How Much Are Solicitors’ Fees to Sell a House in 2025? (Full Breakdown)

Thinking of selling your home this year?

Then one thing’s for sure — you’re going to need a solicitor. And yes, that means legal fees.

But how much should you be paying in 2025?

More importantly, how do you dodge the dreaded hidden charges, snail-paced service, and vague pricing that too many sellers get stuck with?

In this guide, I’ll show you exactly what solicitors charge in 2025, what you’re really paying for, and how to avoid getting ripped off.

Let’s get stuck in.

Solicitors’ Fees to Sell a House in 2025 — Quick Overview

First up, here’s the ballpark for this year:

Most sellers in 2025 will pay between £850 and £1,500, before disbursements like ID checks and bank transfers.

Selling a leasehold? Expect to pay £300–£500 more.

But it’s not just about the headline fee — because what you actually pay depends on loads of factors, from your property type to whether you’re in London or Leeds.

So let’s break it down…

What Does a Solicitor Actually Do When You Sell?

In short: your solicitor handles all the legal work needed to officially transfer ownership of your property to the buyer.

This includes:

• Drafting and managing the sale contract
• Verifying your ID and title deeds
• Liaising with the buyer’s solicitor
• Handling the mortgage redemption (if applicable)
• Managing the entire legal process through to completion day

In other words: they make the sale legally watertight. And if they get it wrong, you could be looking at serious delays or even failed completion.

That’s why it pays to know what you’re being charged for.

Fee Breakdown: What You’re Really Paying For

Here’s the full breakdown of typical costs in 2025:

1. Base Legal Fee

• £700–£1,200 + VAT
• Covers the core work from contract to completion
• Varies by location, property value, and complexity

2. Leasehold Supplement

• £100–£300 + VAT
• Extra work involved in leasehold sales (chasing managing agents etc.)

3. ID & Anti-Money Laundering Checks

• £10–£30 per person
• Legal requirement for all sellers

4. Land Registry Copies

• ~£11 per document
• Usually 2–4 copies required. Leasehold properties can rack up to 6+ copies depending on the site.

5. Telegraphic Transfer Fees

• £20–£45 + VAT per transfer
• Secure bank transfers — usually needed twice per sale

6. Mortgage Redemption Handling

• £0–£100
• Some solicitors include this in the base fee, others charge extra.

7. Leasehold Management/Landlord Packs (if leasehold)

• £200–£500
• Two different packs; the incorporate Landlord Pack paid to the landlord, and the management pack paid to the  management company
• Delays here can stall your entire sale.

8. Other Possible Extras

• Indemnity insurance: £50–£300+
• Courier/post fees: £5–£10
• File archiving/admin: £25
• Freeholder fees (e.g. notice of transfer): Varies

Real-World Example:

That’s nearly £600 more — just because it’s leasehold.

Why Leasehold Sales Cost More

So why do leasehold sales come with such a hefty price tag?

It boils down to one thing: more work, more risk, more chasing.

Here’s what your solicitor’s really doing behind the scenes:

• Reviewing the lease (often 30+ pages) to check for restrictions, ground rent clauses, and nasty surprises
• Requesting and interpreting the management pack — service charges, insurance, compliance docs etc.
• Chasing freeholders and managing agents — many of whom aren’t in a hurry
• Handling extra consents or notices (some leaseholds require these before you can sell)
• Taking on more legal liability — which bumps up their insurance risk

Pro Tip: Selling a leasehold? Order the management pack immediately once the sale is agreed. You will need to check who you pay ground rent and service charge to, more often than not these will be payable to 2 separate parties. Some management companies will not allow you to order the pack with them directly and will require your solicitor to do so on your behalf. If this is the case, make sure you provide your solicitors with correct contact details including email addresses of the Landlord and Managing Agent and provide payment for the pack promptly.Waiting for your solicitor to request it could delay everything.

What Affects Your Solicitor’s Fees?

