Why choose us

Whether you are buying or selling your home or are a landlord or a tenant of a commercial property, you have the right to choose your own solicitor.

If you have been recommended a firm of solicitors by another service provider, such as an estate agent, mortgage lender or mortgage broker, you may wish to consider the following before making up your mind:

find out whether the person recommending the firm of solicitors and the solicitors have a referral fee arrangement between them
be certain that the solicitor you choose will act in YOUR best interests in the event of a conflict between you and the person making the recommendation
find out more about the quality of service that you will receive and not just the amount that you will be paying
find out who will actually carry out the work on your file on a daily basis
ascertain that your solicitor can always immediately tell you exactly how much money you have on account
take some time to decide and make up your own mind based on your own judgement and evaluation

Our Pricing and Transparency - Residential Conveyancing

The Solicitors Regulation Authority published new rules that make it mandatory for all regulated firms of solicitors to publish information on the prices they charge. In order to comply with these rules, we set out in this section the minimum price we charge and service we provide. We would like to be clear about these so as to avoid any misunderstandings.

We would like to ensure that our clients have as much as possible information to help them make an informed choice before they instruct us to act. It is important for us that our clients understand as soon as possible what legal costs and disbursements they may have to pay for our legal services.

We believe in direct personal contact with our clients, simplicity and honesty. Whilst our average conveyancing cost of service is £1,500 (plus VAT at the rate of 20%) per transaction, one size does not fit all. We do not use an online price generator and encourage all our clients to speak to Michael Shpaizer on 020 8944 0877 for a freindly, free and unobligated detailed information on our costs and disbursements. Michael will take the time to discuss and understand your specific requirements for the proposed transaction and he will then follow in writing to you with a detailed quote in a format that is accurate and easy for you to understand. The quote will specify what prices include VAT and what not. The quote will specify exactly what services are included within the price. We usually charge a fixed price per transaction and in the event that you require additional work, our hourly rate is £195 (plus VAT at the rate of 20%).

We set out below an example for purchase of a freehold residential property

Our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property you wish to buy is in Wales.

Our fees and disbursements:

The cost of legal fee starts from £1,450 (plus VAT at the rate of 20%) which includes acting on behalf of your mortgage lender
The costs of Local authority search, Drainage search and Environmental search depends on the locality as different local authorities charge between £200 and £500 including any VAT

The costs of Land Registry fee ranges from £80 to £910 as it depends on the actual purchase price and VAT is not charged.
Electronic money transfer fee £35 (plus VAT at the rate of 20%)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase) depends on the purchase price of your property. We can calculate the exact amount you will need to pay once we discuss and understand your position (for example whether or not you are a first time buyer or at the end of the day of the purchase you will have an interest in more than one property, etc) or you can calculate by using HMRC's website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website.

We will estimate the total costs and give you a clear understanding of the total cost of the transaction and the full funds you will need to complete it.

How long will your house purchase take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes about 6 weeks.

It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first-time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 8 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take longer, between 10 and 12 weeks. In such, a situation additional charges would apply.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, we set out below some key stages including:

Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
Checking your finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact your mortgage lender if needed
Receiving and advising on Contract and Title documents
Carrying out searches
Obtaining further planning documentation if required
Making additional enquiries of seller's solicitor if we consider it necessary
Giving you advice on all documents and information received
Going through your mortgage offer with you
Meeting with you to arrange for you to sign the Contract
Agreeing a completion date (date from which you could move into your new property) acceptable to your seller (and all other parties in the chain if applicable)
Obtaining pre-completion searches such as Land Registry search with priority and bankruptcy searches if you buy with a mortgage
Exchanging Contracts and notifying you that this has happened
Arranging for all monies needed to be received from your mortgage lender and you
Completing the purchase
Dealing with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
Dealing with application for registration at Land Registry
Sending to you any relevant documents for safe-keeping

We set out below an example for purchase of a leasehold residential property

Our fees and disbursements:

The cost of legal fee starts from £1,450 (plus VAT at the rate of 20%) which includes acting on behalf of your mortgage lender
The costs of Local authority search, Drainage search and Environmental search depends on the locality as different local authorities charge between £200 and £500 including any VAT

The costs of Land Registry fee ranges from £80 to £910 as it depends on the actual purchase price and VAT is not charged.
Electronic money transfer fee £35 (plus VAT at the rate of 20%)

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

Anticipated Disbursements:

Notice of Transfer fee is likely to be payable to the Landlord or the Managing Agents – usually the amount payable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 and £250 including any VAT. In due course, we obtain this information from the seller's solicitors and let you know the exact amount payable.
Notice of Charge fee (if you are buying with a mortgage) is likely to be payable to the Landlord or the Managing Agents – usually the amount payable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 and £250 including any VAT. In due course, we obtain this information from the seller's solicitors and let you know the exact amount payable.
Deed of Covenant fee may be payable to the Landlord or the Managing Agents – this information will be provided by the seller's solicitors or the management company for the property. Usually it is between £150 and £450 including any VAT.
Certificate of Compliance fee may be payable to the Landlord or the Managing Agents – in due course, we will obtain the relevant information from the seller's solicitors and let you know if this is required and if so, the exact amount payable. Usually it is between £150 and £450 including any VAT.

These fees vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we received and considered the specific documents relating to your proposed purchase.

You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will let you know the exact amount of ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information.

We will estimate the total costs and give you a clear understanding of the total cost of the transaction and the full funds you will need to complete it.

How long will your house purchase take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes about 6 weeks.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, we set out below some key stages including:

Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice
Checking your finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact your mortgage lender if needed
Receiving and advising on Contract and Title documents
Checking the Lease
Carrying out searches
Obtaining further planning documentation if required
Making additional enquiries of seller's solicitor if we consider it necessary
Giving you advice on all documents and information received
Going through your mortgage offer with you
Meeting with you to arrange for you to sign the Contract
Agreeing a completion date (date from which you could move into your new property) acceptable to your seller (and all other parties in the chain if applicable)
Obtaining pre-completion searches such as Land Registry search with priority and bankruptcy searches if you buy with a mortgage
Exchanging Contracts and notifying you that this has happened
Arranging for all monies needed to be received from your mortgage lender and you
Completing the purchase
Dealing with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
Dealing with application for registration at Land Registry
Dealing with application for registration with your Landlord or the Managing Agents
Sending to you any relevant documents for safe-keeping

Our fee assumes that:

this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example (but not limited to) a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion or the preparation of additional documents ancillary to the main transaction;
this is the transfer of an existing registered lease and is not the grant of a new lease;
the transaction is concluded in a timely manner and no unforeseen complication arise;
all parties to the transaction are co-operative and there is no unreasonable delay from third parties providing documentation; and
no indemnity policies are required. If indemnity policies are required and will let you know and advise on the additional disbursements that may apply.