Solicitor trying to charge more money after sale

Tiglet2

Prices for registration are based on the price the property sold for, for example if a property sold for £350,000, the Land Registry cost for this would be £135 for a normal "Transfer of Whole" by an electronic application.

However, if the solicitor has to make their application for registration by post, the cost is doubled to £270. If the application is a "Transfer of Part", this also will double the fee to £270. There are various fees listed on the Land Registry website for all kinds of variations. It is not apparent at the outset which is the correct fee for the property.

It would often be a fairly junior clerk who would provide the initial disbursement estimates. During the course of the transaction, these disbursements should be adjusted as and when new information comes to light. Sadly, this doesn't always happen and projections are sent out with the initial quote still listed. It might only be at the end of the transaction when the accounts department realise that there is a discrepancy and they have to work out where the discrepancy is. I think this is what happened to you. No, it's not very professional and you may have a case for complaint.

However the land registry fee is set by the government. If the solicitor does not have enough money on account to pay the land registry fee, then they do have to ask you to provide it. If you don't provide the shortfall, then your solicitor will not submit an application to register you as the new owner.