The average conveyancing fees for selling a house in the UK amounts to £1,642, excluding disbursements and any additional costs that may arise. Solicitor fees typically make up around 20% of the total cost of selling a house.
Selling a property is an exciting milestone, but the legal process can feel daunting. Hiring a solicitor helps relieve this concern by handling all legal requirements and paperwork, ensuring nothing delays your sale.
This article provides a detailed overview of solicitor's fees involved in selling your home. We'll also explore when these fees are due and highlight additional costs, such as disbursements.
To get an accurate price for your sale, compare conveyancing quotes from solicitors.
Key Takeaways
Solicitor's legal fees range from £1,000 to £2,500
Fees vary based on property type and your solicitor's payment model
Disbursements and any additional costs are paid separately
Save money by using the same solicitor for buying and selling, and by comparing quotes
Solicitor Fees by Property Price
The fees for solicitors when selling a house in the UK varies depending on the property's value and whether it is freehold or leasehold.
Leasehold properties typically add £200–£300 to the base fees, due to the additional legal work involved. This covers reviewing the lease agreement, liaising with freeholders or managing agents, and handling lease-specific documentation that freehold sales don't require. Get a better breakdown through our guide on solicitor fees for leasehold flats.
Here are the average legal fees for freehold and leasehold properties based on property value:
| Property Price | Freehold Solicitor Fee | Leasehold Solicitor Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £100K | £1,050 | £1,220 |
| £100K to £200K | £1,140 | £1,310 |
| £200K to £300K | £1,270 | £1,420 |
| £300K to £400K | £1,340 | £1,490 |
| £400K to £500K | £1,430 | £1,580 |
| £500K to £600K | £1,640 | £1,780 |
| £600K to £700K | £1,720 | £1,880 |
| £700K to £800K | £1,910 | £2,050 |
| £800K to £900K | £2,030 | £2,170 |
| £900K to £1m | £2,100 | £2,250 |
| £1m+ | £2,430 | £2,520 |
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See your likely selling fees
While the costs above are estimates, speaking with local conveyancers is the easiest way to see the likely fees for your property. That way, you can set a realistic budget and avoid surprises later.
Additional Solicitor Fees
Additional legal fees of £100-£720 can apply if your sale involves complex circumstances that require specialist legal work beyond the standard conveyancing process.
Common situations that lead to extra fees include delayed completions, unregistered properties, mortgage changes, or removing someone from the property's ownership.
Here are the average fees for the most common specialist services:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Remortgage | £720 |
| Shared Ownership | £330 |
| Unregistered Property | £100 - £200 |
| Delayed Completion | £100 - £200 |
| Transferring Equity | £540 |
Always clarify with your solicitor which, if any, will apply to your situation so you aren't faced with unexpected charges during your property sale. Be aware that costs can also depend on location, with conveyancing costs in London often being on the higher end of the spectrum.
How Do Solicitors Charge?
Solicitors will either charge you a fixed rate for their legal fees or base it on a percentage of the final sale price of your property.
Fixed fee conveyancing might work to your advantage if the value of your property is high. This should be confirmed before you begin your conveyancing process.
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Disbursement Fees When Selling A House
According to our data, you can expect to pay around £277 in disbursement costs when selling a home.
Conveyancing disbursements are third-party fees that are entirely separate from solicitor fees. Your solicitor can manage and carry out these payments on your behalf but will typically charge extra for these services.
There are fewer disbursements required compared to buying as the legal process is generally less complex. Here are the main disbursements you can expect to pay:
| Disbursements | Fee |
|---|---|
| Anti-Money Laundering Checks | £5 |
| Bank Transfer Fee | £40 |
| Title Register Copy | £6 |
| Land Registry Document Fee | £6 |
| Indemnity Insurance | Varies |
| Mortgaged Property Supplement Fee (if applicable) | £220 |
The solicitor could charge for an engrossment fee which is a type of fee when acquiring the lease when purchasing a flat or leasehold house. It is also common when the seller is a developer or housebuilding company and the property is being sold for the first time.
