Our team has over 20 years of experience in delivering high-quality work in all matters relating to Residential Conveyancing.

During this time, the practice has helped hundreds of families in buying property and moving into their desired home.

We have 3 members of the team who may work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Saul Marine, Principal of Saul Marine & Co, and Head of Residential Conveyancing.

Saul Marine – Principal

Saul is head of our Residential Conveyancing team and has over 20 years in Residential Conveyancing work. Saul has an LLB degree from the University of West London.

Saul qualified as a Solicitor in March 1984, his initial experience being in Civil Litigation and since the practice started on 1 May 1999, he has also worked in Residential Conveyancing as well as Dispute Resolution.

His experience gives our practice the unique ability to use his Dispute Resolution skills to reduce possible disputes that may arise from a conveyance or to use his skills to strengthen the client’s evidence in the event that a dispute could arise. Saul’s experience encompasses first-time buyers to buy to let landlords to our more complicated Residential Conveyancing.

Helena Marine- Conveyancer

Helena has worked in the field of Residential Conveyancing since the practice was established in May 1999. Helena has a very friendly and personable attitude towards her Residential Conveyancing and is happy to guide our clients through the stressful process of buying and selling their property. Helena is the first point of contact in relation to any Residential Conveyancing matters.

Paralegals

Saul is assisted by Paralegals who have legal academic qualifications and work under Saul’s supervision and receive training within our firm.

In relation to our fees, we set out an indication of basic likely costs. There may be other factors that will change the actual fees charged to you depending on the complexity and facts of the matter and accordingly you should contact us for a more qualified quote in these cases. We also operate a premium service in this area and please apply for details of our Premium Service.

Factors that can influence the price actually charged can depend on whether there are any issues in relation to defective title or complexity in relation to the transaction.

All fees are subject to the following provisos:

That this is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise including for example a defect in title which requires remedying prior to completion;

This is the assignment of an existing lease and not the grant of a new lease;

No indemnity policies are required;

Furthermore, if the transaction is such that requires immediate exchange and completion or has some added time issue and requires a premium service, then upon application we will agree to an increased fee representing premium service;

The above quotes are in relation to purchases where our firm is on the mortgage panel where funding is required for the purchase. If our firm is not on the funding panel then a panel Solicitor may be involved in representing the lender and their price will be available upon application to us.

Normally in residential conveyancing, our fees cover all of the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at HM Land Registry and the filing and payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England.

Our basic fees are based on a sliding scale depending on the value of the transaction in question. The basis of our charges are fixed fees.

For a typical freehold purchase of up to £650,000, our likely legal fees will be £1100.00 plus VAT of £220.00 sub-totalling £1320.00

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £1883.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Between £650,000 and £1,000,000, the likely legal fees will be £1200.00 plus VAT of £240.00 sub-totalling £1440.00

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £2003.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Our legal fees for transactions between £1 million and £2.5 million range from £1500 plus VAT of £300 sub-totalling £1800 to £3000 plus VAT of £600 sub-totalling £3600

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £2363.41 to £4163.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

The above quotes are in relation to purchases where our firm is on the mortgage panel where funding is required for the purchase. If our firm is not on the funding panel then a panel Solicitor may be involved in representing the lender and their price will be available upon application to us.

The usual disbursements in connection with a freehold residential property will be as follows:

H M Land Registry fees:  https://fee-calculator.landregistry.gov.uk/;

  • Local Authority search – in the London Borough Barnet the price of the local authority search is £296.35 plus VAT of £59.27 totalling £355.62. If your transaction concerns any other local authority then we will provide details of that on application.
  • Environmental Search: £54.60 plus VAT of £10.92 totalling £65.52.
  • Water and Drainage search – £56.40 plus VAT;
  • Chancel Indemnity Insurance: £15.79 up to a purchase price of £500,000.00; (No VAT); £31.64 for purchase price between £500,0001.00 to £1,000,000.00 (no VAT);
  • Stamp duty land tax will depend on the purchase price of your property and you can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC website at  https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax;
  • Contribution to Telegraph transfer fee: £35 plus VAT of £7.00 totalling £42.00;
  • HM Land Registry priority search fee: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totallilng £3.60; HM Land Registry Bankruptcy search per purchaser: £2.00 plus VAT of £0.40 totalling £2.40;
  • Land Registry office copy search ranging between: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60 per office copy and £6.00 plus VAT of £1.20 totalling £7.20 per office copy.

