Thank You
Thank you for contacting Vardags.
We will be in touch shortly.
If you need to speak to us immediately, our confidential enquiry line on
020 7404 9390
is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
The expert property lawyers at Vardags represent clients seeking to mortgage luxury houses and flats in London and beyond, with loan values typically £2m-£25m+. Each client is unique, and we pride ourselves on our bespoke service, placing their wishes at the very centre of the process.
We act for borrowers and mortgage lenders and, where permitted, act for both in the same transaction. Where we represent just one party, and the other has separate legal representation, we work collaboratively with the other’s solicitors so as to ensure that the mortgage completes as quickly as possible.
We offer a free consultation to qualifying individuals. Please call our confidential enquiry line on 020 7404 9390 or email us. Lines are staffed 24 hours.
Jo Eccles, Managing Director, SP Property Group
Alex Stroud, Property Consultant
We will contact you to arrange a consultation at a time to suit you.
We will always treat your information in complete confidence.
You can always call us on:
020 7404 9390
Phone lines are open 24 hours.
Thank you for contacting Vardags.
We will be in touch shortly.
If you need to speak to us immediately, our confidential enquiry line on
020 7404 9390
is staffed 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Sales and Purchases
Vardags is a premium law firm representing high and ultra-high net worth individuals. We provide a Director-led service which is specifically tailored to each client’s individual circumstances and needs. Our lawyers are experts on the law and the property market, and are first-class negotiators. They are dedicated, proactive and efficient.
We understand that our clients want us to get the deal done, and we deliver.
Our fees
As our clients receive a truly bespoke service, giving precise information on the level of our costs can often be challenging. The cost of every transaction depends on various factors, including: the circumstances and requirements of our clients; the complexity of our instructions; the nature of the property and the transaction; the value of the property; the nature of our dealings with any third parties involved; the levels of experience of the lawyers involved; and the time they spend.
The following provides an approximate guide to our estimated fees when we act on a standard purchase or a standard sale of either a freehold or leasehold property. All prices are exclusive of VAT (currently 20%).
Sale/Purchase Price |
Freehold Legal Fees |
Leasehold Legal Fees |
Up to £2m |
£2,000 to £4,000 |
£2,500 to £4,500 |
£2m – £4m |
£4,000 to £6,000 |
£4,500 to £6,500 |
£4m - £5m |
£6,000 to £7,000 |
£6,500 to £7,500 |
£5m+ |
0.15% up to £5m plus 0.125% above £5m |
0.15% up to £5m plus 0.125% above £5m |
The above guide assumes that:
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties and which are in addition to our fees above. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The following provides a guide to the approximate cost of the usual disbursements incurred in a standard sale or purchase of a freehold or leasehold property.
Disbursement |
Purchase |
Sale |
HM Land Registry Title Documents |
£3-10 per document |
£3-£10 per document |
HM Land Registry Priority Search |
£3 per title |
N/A |
HM Land Registry Bankruptcy Search |
£3 per name |
N/A |
Property Searches |
£300 - £500 (+VAT) |
N/A |
Planning documents |
£10-12 per document |
£10-12 per document |
Land Registration Fee |
£20 - £910 (depending on property value) |
N/A |
Telegraphic Transfer Fee |
£20 (+VAT) |
£20 (+VAT) |
Indemnity Insurance Policy |
Various |
Various |
If the property is leasehold, there may be additional disbursements arising from the terms of the lease. We will be able to provide you further information on such disbursements once we have had sight of the documents and made necessary enquiries. However, the following provides a guide to the likely costs of the most frequently encountered leasehold-specific disbursements.
Disbursement |
Purchase |
Sale |
Landlord/Managing Agent Enquiries |
N/A |
£300 - £500 (+VAT) |
Licence to Assign |
N/A |
£250 - £1,000 (+VAT) |
Deed of Covenant |
£250 |
N/A |
Notice of Transfer |
£75 (+VAT) |
N/A |
Notice of Charge |
£75 (+VAT) |
N/A |
Share Transfer Registration |
£100 (+VAT) |
N/A |
Certificate of Compliance |
£75 (+VAT) |
N/A |
These costs vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the amounts given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.
You should also be aware that, where the property is leasehold, ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.
Stamp Duty or Land Tax (on purchase)
This depends on the purchase price of your property. You can calculate the amount you will need to pay by using HMRC's website or if the property is located in Wales by using the Welsh Revenue Authority's website.
