Residential Conveyancing

Residential Conveyancing

Experienced advice for clients requiring support with residential conveyancing
Buying or selling a property typically involves a number of stages that must be completed satisfactorily to ensure a client’s legal and financial interests are fully protected. Our conveyancing team are highly experienced and can guide you through this process, making sure the sale is completed as promptly as possible whilst making sure you avoid the possible pitfalls.

As well as protecting your best interests, where a house purchase is funded through borrowing the lender will also seek the protection that a legal framework provides. Our experience in all aspects of conveyancing means we can progress these smoothly, efficiently and therefore cost-effectively on your behalf.

Whether it's for a sale or purchase, auction, remortgage or equity release… whatever conveyancing service you require, our team will be able to help. Our membership of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme is your further assurance that we have been independently accredited and approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority – an endorsement often stipulated by lenders and insurers.

Costs and Service Information

Prices
Please note that there will be two elements to the prices as set out below:
  1. Fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors; and
  2. Fees payable to third parties.
Please ensure that you consider both parts of the costs information.


Sale of a residential property
Legal Fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors
Property price range Legal fee VAT (20%) Total fee
£300,000.00 or less £750.00 £150.00 £900.00
£300,000.01 – £600,000.00 £850.00 £170.00 £1020.00
£600,000.01 - £700,000.00 £950.00 £190.00 £1,140.00
£700,000.01 or more POA POA POA
Additional fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors
Chargeable service Fee VAT (20%) Total fee
Bank transfer fee £35.00 £7.00 £42.00
Electronic identity check £25.00 per person £5.00 per person £30.00 per person
Postages and telephone charges £25.00 £5.00 £30.00
Leasehold property additional enquiries £250.00 £50.00 £300.00
Discharge of more than one mortgage/ legal/ loan fee £100.00 per additional mortgage/ legal charge/ loan £20.00 per additional mortgage/ legal charge/ loan £120.00 per additional mortgage/ legal charge/ loan
Fee for arranging indemnity policies if needed (e.g. because you do not have all of the paperwork required by the buyer or there is a defect in the title to the property) £65.00 per policy needed £13.00 per policy needed £78.00 per policy needed
Administration Fees £50.00 £10.00 £60.00
Fees payable to third parties (disbursements) 
Description of Disbursement Fee VAT (20%) Total
Land Registry Official Copies £6.00 £1.20 £7.20
Leasehold sales only:
Sale pack from management company/ Landlord Fees for sale packs vary considerable between management companies/ landlords and can be up to a few hundred pounds.
Work included and key stages
The precise work and stages involved in the sale of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, we have set out the key stages involved in a typical sale transaction:
  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
  • Check the title of the property you are selling.
  • Prepare documents, the contract of sale and deeds relating to your sale.
  • Dealing with questions and enquiries raised by your buyer(s)’ solicitors.
  • Reporting and providing information to you relating to the property you are selling.
  • Exchanging contracts following any necessary negotiations on the terms.
  • Approving the transfer deed from the buyer(s)’ solicitors.
  • Completing your sale and accounting to you for the proceeds or receiving from you any monies required to complete the sale.
  • Dealing with all post-completion matters, particularly repaying any outstanding mortgages or loans. 

Services excluded
Our service will not include any of the following:
  • Advice on the value of the property.
  • A physical inspection of the property.
  • Advice on any planning implications unless instructed to do so which may be subject to additional charges.
  • Checks on the property to ensure that it has been built in accordance with any planning permissions granted.
  • Advice on any search result findings that identify contaminated land, fracking sites or other environmental issues.
  • Advice on tax or other accounting matters.
Approximate/ average timescales
How long it will take from the date you instruct your solicitor until the sale is completed, will depend on a number of factors. However, the average process takes around 6 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower depending on the parties in the chain and the efficiency of third parties involved in the sale such as the buyer’s solicitors, the solicitors representing other buyers and sellers in the chain, your buyer’s bank if they are taking out a mortgage, search providers and the relevant local authority to conduct your buyer’s local search. 

