"Building soc. solicitor's fees" on mortgage redemption

jc292

We recently (2 weeks ago) moved house, and on our solicitor's completion statement noticed a charge (by the bank HSBC, not them) for about 172 pounds. This is for "building society solicitor's fees".

We were redeeming an HSBC mortgage, and taking out a new one from the same bank. Infact it was during a fixed rate - but because we were porting to a bigger loan there was no early repayment charge (have this in writing from them).

Is this normal? Or have we been stitched with a hidden "exit fee"? I would like to think we could claim it back but somehow I don't think we'll be that lucky!

Trying_to_be_good

THe bank will always have a fee for their solicitor's costs, they sometimes (normally?) get your solicitor to do their stuff, too. But if your solcicitor isn't on their approved panel, they may use their own.

All this should be detailed on the KFI for your new mortgage, I would think?

Slightly intrigued it says Building Society when HSBC is a bank, but assume this is your solicitor's slip up rather than HSBC's.

jc292

Thanks! I didn't see a solicitor's fee on the KFI for the new mortgage, and I'm sure we didn't pay one for taking the HSBC mortgage out last time. I do recall something in the old mortgage T&Cs about a deeds release fee but I thought that was for if we entirely paid the mortgage off ourselves - and it was "only" about 70 quid.

So I guess I chalk it up to expensive solicitors at HSBC? It would be good to hear if anyone had redeemed an HSBC mortgage without paying this level of fee as it seems quite high.

(Yes it did say building society fee - I think their mistake!)