information below.
You can get in touch with us through our contact page for a personalised fee estimate.
Alternatively please feel free to telephone or pop into our offices, where we will be happy to see you and talk through the cost and process involved.
What’s included in the conveyancing process
Our conveyancing lawyers will:
- Make sure that the property title is sound and verify the ownership.
- Check if the property is freehold or leasehold and advise accordingly.
- Draw up a contract of sale and send it to the buyer’s lawyer.
- Check for restrictive covenants or rights of way that could affect your plans for the property.
- Check that buildings and alterations have the correct planning permission, licences and warranties.
- Check that there are no debts owing against a property, and if there are that they are released before the property is transferred to you.
- Carry out local authority searches to make sure if there are zoning restrictions or any debts due.
- Check if there is a lease, and if so, check the lease conditions.
- Arrange for additional property searches, depending on the circumstances. These might including checking previous land use, whether the land is prone to flooding, if there are planned railway or motorway developments, whether medieval laws still require you to contribute to the local church and so on.
- Check mortgage documents.
- Ensure the deposit has been paid.
- Exchange contracts for you which makes the deal legally binding.
- Lodge an interest in the property so that the property cannot be sold to another.
- Calculate the final figure to pay.
- Arrange for the title to be transferred to the new owner’s name.
- Pay Stamp Duty Tax on your behalf.
- Lodge the title deeds with the Land Registry.
- Send a copy of the deeds to your mortgage lender.
Cost Information
Sale and purchase legal fees (for the Lancaster area) an additional fee may be charged if the property is out of the local area, please contact us for a detailed fee estimate
| Price (freehold) | Legal fees |
| up to £125,000 | £525+VAT =£630 |
| £125,001 – £275,000 | £575+VAT =£690 |
| £275,001 – £500,000 | £625+VAT =£750 |
| £500,000 – £750,000 | £750+VAT = £900 |
| £750,001 – £1,000,000 | £995+VAT = £1,194 |
Additional legal fees
Stamp Duty Land Transaction Return Admin £30+VAT= £36 (purchase only)
Telegraphic transfer / 3 day transfer Admin £10+VAT= £12
Leasehold property / Shared Ownership £175+VAT = £210
Freehold subject to an estate charge / service charge / rentcharge £175+VAT= £210
Dealing with third party solicitors £125+VAT = £150 (if you have a different solicitor/conveyancer acting for you in connection with a related sale, purchase or mortgage)
New Build £175+VAT= £210 (purchase only)
Gifted Deposit £125+VAT = £150 (purchase only)
Help to Buy Equity Mortgage £195+VAT= £234 (purchase only)
Help to Buy ISA / Lifetime ISA £50+VAT= £60 (per ISA) (purchase only)
Disbursements
(these are costs payable to third parties that relate to each transaction)
Local, Drainage and Environmental Searches approximately £255.91 (inc VAT) (purchase only in the local area) Please contact us for specific fees if buying out of the area
Land Registry fee from £20 upwards http://landregistry.data.gov.uk/fees-calculator.html
Stamp Duty https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax/#/intro
Bank telegraphic transfer fee £15+VAT = £18
Office copy register and plan £6 per title (sale only)
Office copy documents £3 per document
HM Land Registry search fees £2 per person
OS1 or OS2 search fees £3 per title
Stamp Duty Land Tax Application fee £4.80
Land Registry Application fee £4.80
Our estimated fees are based on your transaction proceeding in a straight forward manner in accordance with normal conveyancing practice. If however, there are any unusual or difficult circumstances or requirements by you, we reserve the right to revise our estimated fees. If this proves necessary we will discuss matters fully with you before committing you to the additional expense. In most cases no additional fees arise.
Should the transaction fail to proceed to completion for whatever reason, then our fees will be charged at up to 75% of the original estimate provided together with VAT and any disbursements.
It’s difficult to predict how long a transaction will take as it depends on many factors. The national average for buying or selling a home normally takes 2 to 3 months though the process can take longer if you’re part of a chain.
Read more
The Law Society: Buying a Home
Buying or Selling Your Home: gov.uk
