Adding partner to house deeds - question about solicitor fees

Wobble101

While recently getting our wills sorted out, the solicitor commented on the fact that our home is solely in my name (I bought it before I met my husband and never changed this as my salary is greater than his and sufficient when ever we have needed to remortgage). His advice was that things would be easier for my husband should I die if we were both on the deeds as he would not need to wait for probate before selling etc. We have a very small mortgage left which we expect to pay off in around two years (and already have c 90% equity in the value of the house). 
As I understand it (based on a quick chat with the mortgage company) I need to write to them to let them know my wishes, and give them the details of a solicitor to handle the instructions. I've had a quote from our solicitors for £800 plus VAT to do this, plus the land registry fee. 
Does anyone have any experience of this and know whether £800 sounds about right? It seems a lot to me for something that I'd seen as quite straightforward - but I am not a legal expert. Are there any other issues I should be aware of? 
Many thanks. 

sgun

Pay off the mortgage first and then you can do it yourself. Would that £800 not be better going into paying off the mortgage if all you have is 2 years left?

davidmcn

Wobble101 said:

things would be easier for my husband should I die if we were both on the deeds as he would not need to wait for probate before selling etc

Is he likely to be in a huge rush to sell the house immediately after you die? Getting probate isn't usually all that time-consuming unless there's something unusually complex about the estate, and he'd probably have to get probate anyway for the remainder of your estate.

AdrianC

Are you likely to die in the next two years?
If not, then get that mortgage paid off first. It'll make the change of ownership a lot easier, as well as saving a load of money in the lender expenses.

princeofpounds

Agree with Adrian - If there is no conveyancing for a mortgage on top of that between the two of you, then it becomes super-simple and should be cheaper again, even if you employ a solicitor.

Your solicitor is right - certain things will be faster/easier/clearer for your husband if they are a co-owner (you'll need to decide on joint tenants vs. tenants in common of course - a lot of that will depend on your intentions re inheritances, perhaps you discussed it earlier). But it's also quite possible that none of it will be that important, it's quite dependent on circumstances. 

Wobble101

Many thanks everyone, that is really helpful. I think we will wait - I’m only 54 and really hope I have more than a few years left! 

princeofpounds

For what it's worth, the price you quoted for the work in your current situation seems fairly normal, although it always depends what part of the country you're from.