The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires solicitors to provide detailed information as to the costs of certain services via our website. This includes residential property conveyancing.
The information we provide is either the average cost of the work or a range of costs, usually based on hourly rates, and any likely disbursements. Disbursements are costs that we incur on your behalf with third parties such as a local authority and which we re-charge to you in our bill.
In addition, we provide information about the solicitors and other fee earners who will manage your case, their qualifications and experience.
The information provided is based on our experience of the costs we charge for typical transactions or cases. Our actual charges may vary depending on the complexity of your matter and in cases where complications arise. We will give you a cost estimate at the outset of your matter, taking into account the actual circumstances of your case. We will also update our estimate if any complications arise which may have an impact on our costs.
In a straightforward transaction our fees depend on the value of the property; a guide those fees is set out below. If the transaction is unlikely to be straightforward (or turns out not to be) we will tell you as soon as possible let you know how much we think any extra charge will be. Any such extra charge will be based on the additional work we think will be needed. The hourly charging rates for those who might be involved in the transaction appear below.
We do not normally charge an extra fee for acting in connection with any mortgage but may do so if the lender is separately represented.
These fees will usually be subject to VAT at the standard rate.
The amount payable will depend on the purchase price and your personal circumstances, e.g. whether you have an interest in other property or are non-resident. We will calculate, and notify you of, the amount due at the appropriate time based on information which you provide to us. We will file the appropriate returns on your behalf and, provided that you put us in funds, we will pay the tax online by the due date. Which is usually 14 days after completion.
Our fees cover all the work required to complete a purchase of a residential property, including:
Our fees cover all the work required to complete a sale of a residential property, including:
Our fees cover all the work required to complete a re-mortgage of a residential property, including:
When you instruct us to act for you in a purchase we will, as required by our Regulator, give you a retainer letter and our Terms of Business.
The retainer letter will set out our best estimate at that time of the fee, as calculated above, together with the assumptions on which the estimate is based. The assumptions will vary depending on the circumstances but are likely to include:
As you can see fees will 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 have the specific documents before us.
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move into your house or flat will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes about 12 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are in a chain of several sales and purchases of houses of high value with or without mortgage finance it could take 16 weeks or more.
However, again as an example, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 months and (at the outside) 1 year. In such a situation additional charges would apply.
The fee-earners who work on our residential conveyancing matters include:
Karen Chapman, a Partner at Druces LLP. Karen is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with 30 years post qualification experience in residential and commercial property conveyancing. Karen’s charging rate is normally £420 per hour.
Parveen Abbas is a partner and Head of Residential Property. She has expert knowledge in all aspects of residential conveyancing including leasehold and freehold sales and purchases, re-mortgage transactions and transfers of equities. Parveen’s charging rate is normally £420 per hour.
Paul White, a Partner at Druces LLP. Paul is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales with over 25 years post qualification experience in Tax law, especially Stamp Duty Land Tax. Paul’s charging rate is normally £495 per hour.
Afsor Ullah is a Partner in Druces’ Real Estate team with a decade of experience advising UK and Middle Eastern clients on Islamic finance, property transactions, and Shariah-compliant structures. A recognised voice in the sector, he regularly contributes to industry commentary and mentors aspiring lawyers. Afsor’s normal hourly rate is £420 per hour.
Denielle Rickman, Of Counsel within Druces Real Estate team, specialises in residential and commercial property transactions, assisting clients both in the UK and internationally to acquire, dispose of and refinance assets. Denielle qualified as a solicitor in 2003 after studying law at Newcastle University. Denielle’s charging rate is normally £380 per hour.
Michelle Goodrum, a Senior Associate at Druces LLP. Michelle is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with over 5 years post qualification experience in residential and commercial property conveyancing, with a particular specialism in Leasehold Enfranchisement. Michelle’s charging rate is normally £350 per hour.
Katie Mear, a Senior Associate at Druces LLP. Katie is a solicitor qualified in England & Wales, with over 10 years post qualification experience in residential and commercial property conveyancing, with a particular specialism in Leasehold Enfranchisement. Katie’s charging rate is normally £350 per hour.
Ronak Bastani , a senior associate in Druces’ Real Estate team. She qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and joined Druces in 2023. A residential property specialist, Ronak has a wealth of real estate experience. Her clients include first time buyers and experienced property investors, developers and high net worth clients purchasing multi-million-pound homes in the prime central London market. Ronak’s charging rate is normally £350 per hour.
Karen Jenkins, an Associate at Druces LLP. Karen is a Legal Executive qualified in England & Wales, with over 15 years of residential conveyancing experience. Karen’s charging rate is normally £290 per hour.
All figures for fees and disbursements are exclusive of VAT which in the majority of cases will be charged in addition at the standard rate of 20%.
If you have any questions regarding this cost information, please contact:
Partner, Real Estate
Parveen is a partner and Head of Residential Property. She has expert knowledge in all aspects of residential conveyancing including leasehold and freehold sales and purchases, re-mortgage transactions and transfers of equities. Parveen prides herself on giving clear and straightforward explanations of the complexities of these transactions to her clients.
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