Leasehold Disbursements
Selling a leasehold property requires additional documentation that increases disbursement costs. Your solicitor must obtain a leasehold management pack, which typically costs between £150-£500. The pack contains important information about service charges, ground rent, and planned maintenance, which is essential for buyers.
However, the cost varies significantly depending on your managing agent and property setup. If you pay ground rent and service charges to different companies, you'll need two separate leasehold information packs, effectively doubling this cost.
Always request a full breakdown of costs from your solicitor, including all disbursements and leasehold-specific charges as costs can vary significantly by firm and location.
What's Included in Solicitor's Fees?
When selling a house in England, Wales and Northern Ireland a solicitor will help you understand the conveyancing process, fill out paperwork and liaise with the buyer's solicitor on your behalf. Keep in mind that selling a house in Scotland can vary as the process is different.
There are many things solicitor fees include, and it's important to be aware of what a solicitor will do for you. Here are the most common fees involved:
Pre-Contract Enquiries
At the start of the conveyancing process, a solicitor will conduct pre-contract enquiries with the buyer's solicitor. They will be expected to answer questions regarding the property including any environmental issues or building regulations that must be highlighted. They will also carry out ID checks to ensure you can sell the home.
Drafting Exchange of Contracts
This is a time-consuming process and includes agreements from both the seller and buyer. They will collate all the information together within the document to allow the sale to become legally binding.
Liaise with Mortgage Lender and Buyer's Solicitor
Your solicitor will spend time liaising with the buyer's solicitor to ensure a smooth exchange of contracts and completion day. This is a time-consuming process and will require the solicitor to have a lot of knowledge of your situation, the home and the results of conveyancing searches.
Complete Necessary Paperwork and Documentation
A solicitor will assist you with completing the necessary paperwork and documentation associated with selling a house. This includes but is not limited to:
- TA10 (Fixtures and Fittings Form)
- TA6 (Property Information Form)
Exchange Contracts on Your Behalf
The exchange of contracts is an essential part of the conveyancing process. It makes the sale and purchase legally binding.
Completion
Your solicitor will assist with the completion of your house sale. This includes transferring the funds made by the buyer to you, approving the deed of transfer and receiving the title deeds.
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When Do I Pay My Solicitor Fees?
At the beginning of the conveyancing process, you'll pay disbursements so your solicitor has funds ready for third-party services. Some solicitors may also ask for a deposit for their legal fees.
You’ll pay your solicitor's legal fees and any additional costs once the sale is complete, typically around 12 weeks from starting the conveyancing process. This means the bulk of your legal costs are deducted from your sale proceeds, not paid upfront. Read more our guide on when to pay solicitors fees.
Remember that solicitor fees will need to be paid if the buyer or seller pulls out of a house sale.
How to Find a Conveyancer
Ensuring you find the right professional to handle the legal aspect of your transaction is essential when selling a house. This can help avoid expensive errors or unexpected costs during the process, in addition to making sure the sale runs smoothly.
At Compare My Move, we can connect you with up to 5 conveyancers to help you save on your conveyancing costs. This way, you can get the right solicitor at the best price for your property sale.
All our conveyancing partners have passed our strict verification process for your peace of mind. This includes being regulated by either the SRA, CLC, LSS, LSNI or CILEx.
FAQs
Do solicitors still charge if the sale falls through?
Many solicitors won’t make you pay their legal fee if the sale falls through. However, you may still have to pay for disbursements such as identity checks. It’s important to check that your solicitor offers a ‘no sale, no fee’ guarantee for their legal fees to avoid paying if the sale falls through.
Are solicitor’s fees different when selling vs buying?
Typically, solicitors fees for buying a house are higher than when you're selling due to the additional steps involved, such as conducting conveyancing searches.
Do you need a solicitor when selling a house?
In most cases, you will need to hire a solicitor when selling a house. However, if you're not selling with a mortgage and it's a fairly simple transaction then, technically, you can do your own legal work.
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