a freehold house for £95k with no chain and first time buyer = £1200 conveyancing?

chesneyoctopus

It is very expensive, considering that you will only have an unqualified "case handler" rather than a solicitor handling the case!

Ash87

Thanks everyone for the responses, even if they are kind of mixed it definitely encourages me to get a couple more quotes before going for this one (this one was indeed recommended by my estate agent however I don't think they are getting commission as they didn't mention it until I specifically asked if they would recommend any)

I will get some more quotes. Is there a list somewhere of reputable solicitors particularly those near hertfordshire/bedfordshire/northamptonshire areas or can anyone make any recommendations please?

Fire_Fox

No really, the estate agent will be getting a kickback! Ask neighbours, colleagues, friends or relatives for a recommendation.

Richard_Webster

It is very expensive, considering that you will only have an unqualified "case handler" rather than a solicitor handling the case!

Not a great fan of PPL but I do have e-mail addresses for the people I have dealt with and quite a number are solicitors and legal executives - this is where they are slightly better than another large national set up that I won't name where they don't like using e-mail.

I am posting this because I believe in being fair.

propertyman

Your fees are £574 plus VAT

The rest are disbursements and expenses.

Is the £574 expensive..... I cannot recall seeing anything less than £300.

FTBFun

Richard_Webster wrote: »

Not a great fan of PPL but I do have e-mail addresses for the people I have dealt with and quite a number are solicitors and legal executives - this is where they are slightly better than another large national set up that I won't name where they don't like using e-mail.

I am posting this because I believe in being fair.

I used PPL in 2010 (not recommended by the EA, I got a bunch of quotes) and found their service very good. The lady I dealt with was a solicitor.

I had previously rang a local firm to request a quote and they never even got back to me. So its not as black and white as online=bad, local=good.

Ash87

Well, doing a quick search on moneysupermarket for a quote I was pointed to this one - I cannot see what fees are missing from this one that are on the PPL one costing £400 more?

Here is this quote:

Solicitor Firm: Latimer Lee

Cost (exc.VAT)
Legal Fee (fee for handling of case) £330.00
VAT @ 20% £66.00

Disbursements Cost (no VAT/VAT inc.)
Land Registry Fee £120.00
Stamp Duty Fee £0.00
Telegraphic transfer £13.20
Bankruptcy Search (per person) £2.00
Environmental search £55.20
HMLR final search £4.00
Local Authority Search £93.00
Drainage and Water Search £25.20
Chancel Search £18.00
Electronic ID Checks £6.00

Total Cost £732.60

ijrwe

My total legal and related fees on a 90k property are over £1100, which is basically what all my quotes came to. The mortgage lender did offer something around 850-900£ but by then I'd chosen my solicitors.

Catti

Ash87 wrote: »

Well, doing a quick search on moneysupermarket for a quote I was pointed to this one - I cannot see what fees are missing from this one that are on the PPL one costing £400 more?

Here is this quote:

Solicitor Firm: Latimer Lee

Cost (exc.VAT)
Legal Fee (fee for handling of case) £330.00
VAT @ 20% £66.00

Disbursements Cost (no VAT/VAT inc.)
Land Registry Fee £120.00
Stamp Duty Fee £0.00
Telegraphic transfer £13.20
Bankruptcy Search (per person) £2.00
Environmental search £55.20
HMLR final search £4.00
Local Authority Search £93.00
Drainage and Water Search £25.20
Chancel Search £18.00
Electronic ID Checks £6.00

Total Cost £732.60

This sounds too low for them to make any money so I can't help but think that there will be hidden charges, probably for acting on a mortgage. Ask them specifically before accepting the quote.

ILW

Littleweedj wrote: »

Seems very expensive for a 95K property. You are correct in that stamp duty not applicable unless property over 125K.

I have been advised, by my solicitor. their fee for electronic transfer for my payment will be £12 therefore £75 seems excessive.

Why does the value of the property have any bearing?