Back

What are the legal fees and costs of buying a new-build home?

Sep 09, 2024
What are the legal fees and costs of buying a new-build home
If you’ve set your eyes on your new home and are unsure about the legal fees, we have the answers. Our guide explores the costs of buying a house to help you budget, from mortgage and conveyancing expenses to Stamp Duty and Land Registry fees.

Key Takeaways

Mortgage-related Costs:
  • Mortgage Arrangement Fee: Ranges from £0 to £2,500, payable to the mortgage provider.
  • Mortgage Booking Fee: Typically £99 to £250, charged when applying for a fixed-rate mortgage.
 
Property-related Costs:
  • Property Valuation Fee: Charged by the lender to assess the property’s value (£150 to £300).
  • Home Survey: Costs £300 to £900 for a RICS Home Survey Level 1.
  • Land Registry Fee: Typically £200 to £300.
  • Legal/Conveyancing Fees: Range from £300 to £1,500.
  • Stamp Duty: No charge for first-time buyers if the property is under £425,000.

The legal costs of buying a house 

Below is a breakdown of the legal costs of buying a house:
 Item   Typical cost
 Mortgage arrangement  £0 to £2,000
 Mortgage booking fee  £99 to £250
 Property valuation  £150 to £1,500 (but can vary depending on property value)
 Mortgage broker fee  £0 to £500
Surveyor  £200 to £600 for a RICS Home Survey Level 1
 Land registry fee  £200 to £300
 Legal/conveyancing  £850 to £1,500
 Stamp Duty  £0 if you’re a first time buyer and the property is under £425,000
 

1. Mortgage arrangement fee

This fee will be paid to your mortgage provider. You can either pay: 
 
• Upfront – This gets the payment out the way, but if anything goes wrong with your home purchase, you may lose the money.
• Include it as part of your mortgage – This may delay the payment, but you’ll pay interest on it for the entire loan term.
 

2. Mortgage booking fee

Booking fees are rare, but some lenders may still charge them to secure the mortgage at a fixed rate. They’re also known as ‘application’ or ‘reservation’ fees.
 
If you need to pay it, you’ll be charged as soon as you apply for a mortgage.  
 

3. Property valuation fee

Your mortgage lender will charge this fee to ensure your house is worth what you’re paying. They do this to determine if the amount they’re lending you reflects the true value of the property. This is not a full structural valuation of your property, so it may not identify potential issues.
 

4. Mortgage broker fee

If you’re a first-time buyer, you may want to consider working with a mortgage broker – a specialist with in-depth knowledge of the market. They’ll help you find the best deal for your circumstances. 
 
Almost all mortgage brokers receive a commission from lenders, so most will give you fee-free advice. However, some may charge for their services. This is either a fixed rate or a percentage of the amount you’re borrowing. 
 

5. Surveyor’s fee

For your peace of mind, it’s a good idea to survey the property you want to buy to ensure its condition. This will reveal any structural issues, problems with plumbing or signs of damp. You can ask your lender to conduct the survey for you and add it to the cost of your mortgage. Alternatively, you can find a surveyor by visiting the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) website.
 
The price depends on the type of survey. There are three types: 
 
• Condition Survey (Level 1). A Level 1 Survey gives a general overview of the property’s conditions. 
 
• Homebuyer Survey (Level 2). This highlights issues like damp and subsidence and identifies anything that doesn’t meet the building regulations. 
 
• Building Survey (Level 3). This provides an in-depth inspection of the property's structure and conditions.
 
Learn more about house surveys  in our comprehensive guide. 
 

H3: 6. Conveyancing fee

This is the fee you’ll pay to your solicitor or conveyancer. It can be broken down into two parts:
 
• Legal fees – These cover your solicitor's time
• Disbursements – Any costs or expenses they incur during the process
 

7. Land Registry 

When you buy a home, HM Land Registry will charge a fee to register you as the legal owner. The fee is linked to the price of your property. Your solicitor or conveyancer will usually arrange this payment for you and add it to your bill. 
 
Remember to ask to pay the fee online, as it’s significantly cheaper than paying by post.
 

8. Stamp Duty

Stamp Duty is the tax charged by the government when you buy a home or a piece of land in England. If your home costs up to £250,000, you don’t need to pay it. Otherwise, the following rates apply: 
 
Purchase Price Stamp Duty %
£0 to £250,000
 0%
£250,001 to £925,000
 5% 
£925,001 to £1,500,000
 10% 
Over £1,500,001
 12% 

Schemes to help you move

Explore unique low-deposit schemes to help you move. 
 

Deposit Unlock

If you’re a first-time buyer, Deposit Unlock lets you buy with just a 5% deposit, so you can get a 95% mortgage. It’s available on selected new build homes.
 

Deposit Boost 

If you have a 10% deposit, we can boost it with a further 5% of the sale price, giving you a 15% deposit. This way, you can borrow less and could secure a more competitive mortgage deal.  
 

Parent Power

If your parents want to help you buy your new home, we can match their contribution up to a maximum of 5% of the purchase price. You’ll also receive an extra 1% towards your flooring. 
 

FAQs

Below, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions about legal fees. 
  • If the transaction falls through, you, as the buyer, will need to cover the local search, mortgage arrangement and survey costs. Both parties will need to pay their conveyancer for the work carried out up until that point.
  • You’ll pay some costs upfront, and the rest will be paid once the purchase is complete.
  • Both buyers and sellers are liable for solicitor fees if they pull out.
     
    Our homes boast energy-efficient features and a ten-year NHBC Buildmark Warranty for added peace of mind. Discover the benefits of buying new in our handy guide. 
     
    Browse our brand-new homes and flats in and around London and fantastic homebuying offers to help you move.
     
    Call or visit our Sales Advisers today to get started. 
     

Related Articles