Search Fees for Manchester, High??

leew

Quick question.

I've been quoted £175 by my Solicitor for Searches in Manchester which i don't think is right.

Anyone know? had a quick look on http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/610/local_land_charges-personal_search/1904/local_land_charge_searches/3 but still £175 seems excessive.

Thoughts? i'll be ringing them tomorrow.

kingstreet

Where exactly is the property?

leew

kingstreet wrote: »

Where exactly is the property?

M23 postcode if that helps, Manchester.

kingstreet

It's definitely Manchester City Council then?

What's M23? Northenden/Baguley?

I was wondering if the property was maybe just across a border and you were looking at the wrong search fee. It doesn't sound like it.

Have they said that is just the local search fee, or could the environmental or some other additional search be included?

leew

kingstreet wrote: »

It's definitely Manchester City Council then?

What's M23? Northenden/Baguley?

I was wondering if the property was maybe just across a border and you were looking at the wrong search fee. It doesn't sound like it.

Have they said that is just the local search fee, or could the environmental or some other additional search be included?

Yes it is and it is Baguley.

They just mentioned Searches, i'll ring them tomorrow because that seems high to me ( no mention on original quote i've got)

leew

Heres my original quote.

Disbursements: stamp duty
exempt
local land charges fee
76
(Manchester Council)
HM Land Registry fee
200

Water & Drainage fee

(Utility bill)
Telegraphic transfer fee
(bank charges)
25

Official searches
16

Coal mining and brine search
(if required - 30)
Environmental search
(if required - 48)
Chancel preliminary search

(if required - 30)
Notice of Assignment, if any
(chief rent collector, if any)
???

£175? don't add up even if i wanted the optional ones ( i take it the if required means that)

kingstreet

You are being asked to pay a deposit of £175 to cover the searches. That doesn't mean the searches will actually cost that much. The firm probably set that at a figure which would cover most/all of its cases.

At completion, the deposit will be accounted for and if the searches don't add up to £175 the residue will offset the balance payment of fees, deposit etc.

You won't be losing out.

QBSBuck

I think that is a pretty reasonable estimate. I have paid £225 to cover mine.

leew

kingstreet wrote: »

You are being asked to pay a deposit of £175 to cover the searches. That doesn't mean the searches will actually cost that much. The firm probably set that at a figure which would cover most/all of its cases.

At completion, the deposit will be accounted for and if the searches don't add up to £175 the residue will offset the balance payment of fees, deposit etc.

You won't be losing out.

Correct kingstreet :T

He said the £175 will be taken for the searches and the extra will come off the final balance due.

I have another issue now though! he is asking for a service charge fee :huh: i have no idea what this is, he explained it's to do with the upkeep of the Gardens/grounds with it being a Leasehold property - it's a House though not a flat and the Gardens are Private so i've no idea what he's talking about!

Anyone know that one?

kingstreet

Your solicitor is presumably having to obtain information from the freeholder or a management company and there is often a charge for such information.

If you don't understand what your solicitor is telling you, ask him/her to explain it more clearly. You are paying for a service and you appear not to be getting it if you have to ask for clarification on an internet forum, of what you're being told.

leew

kingstreet wrote: »

Your solicitor is presumably having to obtain information from the freeholder or a management company and there is often a charge for such information.

If you don't understand what your solicitor is telling you, ask him/her to explain it more clearly. You are paying for a service and you appear not to be getting it if you have to ask for clarification on an internet forum, of what you're being told.

In fairness it was the Mrs who told me this bit about the Service charges/fee.

I shall find out more when i speak to her - just told us quickly over the phone.

Do you have an idea of how much this may be kingstreet?