When Do You Pay Solicitors Fees Buying a House

Buying a house involves several costs, and solicitor’s fees are one of the most important. These fees cover the legal work required to complete the purchase, including searches, contracts and registration with HM Land Registry. A common question for buyers is when these fees need to be paid. The timing of payments varies, but most solicitors will request money in stages rather than requiring the full fee upfront.

Initial Payments on Account

At the start of the conveyancing process, most solicitors ask for a payment on account. This is a sum of money, usually a few hundred pounds, which is used to cover the cost of early expenses such as searches and official documents. This ensures the solicitor is not out of pocket while progressing your case and allows them to begin work immediately. The payment on account is deducted from the final bill at the end of the transaction.

Payment During the Process

As the transaction progresses, your solicitor may request further payments to cover specific disbursements such as local authority searches, environmental checks or Land Registry fees. These costs are usually passed on at cost, meaning the solicitor does not profit from them but simply collects the money in order to pay third parties on your behalf. You will always be informed in advance of what these disbursements are likely to be.

Final Payment on Completion

The bulk of your solicitor’s legal fee is paid on completion of the property purchase. This is the day when the purchase funds are transferred to the seller’s solicitor and ownership of the property passes to you. Your solicitor will provide a completion statement that sets out the total money required, including the balance of their fees, disbursements, the purchase price and Stamp Duty Land Tax if applicable. You will be asked to transfer the required funds to your solicitor shortly before completion so that everything is in place for the transaction to finalise.

Why Fees Are Structured This Way

Solicitors structure their fees in stages to protect both themselves and the client. By requesting an initial payment, they can begin work immediately without risk of unpaid costs. By deferring the bulk of the fee until completion, they give clients reassurance that they only pay once the purchase is successfully concluded. This approach also helps clients manage their finances, as they do not have to pay the entire bill upfront while still covering necessary expenses along the way.

Conclusion

Solicitor’s fees when buying a house are usually paid in two stages. An initial payment on account covers searches and early disbursements, while the final balance is paid on completion alongside the purchase funds. This staged approach ensures that the legal process is properly funded without requiring buyers to pay the full amount until the transaction is complete.