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Residential sales and purchases
Buying or selling a freehold or leasehold home in and around Surbiton, with your fees agreed before we start and one named contact from the first letter to the keys.
What it costs
Your fees, agreed at the outset
We discuss fees with you at the start so you know your commitment. As we tell you when we give the quote, they're kept to unless something unforeseen involves extra work, and then your fee earner talks it through with you so you're fully aware of any increase.
Your quote shows our fees with the search fees and other costs. Our fees are payable on completion; we ask for the search fees at the outset so the searches can be put in hand straight away.
Get an instant quoteWhat we'll need from you
- The Information Form from our opening letter, read carefully and filled in as fully as you can
- The funds for your searches, so we can check there are no major issues affecting the property
- Proof of identity in person: an original current passport and two recent utility bills, bank statements or council tax demands (under three months old)
- Your National Insurance number, which HMRC requires
- An appointment with your fee earner, so they're there when you come in
From agreed sale to keys in your hand
Agreeing the sale or purchase, and your quote
When a sale or purchase is agreed you get a quote from us. If you go ahead, the fee earner is given the full details and sends the opening letters, with any forms for you to complete.
The papers
On a sale we get a copy of the title and send draft papers to the buyer's solicitors for approval. We also deal with their enquiries, some of which may need your input.
On a purchase, once we have your payment for the searches and the draft papers from the seller's solicitors, we go through them to make sure there's nothing detrimental to the property. Then we call you in to go through the papers together, and raise enquiries with the seller's solicitors.
Exchange
When the paperwork is approved, enquiries are answered and, on a purchase, your mortgage has been issued and we have the deposit, we exchange once a completion date is agreed.
Completion
On a purchase we request the mortgage funds on exchange and write to you for the balance. On completion you hand over the keys, or collect them.
Registration
On a purchase we carry out the post-completion formalities and register the property in your name as the new owner.
This is a summary of the key stages; your solicitor's role is a bigger one, and they'll explain each step as you reach it.
Buy-to-let, first homes and shared ownership
Buying to let?
The procedure for a buy-to-let purchase is exactly the same as for a home you'll live in. Your quote at the outset shows the fees and disbursements, including the stamp duty that applies to a second property.
Buying your first home?
We've guided many first-time buyers through Help to Buy and shared ownership purchases, and we'll explain each step in plain English.
Right to Buy or shared ownership?
We can help with Right to Buy and shared ownership purchases as well as ordinary freehold and leasehold sales and purchases.
Who you'll work with
Simple, stress free and kept informed
Leigh acts for clients on the sale and purchase of leasehold and freehold property, as well as remortgages and lease extensions. She aims to make the conveyancing process as simple and stress free as possible, places high value on good communication, and makes sure you're kept fully advised of progress.
Simon specialises in residential and commercial property sales and purchases, including new builds, new leases, lease extensions and auctions. He generally works on a fixed fee basis and is happy to discuss any issues with you.
Meet the teamSales and purchases, in their words
Simon and his team assisted with the purchase of my house in 2017 and the subsequent sale in 2024. Both transactions progressed seamlessly. I was given very clear instructions as to what was expected from me and the team kept me updated regularly as things progressed.
Ruth OliverGoogle reviewWe had a very tight deadline to complete our conveyancing, and I cannot thank Hill Johnson & Leo Solicitors enough for their outstanding service. Despite the short timeframe and pressure, she managed the entire process smoothly and completed everything sooner than we expected, which was truly impressive.
majid mehdikhaniGoogle reviewWe had originally started with a different solicitor and were almost at the point of completion before they essentially vanished overnight. We were left in a bit of a panic, needing to leave our rented flat within a couple of months, but Leigh was incredible. We really felt she was on our side throughout and kept us supported and informed every step of the way.
Toria MaxwellGoogle review4.8 from 213 Google reviews · 4.9 from 324 on ReviewSolicitors
Ready to move?
Get a quote in a minute, or call and talk it through with us.