Stages of the buying process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to note:
How long will my house purchase take?
How long it will take from your offer being accepted until you can move in to your house will depend on a number of factors. A typical transaction can often take between 2-3 months but can be quicker or slower, depending on the requirements of the parties involved.
Mortgaging pricing information
Vardags is a premium law firm representing high and ultra-high net worth individuals and mortgage lenders. We provide a Director-lead service which is specifically tailored to meet each client’s individual circumstances and needs. Our lawyers are dedicated, proactive and efficient.
We understand that our clients want us to get the deal done, and we deliver.
Our fees
As our clients receive a truly bespoke service, giving precise information on the level of our costs can often be challenging. The cost of every transaction depends on various factors, including: the circumstances and requirements of our clients; the complexity of our instructions; the nature of the property; the value of the loan; the nature of our dealings with any third parties involved; the levels of experience of the lawyers involved; and the time they spend.
The following provides an approximate guide to our estimated fees when we act for a borrower on a standard mortgage of a freehold or leasehold property. All prices are exclusive of VAT (currently 20%).
Loan Amount |
Freehold Legal Fees |
Leasehold Legal Fees |
Up to £1m |
£1,000 to £1,500 |
£1,250 to £1,750 |
£1m - £2m |
£1,500 to £2,500 |
£1,750 to £2,250 |
£2m – £3m |
£2,000 to £3,000 |
£2,250 to £3,250 |
£3m - £4m |
£3,000 to £4,000 |
£3,250 to £4,250 |
£4m - £5m |
£4,000 to £5,000 |
£4,250 to £5,000 |
£5m+ |
0.1% up to £5m plus 0.075% above £5m |
0.1% up to £5m plus 0.075 % above £5m |
The above guide assumes that:
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties and which are in addition to our fees above. We handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process. The following provides a guide to the approximate cost of the usual disbursements incurred in a standard mortgage of a freehold or leasehold property.
Disbursement |
Freehold |
Leasehold |
HM Land Registry Title Documents |
£3-10 per document |
£3-£10 per document |
HM Land Registry Priority Search |
£3 per title |
£3 per title |
HM Land Registry Bankruptcy Search |
£3 per name |
£3 per name |
Property Searches |
£300 - £500 (+VAT) |
£300 - £500 (+VAT) |
Land Registration Fee |
£20 - £125 (depending on loan amount) |
£20 - £125 (depending on loan amount) |
Telegraphic Transfer Fee |
£20 (+VAT) |
£20 (+VAT) |
Indemnity Insurance Policy |
Various |
Various |
Independent Legal Advice |
£250-750 (+VAT) |
£250-750 (+VAT) |
If the property is leasehold, there may be additional disbursements arising from the terms of the lease. We will be able to provide you further information on such disbursements once we have had sight of the documents and made necessary enquiries. However, the following provides a guide to the likely costs of the most frequently encountered leasehold-specific disbursements.
Disbursement |
Leasehold |
Landlord/Managing Agent Enquiries |
£250 - £500 |
Notice of Charge |
£75 (+VAT) |
Certificate of Compliance |
£75 (+VAT) |
These costs vary from property to property and can on occasion be significantly more than the amounts given above. We can give you an accurate figure once we have sight of your specific documents.
You should also be aware that, where the property is leasehold, ground rent and service charge are likely to apply throughout your ownership of the property. We will confirm the ground rent and the anticipated service charge as soon as this we receive this information.
Stages of the mortgaging process
The precise stages involved in the purchase of a residential property vary according to the circumstances. However, below we have suggested some key stages that you may wish to note:
How long will my mortgage take?
How long it will take depends on various factors including: the speed it takes for your mortgage offer to be issued and the time it takes for searches to be received and enquiries answered. A typical transaction can often take between 3-6 weeks but can be quicker or slower, depending on the circumstances.
Example Financial Statement
Remortgage of A Freehold House
All figures GBP
New Mortgage Loan Amount | 1,000,000 | |
Minus | ||
Redemption of Existing Mortgage | 750,000 | |
Land Registration Fee | 60 | |
Title Documents | 6 | |
Property Searches | 600 | |
Priority Search | 3 | |
Bankruptcy Search | 3 | |
Vardags Fees (incl. VAT) | 1,800 | |
Telegraphic Transfer Fee | 24 | 752,496 |
Balance Due to You | 247,504 |