Our Approach

We are both friendly, helpful and approachable for all your conveyancing requirements. We specialise in all aspects of residential conveyancing, including freehold and leasehold sales and purchases, transfers and re-mortgages.  Between us we possess a wealth of local knowledge and experience of property law.  We also enjoy the personal side of residential conveyancing; meeting and helping our clients through what is often a stressful time.  We always look for solutions to help our clients move forward to achieve their goals and we pride ourselves on always being proactive. We are supported by our Conveyancing Assistants, who have over thirty-five years of experience and together we are the residential conveyancing team at MPP Solicitors.

Contact us today for advice and a free no obligation quotation.

We are Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) approved and are on the panels of all of the major mortgage lenders and also some regional lenders.

Please be assured that you will always be able to speak with your property lawyer or a member of the team at every stage of the process. We aim to keep you updated and to answer your queries.

We aim to provide a full and efficient service and to take the stress out of your property transactions.  We can help with all property transactions, including:

• Purchase and sale of residential freehold and leasehold property
• New build properties
• Re-mortgages
• Transfer of ownership of property/gifts of property
• Lease extensions
• Help to buy
• Shared ownership
• Adverse possession

For more information please contact a member of our conveyancing team.

Buying a Property

Residential Freehold Purchase Pricing

We will guide you through each step of your transaction and can offer a service that fits your exact requirements.

We will keep you up-to-date with all of the relevant information so you can make informed decisions and have complete confidence that every detail has been properly taken care of.

We have an experienced team who understand the stress involved in buying, selling or re-mortgaging your property.

Our team is made up of fully qualified solicitors who will help to resolve any issues as they arise in a professional and efficient manner. We will make sure we are always available to answer your questions in plain English and ensure you are kept up-to-date with everything you need to know.

We are proud to hold CQS Accreditation, issued by the Law Society. This involves the firm undergoing a rigorous audit process which ensures we maintain high levels of client care.

The fees involved in any transaction are important and we review our fees on a regular basis to ensure we always offer you value for money.

We work on a fixed fee basis, ensuring that you know what the fees will be for your transaction from the outset. If, during the transaction, there is a new development, we will discuss any change in fees with you and agree a way forward.

Our fees cover all the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including acting for your mortgage lender, 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 you wish to buy is in Wales.

The quote below is an illustration of a freehold purchase price of £250,000.

Item	Amount
Legal Fees	£895 +VAT
For acting on behalf of the Mortgage lender	0
Search fees	£300 + VAT
HM Land Registry fee	£135
Electronic money transfer fee	£30 +VAT
Estimate Total (excludes VAT)	£1,360

Please note that if the purchase price is less our fees will be reduced accordingly and if the purchase price is more we have a sliding scale of increased fees and will be happy to provide a tailored quote.  By way of example if the purchase price is £500,000 our fees will be £995 plus VAT.

Referral Fees

Our clients choose us on our reputation – we never pay estate agents for work or introductions.  By doing so we offer truly independent advice.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

These fees may be subject to change if further information relating to your property becomes available, for example, if you require any additional searches, such as a mining search, the cost of which will vary according to the area where the property is located.  The figure quoted for search fees above indicates local authority, water and drainage, chancel repair and environmental searches.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

The amount payable will depend 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 here.

Exclusions

We do not undertake tax advice.

Our fees are fixed, however there may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees estimated above. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.

Factors that may lead to an increase in cost include:

• If the property is a new build
• If the property is unregistered or part of the title is unregistered
• If you require to exchange and complete within 5 weeks of instructing us
• If we have additional work dealing with multiple parties, i.e. more than one client with different correspondence details; or with third party solicitors
• If the property you are buying has more than one registered title

In our experience it is rare that we need to change our original quote.

Time Scales

For any transaction, the timescales are subject to change depending on many factors involved such as:

• Number of parties in the chain
• Whether you have a mortgage in place
• Whether you are buying a new build property
• Whether you need a lease extension for a leasehold property

A typical transaction will take between 10-14 weeks. However, if any of the above apply, or there are other factors we need to take into consideration, it may increase the time by a further 4-6 weeks and additional charges may occur. We will discuss this with you at the earliest opportunity so you always have a clear picture of how long things are likely to take.

Key Stages

With every transaction there are key stages, which may vary according to individual circumstances. Typically, these may be as follows:

• Taking your instructions and give initial advice based on the information you have provided
• Checking finances are in place to fund the purchase and contacting the lender’s solicitors if needed
• Receiving and advising you on contract documents
• Undertaking searches
• Obtaining further planning documentation if required
• Making any necessary enquiries of the seller’s solicitor
• Reporting to you and providing advice on all documents and information received
• Advising you of the mortgage offer conditions
• Finalising contracts and sending to you for signature
• Agreeing a completion date (the date from which you will legally own the property)
• Exchanging contracts and notifying you that this has happened
• Ensuring all monies have been received from you and the lender(s)
• Completing the purchase
• Dealing with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Completing and submitting an application for registration at the Land Registry

Residential Leasehold Purchase Pricing

We will guide you through each step of your transaction and can offer a service that fits your exact requirements.

We will keep you up-to-date with all of the relevant information so you can make informed decisions and have complete confidence that every detail has been properly taken care of.

We have an experienced team who understand the stress involved in buying, selling or re-mortgaging your property.

Our team is made up of fully qualified solicitors who will help to resolve any issues as they arise in a professional and efficient manner. We will make sure we are always available to answer your questions in plain English and ensure you are kept up-to-date with everything you need to know.

We are proud to hold CQS Accreditation, issued by the Law Society. This involves the firm undergoing a rigorous audit process which ensures we maintain high levels of client care.

Pricing

We know how important cost is when deciding who to use for leasehold conveyancing, so we review our fees on a regular basis, taking into account clients’ feedback, so we can make sure we always offer great value.

We typically work on a fixed fee basis, so that from the outset you know what the fees will be for your transaction. If during the transaction there is a new development, we will discuss the change in fees with you and agree a way forward.

Our fees are set out as:

Leasehold Residential Property

Our fees cover all the work required to complete the purchase of your new home, including acting for your mortgage lender, 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.

The quote below is an illustration of a leasehold purchase price of £250,000.

Item	Amount
Legal Fees	£1,095 +VAT
Fee for acting on behalf of the mortgage lender	0
Search fees	£300 +VAT
HM Land Registry fee	£135.00
Electronic money transfer fee	£30.00 +VAT
Estimate Total (Excludes VAT)	£1,560 +VAT

Please note that if the purchase price is less our fees will be reduced accordingly and if the purchase price is more, we have a sliding scale of increased fees and will be happy to provide a tailored quote. 

Referral Fees

Our clients choose us on our reputation – we never pay estate agents for work or introductions.  By doing so we offer truly independent advice.

Disbursements

Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as Land Registry fees. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.

These fees may be subject to change if further information relating to your property becomes available, for example, if you require any additional searches, such as a mining search, the cost of which will vary according to the area where the property is located.  The figure quoted for search fees above indicates local authority, water and drainage, chancel repair and environmental searches.

 Anticipated* Additional Disbursements for Leasehold Purchases

These are payable to third parties

Item	Price Range
Notice of Transfer fee	£120.00 – £220.00 + VAT
Notice of Charge fee For mortgaged properties	£120.00 – £220.00 + VAT
Deed of Covenant fee provided by the management company	£150.00 – £200.00 + VAT
Certificate of Compliance fee to be confirmed upon receipt of the lease	£90.00 – £200.00 + VAT

* These fees vary from property to property and can on occasions be significantly more than the ranges given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

The amount payable will depend 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 here.

Exclusions

We do not undertake tax advice.

Our fees are fixed, however there may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees estimated above. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.

Factors that may lead to an increase in cost include:

• If the property is a new build
• If the property is unregistered or part of the title is unregistered or the legal title is defective
• If you require to exchange and complete within 5 weeks of instructing us
• If we have additional work dealing with multiple parties, i.e. more than one client with different correspondence details; or with third party solicitors
• If the property you are buying has more than one registered title

In our experience it is rare that we need to change our original quote. However, our fee assumes that:

• This is a standard transaction and that no unforeseen matters arise, including (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
• This is the assignment of an existing lease and is 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 disbursements may apply if indemnity policies are required

Time Scales

For any transaction, the timescales are subject to change depending on many factors involved such as:

• Number of parties in the chain
• Whether you have a mortgage in place
• Whether you are buying a new build property
• Whether you need a lease extension for a leasehold property

A typical transaction will take between 10-14 weeks. However, if any of the above apply, or there are other factors we need to take into consideration, it may increase the time by a further 4-6 weeks and additional charges may occur. We will discuss this with you at the earliest opportunity so you always have a clear picture of how long things are likely to take.

For any transaction, the timescales are subject to change depending on when your offer is accepted and other factors involved. The average process takes between 10-14 weeks. It can be quicker or slower, depending on the parties in the chain. 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.

Key Stages

With every transaction there are key stages, which may vary according to individual circumstances. Typically, these may be as follows:

• Taking your instructions and give initial advice based on the information you have provided
• Checking finances are in place to fund the purchase and contacting the lender’s solicitors if needed
• Receiving and advising you on contract documents
• Undertaking searches
• Obtaining further planning documentation if required
• Making any necessary enquiries of the seller’s solicitor
• Reporting to you and providing advice on all documents and information received
• Advising you of the mortgage offer and conditions
• Finalising contracts and sending to you for signature
• Agreeing a completion date (the date from which you will legally own the property)
• Exchanging contracts and notifying you that this has happened
• Ensuring all monies have been received from you and the lender(s)
• Completing the purchase
• Sending appropriate Notices
• Dealing with payment of Stamp Duty/Land Tax
• Completing and submitting an application for registration at the Land Registry

You should also be aware that ground rent and service charges are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as we receive this information. 

Selling your Property

Residential Sale Pricing

When it comes to selling a property, there are important decisions you need to make and we are here to ensure that your all your legal obligations are met. There are lots of boxes to tick and we want to assist you in selling your house quickly and efficiently, leaving you free to move on to your next property.