Not all quotes are created equal — and here’s why yours might be higher (or lower) than someone else’s:

1. Property Value

Higher-value homes often mean higher fees.
Why?

• Bigger numbers = more legal risk
• More scrutiny on contracts and funds
  Some firms use pricing bands (e.g. under £250k, £250k–£500k, £500k+)

2. Leasehold vs Freehold

We’ve covered this already — leaseholds need more admin and more chasing.

3. Location

London and the South East tend to be pricier.
But here’s the thing:
Thanks to remote working, you’re not tied to a local solicitor anymore.
Many firms now work nationally — so don’t be afraid to shop around.

4. Complexity of the Sale

If your sale involves any of the following, expect a bump in fees:

• Unregistered land
• Missing documents (e.g. planning consent)
• Title restrictions
• Probate or power of attorney
• Shared ownership or Help to Buy

5. Speed Requirements

Need to exchange in 2–3 weeks?
Some firms charge an expedite fee to reshuffle their caseload.

6. Type of Firm

• Solicitors: Fully qualified — more expensive, but higher legal clout
• Licensed Conveyancers: Property specialists — often cheaper
• Online firms: Tempting prices, but service can be hit and miss

My advice?
Go for a mid-tier solicitor with good reviews and proper systems in place.
We recommend Pannone — they’re who we trust at Property Rescue to get things done quickly and without the drama.

How to Choose a Great Solicitor (Without Getting Burned)

Picking the right solicitor isn’t just about price — it’s about speed, clarity, and avoiding chaos when you’re weeks away from completion.

Here’s how to find one that won’t let you down:

1. Get at Least 3 Quotes

Compare:

• Legal fee (is VAT included?)
• Disbursements (like ID checks or transfer fees)
• Leasehold supplements (if relevant)
• “No sale, no fee” options

Top tip: Make sure each quote is based on the same property type and sale details. Otherwise, it’s apples and oranges.

2. Check Accreditations

Look for:

• Solicitors regulated by the SRA
• Licensed conveyancers under the CLC
• Bonus: Accredited by the Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme

3. Read Reviews

Sites like Google Reviews and Trustpilot are goldmines.
Look for:

• How quickly they reply
• If clients had unexpected fees
• Whether they were proactive or just reactive

4. Ask About Communication

• Do they use portals, email or calls?
• Will you get a named point of contact?
• How do they update you — weekly or only when chased?

Test them: Call before hiring. If they’re vague or slow now, imagine what they’ll be like halfway through your sale.

5. Understand “No Sale, No Fee”

Sounds brilliant — but read the small print.
These deals often:

• Still charge disbursements (e.g. ID checks, searches)
• Require a small upfront fee for insurance cover

Still, it can save you hundreds if the sale collapses. Watch out for “abortive fees” where fees depend on the reason the sale fell through. Typically, a no sale no fee deal only applies if the deal collapsed because of the other party i.e. fees would still apply if you pull out.

How to Avoid Hidden Charges and Cheap Quote Traps

Ever seen a quote that looks too good to be true?

It probably is.

Here’s how to protect yourself:

1. Insist on a Full Quote Breakdown

Ask for:

• Legal fee (with VAT)
• Itemised disbursements
• Any leasehold or supplement fees
• Timescales per stage

If a solicitor won’t provide this? Walk away.

2. Watch for Made-Up Disbursements

Some firms sneak in fake “disbursements” that are really internal admin charges.

Red flags:

• Anything vague like “completion handling fee”
• Admin charges above £50

If in doubt — ask them to explain exactly what each line item covers.

Need a reliable and experienced property solicitor?

Get in touch with me and I’ll be happy to help. You can find my contact details here.

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If you sell your property to Property Rescue, They’ll pay a top notch solicitor on your behalf, so you don’t pay a penny in legal fees.

Property Rescue buy houses fast — no fees, no viewings, no waiting. Just a direct sale to them.

Solicitors? They work with some of the best in the game including Pannone Corporate.

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