Factors that could increase costs
In some circumstances we may increase our fees to account for additional time, work or skill required to meet your instructions. Examples include:
  • If there is a defect in the property title which requires remedying prior to completion.
  • If we are required to discharge more than one mortgage or loan on the property.
  • If we are required to obtain retrospective approval to any alterations to a property or obtain an insurance indemnity policy in relation to any problem concerning the transaction.
  • If a chief rent or ground rent is payable and you do not provide an up to date rent receipt.
Purchase of a residential property
Legal Fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors
Property price range Legal fee VAT (20%) Total fee
£00.00 - £300,000.00 £750.00 £150.00 £900.00
£300,000.01 – £600,000.00 £850.00 £170.00 £1,020.00
£600,000.01 - £700,000.00 £950.00 £190.00 £1,140.00
£700,000.01 or more POA POA POA
Additional fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors
Chargeable service Fee VAT (20%) Total fee
Bank transfer fee £35.00 £7.00 £42.00
Electronic identity check £25.00 per person £5.00 per person £30.00 per person
Postages £30.00 £6.00 £36.00
Administration Fees £50.00 £10.00 £60.00
First Time Buyer Fee £100.00 £20.00 £120.00
Fees payable to third parties (disbursements) 
Description of Disbursement Fee VAT (20%) Total
Bankruptcy Search £2.00 (per person) £0.40 £2.40 (per person)
Pre-Completion Search for registered property £3.00 (per registered title) £0.60 £3.60 (per registered title)
Searches In the region of £300.00
Stamp Duty Land Tax Dependent on property value and type of buyer you are. Please visit https://www.stampdutycalculator.org.uk/ to calculate your fee. **
Land Registry fee Dependent on property value and property type. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees to calculate your fee. **
Leasehold sales only:
Notice of Assignment fee to freeholder and/or managing agent *** Fees for vary considerable between freeholders/ management agents and can be up to a few hundred pounds.
* The number and nature of searches that you will require may vary depending on the property and/or any mortgage lender.
** We will be able to confirm your exact fee once we have specific information about your purchase.
*** These fees vary from property to property. We can give you a more accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents. You should also be aware that ground rent and service charges are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property.
Work included and key stages
The precise work and stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, we have set out the key stages involved in a typical purchase transaction:
  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
  • Check finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact the lender's solicitors if needed.
  • Receive and advise on contract documents.
  • Carry out searches.
  • Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor.
  • Give you advice on all documents and information received.
  • Go through the conditions of mortgage offer with you.
  • Check the title of the property and prepare the document to transfer ownership to you.
  • Send the final contract to you for signature and ask you to pay the agreed deposit to us so that contracts can be exchanged.
  • Agree a 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 the lender (if applicable) and you.
  • Complete purchase.
  • Deal with payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax.
  • Deal with application for registration at Land Registry.
  • Notify you and your lender (if applicable) of registration once confirmed. 
Services excluded
Our service will not include any of the following:
  • Advice on the value of the property.
  • Advice on the suitability of your mortgage or any other financial arrangements.
  • A physical inspection of the property.
  • Advice on any planning implications unless instructed to do so which may be subject to additional charges.
  • Checks on the property to ensure that it has been built in accordance with any planning permissions granted.
  • Advice on any search result findings that identify contaminated land, fracking sites or other environmental issues.
  • Advice on tax (other than SDLT) or other accounting matters.
Approximate/ average timescales
How long it will take from instructing your solicitor until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors. However, the average process takes around 6 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower depending on the parties in the chain and the efficiency of third parties involved in the purchase such as the seller’s solicitors, the solicitors representing other buyers and sellers in the chain, your bank if you are taking out a mortgage, search providers and the relevant local authority to conduct your local search. 

