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When do you pay solicitor's fees?

Cant get a clear answer from my solicitor- whed do I pay his fees: on exchaneg or when completing?
On exchange I transfer him my deposit and stamp duty, right? and when do i pay for all searches and service and land registry?


Many thanks!
«1

Comments

  • Just goin through the process at the moment. I have been told that the his bill will be the first mail that will come through the letter box on my new house
    Starting Mortgage of £133,000 in Dec
    Wish me luck
    Target £120,000 by 12/12/12
  • amalis
    amalis Posts: 532 Forumite
    Just goin through the process at the moment. I have been told that the his bill will be the first mail that will come through the letter box on my new house

    oh, thats good news!
    it is important for me to know because we are very tight on money and as between exchange and completing can be about a month gap it would give us a possibility to save money on solicitor. We were afraid we have to pay it on exchange.
  • chickmug
    chickmug Posts: 3,279 Forumite
    Solicitor will prepare a 'Completion Statement' at or just after 'Legal Completion' and take the amount he is owed from the proceeds of sale or from the money you have lodged with him. The amount should include all the disbursments they have incurred on your behalf.
    A retired senior partner, in own agency, with 40 years experience in property sales & new build. In latter part of career specialising in commercial - mostly business sales.
  • miggiwoo
    miggiwoo Posts: 580 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    amalis wrote: »
    Cant get a clear answer from my solicitor- whed do I pay his fees: on exchaneg or when completing?
    On exchange I transfer him my deposit and stamp duty, right? and when do i pay for all searches and service and land registry?


    Many thanks!

    We're just buying at the moment and had a letter from our solicitors asking for a £300 cheque for disbursements.Bought our last house 9 years ago so cant exactly remember when balance is due etc.
    Maybe the £300 for disbursements includes some searches ?
    The truth shall set you free.....................
  • I got the bill the day after I recieved the keys to my new place.
  • Soot2006
    Soot2006 Posts: 2,184 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    We paid it at the same time as the rest of our deposit required for completion ...
  • amalis
    amalis Posts: 532 Forumite
    Soot2006 wrote: »
    We paid it at the same time as the rest of our deposit required for completion ...

    oh, so it depends on solicitor when he wants you to pay? :confused:
  • RTNI
    RTNI Posts: 817 Forumite
    Soot2006 wrote: »
    We paid it at the same time as the rest of our deposit required for completion ...

    I have to do the same; we are due to complete on 4th September and the solicitors fees are to paid with the balance before we get the keys.
    Regards, Robin.
    2011 MFW # 34
    Mortgage starting balance at Sept 09 - £127,224 on 30 year term. Currently balance approx £116,945 (Updated Jan '12)
    Estimated MFD - [STRIKE]Sept 2039[/STRIKE]
    , April 2031 (in progress!)
  • dz6kb4
    dz6kb4 Posts: 40 Forumite
    what about if i instruct my solicitor now, as I have my mortgage offer, but the place wont be built until early next year...when do i pay??

    thanks alot.
  • Soot2006
    Soot2006 Posts: 2,184 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    dz6kb4 wrote: »
    what about if i instruct my solicitor now, as I have my mortgage offer, but the place wont be built until early next year...when do i pay??

    thanks alot.

    Afaik you can't get a formal mortgage offer unless the property is built?
    The survey & valuation are an integral part of the formal mortgage application ...
    What you have is likely to be an agreement in principle. The "in principle" stands for subject to ... (e.g. status, valuation, etc etc etc etc)!!

    Someone will correct me if I'm wrong!!
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