House sale costs and timescales
Sale of a freehold residential property
Our fees cover all of the work* required to complete the sale of your home. We do not charge extra for dealing with the mortgage unlike some firms.
Stages of the process
The following work is included in our charges:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Issue contract documents
- Obtain further planning documentation if required
- Respond to any necessary enquiries of buyer's solicitor
- Send final contract and transfer to you for signature or meet with you to witness your signature
- Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Complete sale
- Deal with payment of redemption of mortgage
- Deal with payment of estate agent fees
- Store your file at the end of the transaction in accordance with SRA guidelines
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Office Copies fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
* 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.
- 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.
- no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.
- It is not a new build property.
How long will my house sale take?
How long it will take from the offer being accepted until you can move out of your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 12 - 16 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if there is a first time buyer, purchasing a property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 6 - 8 weeks. However, if a party is buying a new build property, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.
Sale of a leasehold residential property
Our fees cover all the work* required to complete the sale of your home, We do not charge extra for dealing with the mortgage, unlike some firms.
To check out our charges for acting for you on the sale of a leasehold property use our online calculator and add on £120.00 including VAT. This assumes the lease is a standard lease with no unusual features. If the property is part of a retirement development, or is otherwise unusual, additional charges may apply.
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Office Copy Fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. There are certain disbursements which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The disbursements which we anticipate will apply are set out in the online calculator but for leasehold properties there are usually additional fees to pay as set out below*. This list is not exhaustive and other disbursements may apply depending on the term of the lease. We will update you on the specific fees upon receipt and review of the lease from the seller's solicitors.
- Management Pack fee* – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £100 - £300
*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 have sight of your specific documents.
You should also be aware that ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property.
Work included in our charges
The precise stages involved in the sale of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below are some key stages that are included in the work that we will do for you:
- Take your instructions and give you initial advice
- Issue contract documents
- Request management company sale pack and deal with requirements
- Obtain further planning documentation if required
- Respond to any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor
- Send final contract and transfer to you for signature or meet with you to witness your signature
- Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
- Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
- Complete sale
- Deal with payment of redemption of mortgage
- Deal with payment of estate agent fees
- Deal with payments associated with ground rent and/or service charges
- Store your file at the end of the transaction in accordance with SRA guidelines
* 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 assignment of an existing 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.
- no indemnity policies are required. Additional disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required.
- It is not a new build property
How long will my house sale take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move out of your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 12 - 16 weeks.
It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if there is a first time buyer, purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take 12 weeks. However, if you are selling a leasehold property that requires an extension or variation of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.