Upfront Solicitor Costs

Danger_Mouse

Hi there,

Just in the early stages of buying my first house and I've had to change solicitors as the original firm were not on my mortgage lenders list of companies they work with.

My new solicitors gave me a quote but are now asking for an extra £300 upfront for 'cost on accounts' and to open my file.

Is this normal practice? my first solicitors never asked for this

Thanks,
Matt

Clutterfree

As soon as we instructed our solicitor we had to send them £275 in order to get searches underway, so yes I'd say it is completely normal.

Paully232000

Danger_Mouse wrote: »

Hi there,

Just in the early stages of buying my first house and I've had to change solicitors as the original firm were not on my mortgage lenders list of companies they work with.

My new solicitors gave me a quote but are now asking for an extra £300 upfront for 'cost on accounts' and to open my file.

Is this normal practice? my first solicitors never asked for this

Thanks,
Matt

I dont know whether it is normal practice, but both my solicitors for two house sales/purchases over the last few years have never asked for money upfront.

Both times, they completed the work and then a bill was generated at the end, including solicitors fees, EA fees, stamp duty etc

Nicolefury

We've just paid £350 straight away to start searches. Seems pretty normal and we just see it as £350 off the final bill.

Kynthia

You always pay for searches upfront as the solicitor has the pay them upfront.

Danger_Mouse

Thanks for the replies. Seems like some ask and others don't

It's not paying money upfront that I mind, it's the fact it appears to be an additional cost (not part of the quoted price)

elverson

Yes it's normal. The sale can fall through until you've exchanged so it covers their costs for arranging and reviewing the searches.

The £300 is not additional - it'll be deducted from your final bill.

marksoton

You need to check your contract but £300 for searches is normal.

nubbins

Danger_Mouse wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. Seems like some ask and others don't

It's not paying money upfront that I mind, it's the fact it appears to be an additional cost (not part of the quoted price)

Thats why researching and asking the right questions at the time of the quote is important.

CKhalvashi

Always been standard practice for me, too.

jbainbridge

Your quote should include a cost for searches. And that money you pay upfront should be deducted from your final bill (usually paid at completion).