Factors that could increase costs
In some circumstances we may increase our fees to account for additional time, work or skill required to meet your instructions. Examples include:
  • If your lender makes detailed instructions requiring us to deal with matters other than those relating to the title to the property.
  • If your lender instructs another conveyancer to act for them.
  • If the lender requires anything other than a simple certificate of title (a simple certificate of title is standard with most lenders) in order to send the mortgage funds to our firm. 
  • If a trust document is required.
  • If there is a defect in the property title which requires remedying prior to completion.
  • If the transaction requires a new lease to be granted rather than an assignment of an existing lease.
Remortgage of a residential property
Legal Fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors
Property price range Legal fee VAT (20%) Total fee
£00.00 - £500,000.00 £595.00 £119.00 £714.00
£500,000.01 – £1,000,000.00 £995.00 £199.00 £1,194.00
Additional fees charged by HT Legal Solicitors
Chargeable service Fee VAT (20%) Total fee
Bank transfer fee £35.00 £7.00 £42.00
Electronic identity check £25.00 per person £5.00 per person £30.00 per person
Postage and telephone charges £30.00 £6.00 £36.00
Fees payable to third parties (disbursements) 
Description of Disbursement Fee VAT (20%) Total
Search fees (if required by your lender)* In the region of £300.00
Land Registry search £3.00 £0.60 £3.60
Land Registry office copies £6.00 £1.20 £7.20
Bankruptcy searches £2.00 per person £0.40 £2.40 per person
Land Registry Fee ** Dependent on property value and property type. Please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees to calculate your fee. **
* The number and nature of searches that you will require may vary depending on the property and/or any mortgage lender.
** We will be able to confirm your exact fee once we have specific information about your mortgage/ remortgage.
Work included and key stages
The precise work and stages involved in the mortgage or remortgage of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, we have set out the key stages involved in a typical mortgage/ remortgage transaction:
  • Take your instructions and give you initial advice.
  • Obtaining your title deeds.
  • Checking the title of your property.
  • Carrying out a Local Authority search if required by your lender.
  • Acting on your mortgage lender’s instructions.
  • Explaining the terms of your mortgage to you.
  • Preparing the mortgage and other documents and obtaining your signature to them where appropriate.
  • Reporting to the mortgage company and obtaining the mortgage advance.
  • Completing the remortgage. This is the date when the old mortgage will be repaid and the new mortgage will commence.
  • Registering the transaction with the Land Registry.
  • Forwarding the title documents to the mortgage company and accounting to you for any money held on your behalf.
Services excluded
Our service will not include any of the following:
  • Advice on the value of the property.
  • Advice on the suitability of your mortgage or any other financial arrangements.
  • A physical inspection of the property.
  • Advice on any search result findings that identify contaminated land, fracking sites or other environmental issues.
  • Advice on tax (other than SDLT) or other accounting matters.
Approximate/ average timescales
The length of time that it will take to complete your mortgage or remortgage will depend on a number of factors. However, the average process takes around 2 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower depending on the parties in the chain and the efficiency of third parties involved in the mortgage or remortgage such as your lender, search providers and the relevant local authority to conduct your local search if required. 

Factors that could increase costs
In some circumstances we may increase our fees to account for additional time, work or skill required to meet your instructions. Examples include:
  • If your lender makes detailed instructions requiring us to deal with matters other than those relating to the title to the property.
  • If your lender instructs another conveyancer to act for them.
  • If the lender requires anything other than a simple certificate of title (a simple certificate of title is standard with most lenders) in order to send the mortgage funds to our firm. 
  • If a trust document is required.
  • If there is a defect in the property title which requires remedying prior to completion.

Qualifications and experience of our team

Our residential conveyancing team includes:
Name Position Experience
David Nuttall Head of Conveyancing. Solicitor | Director David qualified as a solicitor in 1980 and is a Director at the firm. David is the head of the conveyancing team, with extensive experience of all types of residential conveyancing, including sales and purchases and has dealt with many “new build” houses and apartments. David achieves a very high level of client satisfaction, retention and referrals and is both exceptionally thorough and organised - key attributes for a conveyancing solicitor. David has good relations with local estate agents and liaises closely with site offices on new build properties, with the aim of ensuring all property transactions proceed as smoothly as possible.
Tony Carter Solicitor | Director Tony qualified as a solicitor in 1990 and is a Director of the firm.Tony has more than 30 years’ experience in both residential and commercial conveyancing across the spectrum. Transactions have ranged from individual houses through to factories, office buildings, complex portfolio acquisitions and also includes property lease-backs for a number of high street retailers.
Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by David Nuttall, the Head of Conveyancing.

Property sale & purchase

Helping you navigate though a property sale or purchase
Whether selling or buying a property we know what’s likely to cause you the greatest stress – so do our best to smooth them out. 
Most clients want a thorough, but speedy transaction. And whilst many of the processes involved cannot be avoided or involve other parties in the chain, our team will keep on top of these for you to minimise unnecessary delays. We will also keep you fully informed at all stages.
Whilst most transactions are straightforward, your lawyer may sometimes identify technical issues that have to be considered and possibly addressed. We will advise you on these and explain clearly how and why they may affect your conveyance, and the courses of action available. 
Transaction costs and fees are something that most clients are understandably keen to know about from the start. We have a clear and transparent fee structure and will discuss these with you before you ask us to act for you or make any commitment.
We try to make what is a fairly simple process as easy and as smooth as possible, with a friendly, open approach to help you complete quickly and effortlessly. 