We will guide you through each step of your transaction and can offer a service that fits your exact requirements.

We will keep you up-to-date with all of the relevant information so you can make informed decisions and have complete confidence that every detail has been properly taken care of.

We have an experienced team who understand the stress involved in buying, selling or re-mortgaging your property.

Our team is made up of fully qualified solicitors who will help to resolve any issues as they arise in a professional and efficient manner. We will make sure we are always available to answer your questions in plain English and ensure you are kept up-to-date with everything you need to know.

We are proud to hold CQS Accreditation, issued by the Law Society. This involves the firm undergoing a rigorous audit process which ensures we maintain high levels of client care.

The fees involved in any transaction are important and we review our fees on a regular basis, considering client’s feedback to ensure we always offer good value for money. We typically work on a fixed fee basis, so that from the outset you know what the fees will be for your transaction.

Our fees are set out as:

Freehold Sale Pricing

Our fees cover all the work required to complete the sale of your current home including dealing with your mortgage redemption if appropriate.

The quote below is an illustration of a freehold sale price of £250,000.

Item	Amount
Our Fees	£795 +VAT
Land Registry Search fees	£9
Electronic money transfer fee	£30 +VAT
Estimate Total (Excludes VAT)	£834

Please note that if the price is less our fees will be reduced accordingly and if the sale price is more, we have a sliding scale of increased fees and will be happy to provide a tailored quote.  By way of example if the sale price of a Freehold property is £500,000.00 our fees will be £895.00 plus VAT and if the sale price is £1,000,000.00 our fees will be £1,395.00 plus VAT.

If you are selling a Leasehold property our fees will be more but will vary according to the sale price.  For example, if the Leasehold sale is £250,000.00, our fees would be £895.00 plus VAT.  This would increase to £1,400.00 plus VAT if the sale price is £500,000.00 and £1,900.00 if the sale price is £1,000,000.00.

Referral Fees

We are proud that our clients choose us on our reputation – we never pay estate agents for work or introductions.  By doing so we offer truly independent advice.

Exclusions

We do not undertake tax advice.

Our fees are fixed, however there may be factors which would typically increase the cost of the fees estimated above. Where there is likely to be any additional cost, we will make sure you are informed of this at the earliest opportunity and a clear estimate of those extra costs will be provided.

Factors that may lead to an increase in cost include:

• If a legal title is defective and indemnity insurance is required
• The all or part of the property is unregistered
• If you require to exchange and complete within 6 weeks of instructing us
• If we have additional work dealing with multiple parties, i.e. more than one client with different correspondence details
• If the property you are selling has more than one registered title

In our experience it is rare that we need to change our original quote.

Time Scales

For any transaction, the timescales are subject to change depending on factors involved, such as:

• Number of parties in the chain
• Whether the buyer has a mortgage in place
• Whether the buyer requests lease extension for a leasehold property
• Whether the searches flag up any issues
• Whether buyer’s Survey shows up any issues
• Buyer’s Enquiries

A typical transaction will take between 8-10 weeks. However, if any of the above apply or there are other factors we need to take into consideration, it may increase the time by a further 2-4 weeks and additional charges may occur. We will discuss this with you at the earliest opportunity, so you always have a clear picture of how long things are likely to take.

Key Milestones

With every transaction there are key milestones, which may vary according to individual circumstances. They may be as follows:

• Taking your instructions and giving initial advised based on the information you have provided
• Checking finances are in place for the buyer to fund the purchase
• Drafting contracts of sale and any other necessary documents and reviewing these with you
• Sending the contacts of sale to the buyer’s solicitor and dealing with any enquires they have
• Providing advice on all documents and information received
• Finalising the contract and sending to you for signature
• Agreeing a completion date (the date from which the buyer will legally own the property)
• Exchanging contracts and notify you that this has happened
• Completing the purchase

As not all domestic conveyancing is standard we do make additional charges for some matters that may arise throughout your transaction and which involve additional and unforeseen work. Currently we make an additional charge of £50.00 plus VAT individually for any of the following:-

• An unregistered title. Although it is becoming more and more unusual it is still  possible to come across unregistered titles.
• Insurance company indemnity policies to cover matters like technically defective titles, missing easements, lack of FENSA or other certificates and restrictive covenants.
• Statutory or any other form of Declaration.
• Forwarding an Identification Document (Form ID1) to an unrepresented person.
• Repayment of any second mortgages on sales and/or to investigate or remove unusual restrictions registered against the property.
• Freehold sales or purchases that have a management company.

Residential Leasehold Sale Pricing

Our fees cover all the work required to complete the sale of your current home including dealing with your mortgage redemption if appropriate.

The quote below is an illustration of a leasehold sale price of £250,000.

Item	Amount
Our Fees	£1,095 +VAT
Land Registry Search fees	£9 +VAT
Electronic money transfer fee	£30 +VAT
Estimate Total (Excludes VAT)	£1,134

Please note that if the price is less our fees will be reduced accordingly and if the sale price is more, we have a sliding scale of increased fees and will be happy to provide a tailored quote.  

Our e-mail address is : conveyancing@mppsolicitors.co.uk