We are aware that our charges will be an important consideration for you. It is not always possible to give an accurate indication of how much a particular matter will cost. However, at the beginning of every new matter we will send you a Client Care letter giving you as clear an idea as possible of the likely cost. Our fees (to which V.A.T. must be added at the current rate) are usually calculated on the time we spend dealing with a matter. In addition, we take into account such factors as the complexity of the work, any specialised knowledge or extra responsibility; the value of the property concerned; where you require the matter to be dealt with more quickly than normal – all such matters may require amendment of the fee first estimated. We try to give an accurate indication of disbursements payable at the outset of a transaction. We will inform you of any significant additional disbursements when they arise.
Our price includes all of the work needed to buy your home. This includes registration at the Land Registry and if applicable, dealing with the payment of Stamp Duty Land Tax if the property is in England, or Land Transaction Tax if the property you wish to buy is in Wales. Obviously all cases are different and we will try our best to inform you as soon as we become aware of any issue that might have an impact on the quoted fee.
An estimated or standard charge may be made in respect of expenses which are more difficult to quantify e.g. telephone calls or postage. By notifying us in writing you may set a limit on our charges, which may not be exceeded without your authority. It is our practice to ask our clients for money on account of charges and disbursements – mainly disbursements. Disbursements are expenses which we incur on your behalf, such as Local Authority Search fee. This money will be requested when the matter begins.
If any matter we are undertaking for you does not proceed or instructions are withdrawn from us we shall charge for the work done up to that point.
Our charges are based on the assumption the our Invoices will be settled on presentation and we will charge interest on the outstanding sum from the date of presentation at the same rate as the Courts allow in respect of outstanding judgements if an invoice is not settled within 7 days of presentation.
If you require us to contact a party (e.g. Solicitor, Lawyer, Estate Agents etc) to progress a matter, where in our professional opinion we consider it is inappropriate to do, we reserve the right to charge you additionally for the time taken to deal with your request at a rate of £150 plus VAT per hour or part thereof.
Our invoices will set out our charges calculated in the manner specified in the Client Care Letter, to which any disbursements and VAT are added. If you wish to have a detailed narrative of the work carried out it can be prepared but there will be an additional charge for preparing it. It is our usual practice not to carry out further work for the client until the Invoice is fully paid.
Some matters may take several months to complete. In relevant cases we will render interim accounts on a monthly basis unless we have reached an alternative agreement with you.
If asked to give an undertaking to enable your transaction to proceed (e.g. to pay money to a third party or for costs) we will require appropriate security from you before such undertaking is given. We reserve the right to charge for providing this personal commitment. We will, as necessary, inform you of the security required and of our associated charges.
Fees and disbursements must be paid and cleared before the completion date. We reserve the right to delay completion of your transaction until all disbursements have been paid in full and cleared. If we hold funds belonging to you we will deduct payment of our bill prior to making payment to you. By accepting these terms you agree to this.
On very rare occasions it may be necessary to inspect the property. Our Inspection fee is a minimum of £100. plus VAT
Our charges for obtaining documents required to enable the transaction to proceed are £50. plus vat in respect of each document.
Our charges for serving Leasehold Notice of Transfer and/or Charge are £50. plus VAT.
During the course of your transaction we may expect to receive or pay a commission or other benefit due to your introduction to us or from introducing you to another person or company. Where clients are introduced to the Practice by a third party we reserve the right to pay a fee not exceeding £100. Plus VAT for that introduction to the introducer. This does not affect our ability to act with independence and integrity or maintain high standards of work or prevent us to act in the best interest of our clients. In accepting these terms you give your consent for us to pay or retain such fee, commission or benefit.