Remortgages

Helping you to raise capital or save money with a remortgage
Whilst changing lenders may incur time and cost, the main reason for remortaging is to save money – and in some cases this can be a considerable saving. 
Our clients are typically looking to take advantage of better rates with other lenders, reduce monthly outgoings, raise capital or simply move to a more flexible mortgage they may not previously have been eligible for.
Whatever your reason, our team of experienced lawyers can provide sound advice on the pros and cons of changing lender. We can then help you evaluate the offers from different lenders and guide you on the options available – as well as the likely costs – so you can make a fully informed decision.
Should you decide the benefits outweigh the costs, we will help smooth the process and liaise with your current and new lender in the conveyance – removing the original lender’s legal interest on your property and transferring this to the new one. 
We aim to be totally transparent about the costs involved – in most cases we can offer a fixed fee including disbursements – and our friendly and knowledgeable staff will keep you fully updated as your remortgage progresses.

Equity transfer & release

Helping you manage the capital tied up in your property
Any change to the legal ownership of your property will normally constitute an equity transfer, which will usually require the consent of your current lender. This may typically occur for tax planning purposes or in the case of marriage or divorce when you want to add or remove someone from the legal register. As these transactions often involve other parties, it is important they are handled sensitively - executing your wishes whilst fully protecting your interests.
Equity release – where you may look to unlock some of the capital tied up in your property, without actually selling your home – may be a good option if you wish to raise capital, but one needing careful consideration. Our lawyers have the technical knowledge and experience to provide you with objective advice to help decide if this is the best option for you.
Whether it is a transfer or a release we can then support you through all the legal processes, which in the case of property can involve conveyances, deeds of transfer, Land Registry and various post-completion formalities. As property is so often your greatest asset, it is important this is undertaken carefully and thoroughly to fully protect your interests. 

Lease extensions

Helping you extend the lease on your property
One of the key areas our residential conveyancing team are now involved in is lease extensions. As a residential leaseholder you may have the statutory right to extend the lease on your property, however this has to be done within a legal framework.
Your lawyer can assess your eligibility, explain the processes and advise on the benefits and costs. Should you wish to proceed, we will arrange valuations, serve any statutory notices and even negotiate with the freeholder (landlord) on your behalf, if needed. 
Because the terms of a lease extension have to reflect those of the original lease - which in most cases are ‘bespoke’ to the landlord/property – there is rarely an ‘off the shelf’ solution so each has to be drafted accordingly. The experience of our team, however, means that this can be done smoothly and cost-effectively, whilst we of course provide clients with a fee estimate before any costs are incurred.
In almost all cases we are able to negotiate a satisfactory conclusion without going to a Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT), however should this be necessary we will act on your behalf to support your claim. 

Trust deeds

Helping you hold a property on trust for someone else
There are occasions when the owner of a property may need to hold the legal title ‘on trust’ for another person or persons who, for various reasons, may not be able to register a legal title as the joint owner. This may occur when a couple are cohabiting or where a family member or other third party have provided financial support.
In these cases, the legal title does not reflect the ownership and it may be that the owners have different financial interests in the property or different shares in the equity.
A simple Trust Deed can ensure that the rights and financial interest of all parties are protected in the event of a sale or disposal. Our team are experienced in drawing up Trust Deeds and can offer advice on how to create a framework that reflects the property ownership and how the proceeds of any sale should be divided. 

Tenant services

Helping protect your interests as a commercial tenant
If you are a tenant of a commercial property or considering taking on a commercial lease, our experienced commercial team can offer advice and legal support that will help you avoid unreasonable charges, liabilities or responsibilities that may be included in your contract. Not only can these prove costly now or in the future, but also severely restrict your flexibility to undertake certain activities, extend or assign or even terminate your lease.
HT Legal solicitors are experts in commercial property leasing and offer a very cost-effective service that could save you the frustration of complying with restrictive lease terms or the time and cost of contesting them.
Taking advice at an early stage can help you avoid problems down the line. We will go through your draft contract in fine detail and alert you to the possible consequences of any obligations or restrictions being included. In many cases these may be withdrawn or reduced, whilst contractual additions can be proposed that may enhance your future flexibility.
As well as offering pragmatic advice and legal support we can negotiate on your behalf to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Email to contact a member of our team.
Your initial half hour consultation is without charge to help you choose your legal representation without pressure or obligation.

For residential conveyancing services including setting up trust deeds, buying, selling, leasing and letting, call us on

Share by: