Solicitor for Selling a House

How much are solicitors’ fees for selling a house?

My fee for selling a home is fixed, and it is published on the Fees page, shown plus VAT and including VAT.

An additional fee applies if the property is leasehold, and disbursements, which are payments to other organisations, such as the identity check and the bank transfer charge, are also listed on the Fees page. Your estate agent’s fee is separate and is not part of my fees.

How long does it take to sell a house?

As an estimate, 6 to 12 weeks for the legal work, from the agreed sale to completion. This is an estimate, not a promise. It depends on things outside my control, such as the chain, the buyer’s mortgage and the buyer’s solicitor.

The time it takes to find a buyer is a separate matter for you and your estate agent.

When should I instruct a solicitor to sell my house?

As soon as you decide to sell. You do not need to wait for an offer. If you instruct me early, the identity checks and the property forms can be done before a buyer is found, so the contract pack is ready to send when the sale is agreed.

What documents do I need when selling a house?

The main ones are:

• the property information form (TA6) and the fittings and contents form (TA10), which I send you to complete online;
• for a leasehold flat, the leasehold information form (TA7) and any documents you have from the landlord or managing agent;
• guarantees and warranties, for example for windows, damp-proofing or a boiler;
• planning permissions and building regulations certificates for any work done while you have owned the property;
• details of your mortgage, so that I can obtain the figure needed to pay it off on completion.

Most properties are registered at HM Land Registry, so I can obtain the title myself. If you hold older deeds, please tell me.

What is the TA6 form?

The TA6 is the property information form. You complete it as the seller, and it answers the questions every buyer’s solicitor asks, about boundaries, disputes, notices, alterations, guarantees, services and more.

I send you the form to complete online, check your answers with you and include it in the contract pack. The buyer relies on your answers, so they must be accurate. If you are not sure about something, tell me rather than guess.

How it works

1. You tell me about the property and your mortgage.
2. I send you a fixed-fee quote and tell you which firm will act for you.
3. Identity checks and the property forms are handled online.
4. I prepare the contract pack and answer the buyer’s solicitor’s questions.
5. You sign online, or by post where that is needed, and we exchange contracts.
6. On completion, I pay off your mortgage and send the remaining sale money to you.

Fees

My fixed fee for selling a home, and the additional fee for a leasehold property, are on the Fees page, shown plus VAT and including VAT.