Transfer of Equity Costs 2023
Transfer of equity can cost up to £5,298 plus 1%-5% of the property value, depending on the circumstances. The total amount you will have to pay can differ if you have a mortgage as well as the equity value.
The transfer of equity process is a change in the co-ownership status of a property. It means that a party is added or removed from the deeds of a property. This means that the ownership of the property has been altered from a legal perspective.
It’s important to note that property transfers are different from property sales. Transfer of property ownership is different from the sale of property as at least one of the original owners of the property will stay the same. However, it is still a legal process that should be carried out by an appropriately qualified solicitor.
In this guide, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know about the transfer of equity costs. We’ll also discuss the process involved. This will allow you to proceed with your transfer of equity with confidence.
Here are the transfer of equity costs, based on the average UK house price of £277,000:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Solicitor fees | £540 |
| Anti-money laundering checks | £5 |
| Bank transfer fee | £40 |
| Land registry fees | £438 |
| Freeholder consent | Up to £250 |
| Stamp duty | £3,850 |
| Remortgage | £175 plus 1%-5% of property value |
| Total | £5,298 plus 1%-5% of the property value |
Costs taken from our Average Conveyancing Fees data
1. Solicitor Fee
The transfer of equity fee costs £540 on average and is applied on top of your solicitor’s legal fees. This covers the extra paperwork and time involved. For example, the TR1 Form is one of the many documents your solicitor will need to fill out and submit on your behalf.
The total fee is determined by the market value and complexity of the case. The average solicitor fees when buying a property are £1,340 and £1,270 when selling a property. There may be other legal fees and disbursements that your solicitor charges, so it’s essential to ask for a full breakdown of the total cost.
2. Anti-Money Laundering Checks
Anti-money laundering checks cost £5 and are also known as identity checks. These online ID checks will verify funds and ensure the money is legitimate. This is typically carried out by your solicitor.
Read more about Money Laundering Checks When Buying a House
3. Bank Transfer Fee
Bank transfer fees cost around £40 on average. They may be referred to as the CHAPS fee. This is for transfers that exceed £60,000.
4. Land Registry
Registering with the Land Registry costs approximately £438. Regardless of the situation, the new owner will need to register with the Land Registry in order to receive an official copy of the legal title deeds.
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5. Freeholder Consent
Those requiring freeholder consent can be expected to pay an average of up to £250. This charge is applicable for those transferring equity in leasehold properties. The total amount differs depending on the freeholder.
6. Stamp Duty
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) may be payable in some circumstances and costs £3,580 on average. If stamp duty is owed, this is known as chargeable consideration and is dependent on the nature of the equity transfer. Chargeable consideration includes the equity being transferred and the mortgage debt value. In most cases, Stamp Duty is likely to be the largest cost payable.
If you are adding a new partner or spouse following a civil partnership or marriage, you will have to pay Stamp Duty on transactions higher than £60,000. It is also payable in some cases of joint ownership.
On the other hand, is the transfer a gift (i.e. from a parent to a child), or if half the property is split equally between two people, SDLT is not payable. If a couple is divorcing or dividing property in accordance with a court order, there won’t be any stamp duty to pay.
Stamp Duty may also be avoided if both parties come to a private agreement.
Use our Stamp Duty Calculator to find out how much you have to pay
7. Remortgaging
Remortgaging transfers cost approximately £175 plus 1-5% of the property value. Any credit agreement is likely to come with a fee, which is why an outstanding mortgage could add to your total costs.
You will need to receive your lender’s consent before proceeding with the equity transfer. This also applies in cases when parties have separate legal representation.
Bear in mind that not all mortgage lenders will allow the transfer of equity process to go ahead if you have a mortgage on the property.
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Do Solicitors Charge More for Transfer of Equity?
Solicitors charge more for transfer of equity cases due to the amount of paperwork involved. It can be highly complex, so hiring conveyancing solicitors for transfer of equity procedures is essential.
Your solicitor will provide you with legal advice throughout the process. They will consider the reasons you are transferring equity such as legal separation or tax purposes. They will ensure the correct legal documentation is submitted. They will also ensure that the transfer deed and title deeds are correctly transferred with minimal delay.
The cost can also be impacted by the value of the property. The more expensive the property is, the higher the solicitor’s fees will be.
Use our Conveyancing Fees Calculator for an estimated cost
Finding a Conveyancer
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All our conveyancing partners are verified by our team. They must be members of one of the following regulatory bodies:
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
- Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
- Law Society of Scotland (LSS)
- Law Society of Northern Ireland (LSNI)
- Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)
You can also ask your friends and family for recommendations if they have recently required legal work. Always read online reviews before instructing your solicitor if this is the case.
