Conveyancing Fees in London 2026: Flats and Houses Compared

Conveyancing fees in London are higher than anywhere else in England and Wales. That is partly a function of higher property values, but it is also because London has a uniquely complex property market: a higher proportion of leasehold flats, share-of- freehold arrangements, managing agent complications, and local authority search times that vary wildly between boroughs.

This guide breaks down what London sellers actually pay for conveyancing in 2026, with a detailed comparison of flat versus house costs, the leasehold extras you need to budget for, and how search times vary across different parts of the city. For a broader look at conveyancing costs across England and Wales, see our conveyancing costs breakdown guide.

What do conveyancing solicitors charge in London?

London conveyancing costs for sellers break down into the solicitor's professional fee and disbursements. Both tend to be higher in London than in other parts of the country.

Solicitor's professional fee

For a standard freehold sale in London, the solicitor's fee typically ranges from £1,500 to £2,500 plus VAT. For leasehold flats — which account for the majority of London property sales, particularly in inner London — expect to pay a leasehold supplement of £200 to £500 on top of the base fee.

Properties above £1,000,000 often attract a further supplement of £200 to £500, as solicitors face increased professional indemnity risk on high-value transactions. In prime central London (Kensington, Chelsea, Westminster), fees of £3,000 to £5,000 plus VAT are not unusual.

Disbursements for sellers

Seller disbursements in London typically total £150 to £500 and include:

• Official copy title documents: £6 to £12 per document from the Land Registry
• Bank transfer fees (CHAPS): £30 to £55 per transfer, usually two needed — see our bank transfer fee guide
• ID verification: £6 to £25 per person
• Indemnity insurance (if required): £20 to £400 — see our indemnity insurance guide

For a full explanation of each disbursement, see our disbursements explained guide.

Flat vs house: conveyancing cost comparison

The biggest cost difference for London sellers is between leasehold flats and freehold houses. Here is how the total conveyancing cost compares:

The key differences are the leasehold supplement on the solicitor's fee (£200 to £500) and the management pack (£200 to £500), which is payable to the freeholder or managing agent — not to your solicitor. Share-of-freehold flats are the most expensive to conveyance because your solicitor handles the transfer of both the leasehold interest and the company share.

Leasehold extras: what London flat sellers need to know

If you are selling a leasehold flat in London, several additional costs and complexities apply beyond a straightforward freehold sale:

Management pack

Your managing agent or freeholder will charge for a management information pack, which the buyer's solicitor needs in order to review the lease terms, service charge accounts, building insurance, and any planned major works. In London, management pack fees typically range from £200 to £500, though some managing agents charge significantly more. This cost is usually borne by the seller.

Lease length

If your lease has fewer than 80 years remaining, it can significantly affect the saleability and value of your flat. Buyers' mortgage lenders often refuse to lend on leases below 70 to 80 years, and the cost of extending the lease increases sharply once it drops below 80 years due to "marriage value" provisions. If you are selling a short- lease flat, your solicitor may recommend arranging a lease extension before marketing — or serving a Section 42 notice to protect the buyer's right to extend. Either approach adds legal cost and time.

Ground rent and service charge arrears

Your solicitor must confirm that all ground rent and service charges are up to date before completion. If there are arrears, these must be cleared from the sale proceeds. The buyer's solicitor will request a completion statement from the managing agent showing the exact amounts due, which can add a few days to the process.

Share of freehold

If your flat has a share of freehold, your solicitor needs to handle the transfer of your share in the freehold company as well as the leasehold transfer. This involves preparing a stock transfer form, notifying the company, and ensuring the buyer's name is entered on the share register. It typically adds £100 to £300 to the conveyancing fee.

Borough-by-borough local authority search times

Local authority searches are the buyer's cost, but the turnaround time affects how quickly your sale completes. London borough search times vary enormously:

Inner London boroughs with high transaction volumes tend to be the slowest. Personal searches through private providers can return results in 24 to 48 hours regardless of borough, but not all mortgage lenders accept them. The buyer's solicitor will decide which route to take. For more on how property searches work, see our property searches explained guide.

London solicitors vs online conveyancers

London sellers have a particularly wide range of conveyancing providers, from specialist central London firms to national online conveyancers. Here is how they compare:

For a freehold house in an outer London borough like Bromley, Croydon, or Havering, an online conveyancer can save £500 to £1,000 without a meaningful drop in quality. For a leasehold flat in inner London — especially one with a share of freehold, a difficult managing agent, or a short lease — a London-based solicitor's specialist knowledge is usually worth the extra cost.

Always verify that any firm is regulated by the SRA or CLC. Our guide on how to instruct a solicitor for selling explains what to look for when comparing firms.

