u/BeneficialRole9655

FTB here buying a 1-bed leasehold flat with 50% share of freehold for £280k in London and I’ve just had the solicitor quote through.

I’m trying to work out whether these fees are normal or whether I’m being rinsed.

Main quote:
- Legal fees: £1,750
- VAT: £350
- Bank transfer fee: £30 + VAT
- SDLT submission form: £75 + VAT (even though I’m paying £0 stamp duty as a first time buyer?)
- Electronic ID fee: £20.34
- Searches: £450
- Bankruptcy search: £6
- Official search fee: £7
- Land Registry fee: £100
- LMS fee: £42

Quoted total so far:
£2,851.34

BUT they also have additional charges including:
- £150 + VAT if obtaining a gifted deposit
- £150 + VAT if there is more than one title number
- £50 + VAT per restriction
- £25 + VAT for indemnity insurance
- extra management company / leasehold related fees TBC

With the gifted deposit fee added my total becomes:
£3,031.34

The thing is, they actually have very good reviews online with hardly any negatives, and the legal assistant dealing with my file has been really responsive and helpful so far, which I know isn’t always the case with conveyancers.

So I’m torn between “this is expensive” and “maybe this is just what decent conveyancing costs now for leasehold/share of freehold in London?”

Would appreciate opinions from anyone who’s bought recently.

FTB here buying a 1-bed leasehold flat with 50% share of freehold for £280k in London and I’ve just had the solicitor quote through.

I’m trying to work out whether these fees are normal or whether I’m being rinsed.

Main quote:
- Legal fees: £1,750
- VAT: £350
- Bank transfer fee: £30 + VAT
- SDLT submission form: £75 + VAT (even though I’m paying £0 stamp duty as a first time buyer?)
- Electronic ID fee: £20.34
- Searches: £450
- Bankruptcy search: £6
- Official search fee: £7
- Land Registry fee: £100
- LMS fee: £42

Quoted total so far:
£2,851.34

BUT they also have additional charges including:
- £150 + VAT if obtaining a gifted deposit
- £150 + VAT if there is more than one title number
- £50 + VAT per restriction
- £25 + VAT for indemnity insurance
- extra management company / leasehold related fees TBC

With the gifted deposit fee added my total becomes:
£3,031.34

The thing is, they actually have very good reviews online with hardly any negatives, and the legal assistant dealing with my file has been really responsive and helpful so far, which I know isn’t always the case with conveyancers.

So I’m torn between “this is expensive” and “maybe this is just what decent conveyancing costs now for leasehold/share of freehold in London?”

Would appreciate opinions from anyone who’s bought recently.

Hello, sorry if this is a silly question, but I’m hoping for some advice.

I own a residential property that I’ve lived in for the past five years, but I now want to move in with my partner and rent the property out instead.

What is the process for changing my mortgage in this situation? Is it usually possible to switch from a residential mortgage to a buy-to-let mortgage, or would I need permission from my lender first?

Thanks in advance.