Solicitors Disbursements

Solicitors conveyancing fees and disbursements of the transaction are set out in full on the solicitors estimate.  CMS have negotiated discounted rates for most local searches which are shown in your quotes.  However, if your lender does not accept using a personal search company you may have to pay the normal local authority search fee which could be higher than that quoted by CMS (although this is rare). This could apply to either a purchase or a re-mortgage. A telegraphic transfer fee (TT) may be required on a re-mortgage depending upon the lender in question (approx £35).  Whilst a single telegraphic transfer fee may be quoted some lenders may require more than one fee for multiple transactions. A stamp duty land tax form (SDLT) may need to be completed on certain transactions.  This can either be completed by the client (at no charge) or by the solicitor who may levy a separate charge for this service. Certain lenders may also insist that an environmental or other search may be required in which case the client will be liable for the extra cost involved. Your solicitor/licensed conveyancer will ask you to pay for the local search in advance.  The balance of the payment of Legal costs and disbursements must be paid by you in cleared funds prior to legal completion.

Credit/Debit card payments: Many of our panel solicitors will now accept payment of the conveyancing fee, VAT and disbursements by credit or debit card. Please note that in some instances a small handling charge will be made to cover bank and administration costs.

 Searches: CMS have not included the cost of a local authority or drainage search in your quote. This is because most properties for sale will now have a Home Information Pack that should by law include these searches which you can use for free. If the property you are buying does not have a HIP or the searches are no longer valid your solicitor must carry out as a minimum a personal local authority search and a drainage search. Your lender may also request or your solicitor may advise on additional searches such as environmental and chancel check. CMS have negotiated a special fixed rate of £100.00 for a personal local authority search or £215.00 for a search pack which includes personal local authority search, drainage, Environmental and Chancel check.   

Should the matter not proceed to legal completion you will be obliged to pay for all searches and disbursements which the solicitor/licensed conveyancer has incurred on your behalf.  If the matter proves abortive before exchange of contracts you will not be charged for the conveyancing services. Should the matter prove abortive/ or should you change solicitors after exchange of contracts then the solicitor/licensed conveyancer shall be entitled to be paid a fair proportion of the cost of the conveyancing services.

Conveyancing Marketing Services Limited charges you at the agreed rate set out on the estimate for the conveyancing service which the panel firm of solicitors provide for you.  The panel firm of solicitors in turn charges Conveyancing Marketing Services Limited for supplying the service to you.  Conveyancing Marketing Services Ltd is remunerated out of the overall fee you pay rather than by making a further separate charge.

Terms and Conditions continued