What affects conveyancing costs in London?

Several factors specific to the London market can push your conveyancing bill higher:

Property value

Many London solicitors use tiered pricing based on the sale price. A property valued at £500,000 to £1,000,000 may attract a supplement of £150 to £300 over the base fee. Properties above £1,000,000 can attract supplements of £300 to £500 or more. In prime central London, where average prices exceed £1,500,000, conveyancing fees of £3,000 to £5,000 plus VAT are standard.

Leasehold vs freehold

Approximately 40% of all homes sold in London are leasehold flats. In inner London boroughs like Camden, Islington, and Hackney, the proportion is even higher. The leasehold supplement (£200 to £500) and management pack (£200 to £500) are costs that most London sellers cannot avoid.

Share of freehold

Share-of-freehold arrangements are particularly common in London, especially in converted Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses. The additional work of transferring the freehold company share adds £100 to £300 to the bill. If the freehold company has complex articles of association or outstanding financial obligations, the cost can be higher.

Title complexity

London properties frequently have complex title histories: restrictive covenants dating back decades, unregistered interests, party wall issues, and rights of light. Your solicitor may need to investigate these and, in some cases, arrange indemnity insurance to protect the buyer. Additional work on title issues can add £200 to £800 to the bill.

Common London conveyancing issues that add cost

• Short leases: Flats with fewer than 80 years remaining on the lease are increasingly common in London and can require expensive lease extensions or careful negotiation with buyers.
• Cladding and fire safety: Post-Grenfell regulations mean many London apartment blocks require an EWS1 form (external wall fire review). If your building does not have one, or if the form reveals issues, this can delay or complicate the sale significantly.
• Basement extensions and party walls: Many London properties have been extended into basements. Your solicitor needs to verify that proper planning permission, building regulations sign-off, and party wall agreements are in place.
• Conservation areas and listed buildings: London has hundreds of conservation areas. Properties within them or with listed building status face additional restrictions that can generate buyer enquiries and require more solicitor time.
• Crossrail 2 and HS2 safeguarding zones: Some London properties fall within safeguarding zones for future transport infrastructure, which can generate additional enquiries from the buyer's side.
• Chancel repair liability: Although rare in London, some properties carry chancel repair liability, which requires indemnity insurance costing £15 to £50.

How to reduce your conveyancing costs in London

1. Get at least three quotes. Even in London's expensive legal market, there is significant price variation. Comparing quotes from a mix of local firms and online conveyancers gives you a realistic picture of costs.
2. Consider an online conveyancer for simple sales. If you are selling a freehold house in outer London, an online conveyancer at £800 to £1,500 plus VAT can deliver the same legal outcome as a £2,500 local firm.
3. Prepare your paperwork early. Completing your TA6, TA10, and TA7 (if leasehold) forms before accepting an offer reduces your solicitor's workload and can prevent additional charges.
4. Order the management pack early. If you are selling a leasehold flat, request the management pack from your freeholder or managing agent as soon as you decide to sell. Managing agents can take 2 to 4 weeks to produce the pack, and delays here hold up the entire transaction.
5. Bundle sale and purchase. If you are selling one London property and buying another, some solicitors offer a discount of £200 to £500 for handling both transactions.
6. Instruct before listing. Appointing a solicitor before your property goes on the market gives them time to identify and resolve title issues early. See our guide on how to instruct a solicitor.

How Pine helps London sellers save time and money

London property sales take longer than the national average — typically 14 to 20 weeks from offer to completion. Every extra week costs you in mortgage payments, chain risk, and stress. Pine helps London sellers get sale-ready before listing by guiding you through your TA6 and TA10 property information forms with AI-assisted support, and ordering property searches at near-trade prices.

By having your legal paperwork prepared before you accept an offer, you reduce the risk of additional enquiries from the buyer's solicitor, speed up the process, and minimise the chance of unexpected charges. For leasehold flats, ordering your management pack early and completing your TA7 form in advance can save weeks off the overall timeline.

Sources and further reading

• Conveyancing Fees: What to Expect (HomeOwners Alliance)
• Transparency in Price and Service (Solicitors Regulation Authority)
• UK House Price Index (ONS)
• Lease Extension Information (LEASE — Leasehold Advisory Service)
• Building Safety Act 2022 (GOV.UK)
• Solicitor Fees When Selling a House (Compare My Move)

Related guides

• Conveyancing Fees & Costs Breakdown 2026
• Solicitor Fees for Selling a House
• Bank Transfer Fee in Conveyancing
• Disbursements Explained
• How Much Does It Cost to Sell a House in 2026?

Frequently asked questions