Conveyancing Legal Fees

MJL81

Hi, I'm a first time buyer. I've been recommended a solicitor through the sellers estate agent. Initially bought into the 'we have a close relationship, can make sure it goes smoothly' line. The EA get a referral which is basically paid by me, the legal fee along is double the typical quotes I've for of around 340 for legal work. Total bill sits around 1,500 - 1,650 (inc. VAT). Had read previously to budget around £600 for conveyancing TOTAL. The legal fee alone looks to be 0.5% property value (legal fee is exc. VAT). I'm only a few days into the 14 day cooling off period, and they've had no instruction yet, but I'm concerned the EA will go to seller and advise they pull out if I don't use the conveyancer mentioned.

Note I've been pretty non-specific a their is a clause in the T&C's saying the rates are confidential commercially sensitive information which I can't share. As I'm not keeping an awesome deal close to my chest, it makes me question if they're keen to hide the less than impressive rates from those not first time buyers?

Contemptuous

I've just bought a house (FTB) and my legal costs were around £1300. I'm not sure where you've got the £600 figure from - I wish! Have you obtained quotes from other local firms?

amnblog

Please advise if freehold or leasehold, the first half of the postcode, and the purchase price, and we can give you an idea of the going rate.

nubbins

Depending on the purchase £600 is achievable , I would never use the EA's recommended solicitor as you are paying for the EA's nice little earner for the rec.

I used RMNJ for a BTL at 429K, they were pretty good apart from a little hiccup due to mail size's and zip files. Their headline figure of £349 obviously goes up a bit with "add-ons" but for £650 with the extras and VAT I thought they were very good. I think their headline fee goes down to £275 for properties 300k or lower.

Legal Fees £349 VAT £69.80 Tele Transfer Fee £40 ID Check £30 VAT £6 Mortgage Admin Fee £75 VAT £15 SDLT Completion Fee £50 VAT £10

Stamp Duty £11,450 Land Registry Reg Fee £135 Land Registry Search £3 Land Registry Bankruptcy Searcg £8 Search Fees £176.60

Jakg

You need more info.

I recently paid around £550-£600 + disbursements + stamp duty (£1,500) which was a good price.