In addition to your solicitor’s fees there are various other expenses (called disbursements).

These expenses will normally be the same whatever solicitor or conveyancer you instruct although, as set out below, we are often able to save you money by our arrangement with a national search provider.

This is a government tax on the transfer of property. The rates for residential property are as follows.

Properties up to and including £120,000 are exempt. This figure rises to £150,000 if the property is in a ‘disadvantaged area’.

We will advise you if this is applicable to your transaction. Thereafter the scale is:

From £125001 to £250,000 t - 1%

From £250001 to £500,000 - 3%

Over £500,000 - 4%

Please note that once a threshold has been passed the rate of charge is applicable to the whole of the consideration and not just that part that exceeds the particular level.

These are fees payable on the registration of your title with H M Land Registry.

For transactions under £500,000 these are between £40 and £220.

It is wise (and the requirement of any mortgage lender) that a local search is carried out on any property you buy.

The cost of this search with each Local Authority varies widely from about £100 to over £200 in some areas.

We have an arrangement with a national company to do personal local searches in any area of England and Wales for just £80.50. They are covered by £5 million insurance and are excepted by most mortgage lenders ( if not we shall have to do a normal local search). This saves you both time and money.

Additionally in some cases it is possible to effect Search Insurance which is considerably cheaper and has the added advantages that it is both quick and only needs to be effected on the point of exchange of contracts or completion. This is particularly advantageous in re-mortgage cases.

Other searches which you can have carried out include:

• Water or Drainage Search – This gives the route of the mains water and sewers and whether the property is connected.
• Environmental Search- This gives advise on any likely adverse environmental factors.
• Planning Report – Gives details of planning applications near the property.

These three searches are not a requirement of any mortgage lender and are optional.

We can advise you as to the advisability of have such searches carried out.

These are payable when the purchase money is transferred to the seller’s solicitors on completion.

This fee is normally £30 plus VAT.

Land Registry and Land Charges searches normally cost £10.

If you are in a coal mining area it is usual to carry out a coal mining search which cost around £35.

Normally the only item which will be added to your bill is the fee of £12 to obtain the copies of the entries at the Land Registry – known as office copy entries.

Often your mortgage company will ask that the mortgage monies are telegraphed to them to pay off the mortgage which will involve a Telegraphic Transfer Fee of £30 plus VAT although it will normally save you more than this amount in interest charges.

Please note that some Mortgage Companies charge you redemption penalties or fees especially if you have had the mortgage for only a short time. This will depend on the arrangements made when you took up the loan. Most major lenders now charge an administration fee when your loan is repaid.