Leasehold Residential Purchase Pricing

Our fees cover all the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including dealing with registration at the Land Registry and dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax (Stamp Duty) if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax (Land Tax) if the property is in Wales.

Conveyancer's fees and disbursements

• Legal fees

• Electronic money transfer fee £30 plus VAT per transfer
• Mortgage Administration Fee (where charged by your lender) - £10 plus VAT
• Help to Buy/Lifetime ISA Fee (if applicable) - £50 plus VAT per ISA

We do not pay Referral fees for work

Our fees are based on the following assumptions:

• 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
• that the property is registered
• that the property is not new build and you do not require a help to buy mortgage
• this is the assignment of a lease and 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 third party costs may apply if indemnity policies are required.

Third Party Costs

We handle the payment of third party costs on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. There are certain costs which will be set out in the individual lease relating to the Property. The costs which we anticipate will apply are set out separately below. This list is not exhaustive and other costs 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.

• Search fees £285-£300 inclusive of VAT (Price may vary according to plot size)
• HM Land Registry fee - Dependent on property value please see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hm-land-registry-registration-services-fees#scale-1-fees
• Land Registry Official Search of Title - £3 each
• Bankruptcy Searches - £2 per person

• Notice of Transfer fee – This fee if chargeable is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £75 - £150 plus VAT.*
• Notice of Charge fee (if the property is to be mortgaged) – This fee is set out in the lease. Often the fee is between £75 - £150 plus VAT.*
• Deed of Covenant fee – This fee is provided by the management company for the property and can be difficult to estimate. Often it is between £75 - £150 plus VAT.*
• Certificate of Compliance fee - To be confirmed upon receipt of the lease, as can range between £75 - £150 plus VAT.*

*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. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.

• Stamp Duty Land Tax

This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website.

Stages of the process

The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential leasehold property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to include:

• Take your instructions and give you initial advice
• Check finances are in place to fund the purchase and contact lender's solicitors if needed
• Receive and advise on contract documents
• Carry out searches
• Obtain further planning documentation if required
• Make any necessary enquiries of seller's solicitor
• Give you advice on all documents and information received
• Go through conditions of mortgage offer
• Send final contract to you for signature
• Draft Transfer Deed
• Advise you on joint ownership
• Obtain pre-completion searches
• Agree completion date (date from which you own the property)
• Exchange contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Arrange for all monies needed to be received from lender and you
• Complete purchase
• Pay relevant fees to management company/freeholder
• Deal with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Deal with application for registration at Land Registry

How long will my house purchase take?

How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. The average process takes between 10-12 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. For example, if you are a first time buyer with a mortgage in principle with no onward chain, it could take 6 weeks. However, if you are buying a leasehold property that requires an extension of the lease, this can take significantly longer, between 3 and 6 months. In such a situation additional charges would apply.

Mosshaselhurst Solicitors has been established in Cheshire for over 110 years and our property team has a combined total of almost 100 years experience between them. With offices located in Northwich and Winsford, our team has developed an excellent reputation for their expertise and local knowledge. When coupled with our market leading case management technology we are able to offer unrivalled customer service and keep clients well informed and supported throughout each transaction. 

Our professionalism is underpinned by our accreditation to the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and Lexcel Quality standard meaning all clients can be assured of our quality and integrity. We have also been shortlisted for Property Team of the Year at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards two years on the run celebrating our innovation and good practice.

We look after a wide range of clients from first time buyers to property investors across the whole country and we keep clients informed with telephone and e-mail updates throughout the whole legal process. We regularly liaise with estate agents and brokers to ensure the chain is fully informed and the matter can run smoothly. All clients are always welcome to call in to our offices to discuss their matter face to face. Our Northwich office opens from 8am-7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays so we can assist clients outside of normal office hours and are always available when needed.

Our clients are delighted by the service provided by mosshaselhurst. In fact the vast majority of our work hails from existing clients who value our excellent communication, competitive fee structure and reassuring, friendly manner. Here is an example of some of our excellent feedback:

• Just want to say thanks for the high level of service we have had. To note specifics, going through the reports and deeds in the level of detail you have and also with how quick the responses have been via email.
• I was a first time buyer unsure of how the process worked and Rebecca was a massive help in guiding me through
• The team handled what was an unusual completion with the deadline fast approaching with excellent professionalism and speedy communication, giving us reassurance on our property on completion
• The service we received from Janet Bossons was excellent, cannot fault anything, will definitely use mosshaselhurst again

Our Team

We have a team of experienced property professionals who will work on your matter. Regardless of who works on your matter, they will be supervised by Joanne Charles, Solicitor and Director and Head of Residential Property.

Joanne Charles – Solicitor, Director and Head of Residential Property

Joanne obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Bristol in 2000. In 2001 she received a commendation in her Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Chester College of Law, followed by a distinction in her Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2002. In 2010 Joanne obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice from the University of Cambridge.

Joanne qualified as a Solicitor in December 2004 and joined mosshaselhurst in July 2005. She became a partner in the firm in 2007. Joanne supervises the Residential Conveyancing Department and has been practising Property Law since 2002.

Rebecca Skelly –  Associate Director, Solicitor and Operational Head of Residential Property

Rebecca obtained a First Class Honours degree in Law at the University of Manchester in 2010 and went on to obtain a Distinction in the Legal Practice Course in 2011. She qualified as a Solicitor in December 2014 and joined mosshaselhurst Solicitors in January 2015.  She became an Associate Director in October 2021.

As Operational Head of the Residential Property Law Team, she is very experienced dealing with many aspects of Residential Conveyancing.

Janet Bossons – Conveyancing Executive

Janet has been dealing with residential property matters since 2000. She looks after the property team at our Winsford Office. Her years of experience have proved invaluable to our many returning clients.

Natalie Meadows joined mosshaselhurst as a Paralegal (Conveyancing Executive) in February 2020 as paralegal to the Conveyancing Property team

Stephen Sowah

Stephen joined the team in March 2023.  He obtained his LLB Hons from Lancaster University in 2008. 

Following a career in finance, Stephen moved back to Law in 2014.  He worked in Residential Conveyancing  based in and around Manchester City Centre from 2015.  He qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in 2021. 

Stephen has vast experience handling various matters within Residential Conveyancing such as, but not limited to, acting for individuals, companies & small developers in the sale and purchase of property, land registrations and carrying out re-mortgages of single and multiple properties for individuals and companies alike.   

Jane Stott - Conveyancing Assistant

Jane joined the Firm in October 2019.  She moved from Reception to the Residential Property Team in July 2022 as their full time Assistant.  Jane welcomes new clients and provides detailed quotations tailored to their specific needs.  She is always available to provide updates on matters and to answer any questions.  

mosshaselhurst Solicitors are specialists in property work, including:

• Freehold sales and purchases
• Leasehold sales and purchases
• New builds
• Buy-to-let
• Shared ownership
• Right to Buy
• Help to Buy
• First registrations of property
• Re-mortgages
• Park Homes
• Transfers of Equity
• Auctions