Buying a house can be a mineBuying a house involves lots of legal work and paperwork.
Having a solicitor take care of this is essential to a smooth sale.
This blog looks at solicitors’ fees for buying a house in the UK.
How much are solicitors’ fees in the UK?
Solicitor fees are higher when you’re buying a house than when you’re selling.
The average solicitor’s fee is around £1,500 if you’re buying. If you’re selling, the average solicitor’s fee is around £750.
These numbers depend on the circumstances of your transaction and:
- The property’s age
- The property’s size
- Whether it’s freehold or leasehold.
Is a conveyancer cheaper than a solicitor?
Yes, an average conveyancer is less expensive than an average solicitor.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing.
A conveyancer specialises only in property transactions.
Meanwhile, a solicitor is qualified in this and other parts of the law.
Solicitors usually have more qualifications. They’re helpful is something unexpected comes up. That’s why they cost a bit more.
Do I have to pay solicitor fees?
You are not required to get a solicitor for your house transaction. But it’s highly recommended that you do.
If you bring in a solicitor, then you need to pay them. You won’t find one that works for free.
What happens if I don’t pay solicitors fees?
If you are unhappy with the service
Before taking it to court, we recommend solving the issue with your solicitor first.
Or get free legal advice from groups such as Citizens Advice Bureau or your local Law Centre.
If you have done this and are still proceeding, you must apply to the courts to complete a detailed assessment.
You can apply within a year of getting your bill. But you may find that you are asked to pay part, or all of it.
You will then get back any difference should the courts agree that the original bill was too high.
If you refuse to pay
If you refuse to pay, or put it off until another day, then you could face court action yourself.
This could result in a county court judgment (CCJ) being issued, which will harm your credit rating in the future.
If you do not pay, a solicitor is entitled to follow a debt recovery action. It can be an extreme resort.
This is especially true when a client care letter would have been issued at the start of the working contract. This letter outlined payment terms and details of the service provided.
But if this was ignored, the solicitor may only have one option left to get the money they are owed.
Once they begin their recovery process a letter of claim will be sent out.
You will receive a statement of the account outlining what is owed, any accrued interest, handling fees and further charges.
When do I pay solicitors fees?
It’s usually split: half up-front, and half at the end.
This is common with solicitors that charge based on an hourly rate. This is because they don’t know how long it’ll take at the beginning.
Solicitors that charge a flat rate may ask for the entire amount up-front.
It’s common to pay the day before completion. Some solicitors operate a no completion, no fee basis.
But you should check if this is the case at the start of the process.
As with anything involving your finances, shop around first. Some may appear more appealing to others, but have hidden fees you weren’t aware of.