For a typical freehold sale up to £650,000, our likely legal fees will be £1000.00 plus VAT of £200.00 sub-totalling £1200.00

Total disbursements of £44.00 plus VAT of £8.80 sub-totalling £52.80

Estimated total – £1252.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Between £650,000 and £1,000,000, the likely legal fees will be from £1100.00 plus VAT of £220.00 sub-totalling £1320.00

Total disbursements of £44.00 plus VAT of £8.80 sub-totalling £52.80

Estimated total – £1372.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Our legal fees for transactions between £1 million and £2.5 million range from £1400 plus VAT of £280 sub-totalling £1680 to £2500 plus VAT of £500 sub-totalling £3000

Total disbursements of £44.00 plus VAT of £8.80 sub-totalling £52.80

Estimated total – £1732.80 to £3052.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

The usual disbursements in connection with a freehold residential property will be as follows:

  • Land Registry office copy search ranging between: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60 per office copy and £6.00 plus VAT of £1.20 totalling £7.20 per office copy;
  • Contribution to Telegraph transfer fee: £35 plus VAT of £7.00 totalling £42.00.

The work involved in this area is more complex and time-consuming as enquiries will need to be raised with the landlord or landlord’s managing agent and the provisions of the lease need to be considered carefully. On completion, there will be notice fees payable to the Landlord/Managing Agent

For a typical leasehold purchase of up to £650,000, our likely legal fees will be £1300.00 plus VAT of £260.00 sub-totalling £1560.00

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated Notice fees – £300.00 without VAT

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £2423.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Between £650,000 and £1,000,000, the likely legal fees will be £1400.00 plus VAT of £280.00 sub-totalling £1680.00

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated Notice fees – £300.00 without VAT

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £2543.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Our legal fees for transactions between £1 million and £2.5 million range from £1600 plus VAT of £320 sub-totalling £1920 to £3150 plus VAT of £630 sub-totalling £3780

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated Notice fees – £300.00 without VAT

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £2783.41 to £4643.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

The usual disbursements in connection with the purchase of a leasehold residential property will be as follows:

H M Land Registry fees:  https://fee-calculator.landregistry.gov.uk/;

  • Local Authority search – in the London Borough Barnet the price of the local authority search is £296.35 plus VAT of £59.27 totalling £355.62. If your transaction concerns any other local authority then we will provide details of that on application.
  • Environmental Search: £54.60 plus VAT of £10.92 totalling £65.52.
  • Water and Drainage search – £56.40 plus VAT of £11.28 totalling £67.68
  • Chancel Indemnity Insurance: £15.79 up to a purchase price of £500,000.00 (No VAT); £31.64 for purchase price between £500,0001.00 to £1,000,000.00 (no VAT);
  • Stamp duty land tax will depend on the purchase price of your property and you can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the HMRC website at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax
  • Contribution to Telegraph transfer fee: £35 plus VAT of £7.00 totalling £42.00;
  • HM Land Registry priority search fee: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60; HM Land Registry Bankruptcy search per purchaser: £2.00 plus VAT of £0.40 totalling £2.40;
  • Land Registry office copy search ranging between: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60 per office copy and £6.00 plus VAT of £1.20 totalling £7.20 per office copy.
  • Notice of transfer fee which is chargeable as set out in the lease and often this fee is between £50 and £100;
  • Notice of charge: a fee as set out in the lease if the property is mortgaged and often this fee is between £75 and £200;
  • Deed of the covenant: fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate but is often between £100 and£300;
  • Certificate of compliance fees: this can be confirmed upon receipt of the lease but can range between £75 and £150;

These fees can vary from property to property and can be significantly more.

Ground rent and service charges are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property and we will confirm the ground rent and service charges as soon as this is received.

These transactions differ from a freehold sale as the purchaser’s enquiries are more complex and will involve an application to the landlord and/or managing agent, for which there will be a separate fee payable.

For a typical leasehold sale up to £650,000, our likely legal fees will be £1200.00 plus VAT of £240.00 sub-totalling £1440.00

Total disbursements of £44.00 plus VAT of £8.80 sub-totalling £52.80

Estimated Landlord Enquiries fees – £250.00 without VAT

Estimated total – £1742.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Between £650,000 and £1,000,000, the likely legal fees will be £1300.00 plus VAT of £260.00 sub-totalling £1560.00

Total disbursements of £44.00 plus VAT of £8.80 sub-totalling £52.80

Estimated Landlord Enquiries fees – £250.00 without VAT

Estimated total – £1862.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

Our legal fees for transactions between £1 million and £2.5 million range from £1500 plus VAT of £300 sub-totalling £1800 to £3000 plus VAT of £600 sub-totalling £3600

Total disbursements of £44.00 plus VAT of £8.80 sub-totalling £52.80

Estimated Landlord Enquiries fees – £250.00 without VAT

Estimated total – £2102.80 to £3902.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

The usual disbursements in connection with a Leasehold residential property will be as follows:

  • Land Registry office copy search ranging between: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60 per office copy and £6.00 plus VAT of £1.20 totalling £7.20 per office copy;
  • Contribution to Telegraph transfer fee: £35 plus VAT of £7.00 totalling £42.00.

Typically fees in relation to a new build purchase will involve the likely legal fees will be in the range of £2000.00 plus VAT of £400.00 sub-totalling £2400.00

Total disbursements of £472.14 plus VAT of £91.27 sub-totalling £563.41.

Estimated Notice fees – £200.00 without VAT

Estimated total (excluding Stamp Duty Land Tax and Land Registry registration fee) – £3163.41 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

These are complex transactions involving the perusal of considerable documents including the agreement for lease draft lease and planning permission and other conveyancing documents. In circumstances where the Applicant is supported by the government help to buy system further costs are involved in acting in connection with the help to buy documentation and government agency.

The usual disbursements in connection with a new build residential property will be as follows:

H M Land Registry fees:  https://fee-calculator.landregistry.gov.uk/;

  • Local Authority search – in the London Borough Barnet the price of the local authority search is £296.35 plus VAT of £59.27 totalling £355.62. If your transaction concerns any other local authority then we will provide details of that on application.
  • Environmental Search: £54.60 plus VAT of £10.92 totalling £65.52.
  • Water and Drainage search – £56.40 plus VAT of £11.28 totalling £67.68.
  • Stamp duty land tax will depend on the purchase price of your property and you can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the HMRC website at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax
  • Contribution to Telegraph transfer fee: £35 plus VAT of £7.00 totalling £42.00;
  • HM Land Registry priority search fee: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60; HM Land Registry Bankruptcy search per purchaser: £2.00 plus VAT of £0.40 totalling £2.40;
  • Land Registry office copy search ranging between: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60 per office copy and £6.00 plus VAT of £1.20 totalling £7.20 per office copy.

The following quotes are given on the basis that we can act for yourself and your lender.

In relation to a remortgage up to £750,000, the likely legal fees will be from £750.00 plus VAT of £150.00 sub-totalling £900.00 and disbursements for the Freehold remortgage of a freehold property. The above quote is on the basis that we can act for any proposed mortgagee.

Total disbursements of £134.00 plus VAT of £2.80 sub-totalling £136.80.

Estimated total (excluding Land Registry registration fee) – £1036.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

If we cannot act for the mortgagee then please apply to the office for a quote for the additional costs of separate representation.

In relation to Leasehold remortgage of a leasehold property, typically the likely legal fees will be in the range of £900.00 plus VAT of £180.00 sub-totalling £1080.00

Total disbursements of £134.00 plus VAT of £2.80 sub-totalling £136.80.

Estimated Notice fees – £200.00 without VAT

Estimated total (excluding Land Registry registration fee) – £1416.80 – see breakdown of disbursements below.

The usual disbursements in connection with a remortgage residential property will be as follows:

H M Land Registry fees:  https://fee-calculator.landregistry.gov.uk/;

  • Local Authority search – in the London Borough Barnet the price of the local authority search is £296.35 plus VAT of £59.27 totalling £355.62. If your transaction concerns any other local authority then we will provide details of that on application.
    Alternatively, your lender may accept indemnity insurance in place of a Local Authority Search and estimated at £120.00 (no VAT).
  • Stamp duty land tax will depend on the remortgage price of your property and you can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using the HMRC website at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/calculate-stamp-duty-land-tax.
  • HM Land Registry priority search fee: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60; HM Land Registry Bankruptcy search per purchaser: £2.00 plus VAT of £0.40 totalling £2.40;Land Registry office copy search ranging between: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60 per office copy and £6.00 plus VAT of £1.20 totalling £7.20 per office copy.”
  • Contribution to Telegraph transfer fee: £35 plus VAT of £7.00 totalling £42.00;
  • HM Land Registry priority search fee: £3.00 plus VAT of £0.60 totalling £3.60; HM Land Registry Bankruptcy search per purchaser: £2.00 plus VAT of £0.40 totalling £2.40;

The length of time the process may take will depend on a number of factors with the average process takes between 8 to 12 weeks from beginning to completion.

This can be quicker or slower depending on the parties in the chain. If you are a first-time buyer purchasing a new build property with a mortgage in principle, it could take up to 6 months for completion to take place if the property needs to be completed whilst exchange of contracts should normally take place within 6 to 8 weeks.

If you are buying a property that is leasehold that requires an extension of the lease, the time can take significantly longer.

Usually, the following are the stages involved in the purchase of residential property:

Taking your instructions and giving you initial advice;

Checking finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact lenders solicitors if needed;

Advice on contract documents, carrying out searches, obtaining further planning documentation, making enquiries of the seller’s solicitor, advising on all documents, going through the conditions of the mortgage offer, sending the final contract for signature, agreeing on a completion date, exchanging contracts and notifying you that this has happened, arranging for monies needed to be received from the lender, completing the purchase, dealing with payment of Stamp duty land tax, applying for registration at the land registry.