Conveyancing Costs Kent (2026 Guide)

When buying or selling property, understanding conveyancing costs in Kent is essential. Solicitor fees can vary depending on whether your property is leasehold, freehold, or part of a remortgage. Knowing what’s included in legal fees upfront can help you plan your budget and avoid unexpected expenses.

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What Are Conveyancing Costs?

Conveyancing costs are the legal fees paid to a solicitor or conveyancer to manage the legal side of buying or selling a home.
There are two parts to every quote:

Legal Fees – the solicitor’s work
Disbursements – third-party costs paid on your behalf

Our guide breaks down typical conveyancing fees in Kent, including solicitor charges, disbursements, and local authority searches. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, selling your home, or investing in a buy-to-let, we provide a clear overview of costs so you can make informed decisions.

Average Conveyancing Fees in Kent (2026)

Below is a realistic breakdown of typical fees charged by reputable Kent conveyancing solicitors. All prices exclude VAT.

Service	Average Fee (Kent)
Buying a freehold	£900 – £1,500
Selling a freehold	£800 – £1,300
Buying a leasehold	£1,200 – £1,900
Selling a leasehold	£1,100 – £1,700
Transfer of equity	£300 – £600
Gifted deposit handling	£50 – £150
Bank transfer fee	£20 – £50
AML checks	£10 – £25

Conveyancing Disbursements Explained

Disbursements are third-party costs your solicitor pays on your behalf. Here are the most common ones you will see on your quote:

Local Authority Search

£120–£300 depending on the Kent district council.

Land Registry Fee

£20–£305 depending on the property price.

ID and AML Checks

£10–£25 per person.

Bankruptcy Search

£2–£4 per person.

TT Fee

£20–£50 bank transfer fee.

Stamp Duty

Varies depending on purchase price. Calculated by your solicitor.

What Affects Conveyancing Fees?

Property value
Freehold vs leasehold
New build or shared ownership
Help to Buy / gifted deposits
Chain complexity
Lender requirements
Speed required
Experience level of solicitor

Why Do Conveyancing Fees Vary Between Solicitors?

No two solicitors charge exactly the same. Fees vary based on experience, workload, communication quality and local expertise.
Kent-based solicitors often provide smoother, faster transactions because they work daily with local councils and estate agents.

How to Get the Best Price Without Sacrificing Quality

Compare fixed-fee quotes
Avoid ultra-cheap call-centre conveyancers
Look for clear breakdowns of disbursements
Choose CQS-accredited solicitors
Prefer Kent-based professionals for local knowledge
Check for “no sale, no fee” options

Compare Conveyancing Costs from Qualified Kent Solicitors

Our tool instantly matches you with vetted, high-quality Kent solicitors — not call centres.
You’ll receive fixed-fee quotes direct to your inbox with no obligation to instruct.

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Conveyancing Costs Kent – Frequently Asked Questions

Conveyancing fees in Kent usually range from £750–£1,800 + VAT, depending on whether you are buying, selling or remortgaging. Final costs depend on property value, mortgage lender requirements, searches and whether the transaction is leasehold or freehold.

Prices differ because firms use different pricing models (fixed fee vs hourly), include or exclude certain disbursements, and vary in experience, workload and service level. Cheap quotes often hide additional extras that appear later in the process.

Our fees are fixed and transparent from the outset. We only adjust the cost if your instructions change – for example, a freehold purchase becomes a leasehold purchase, or if you add extra legal work such as a deed of trust.

A full conveyancing quote includes:

Solicitor’s legal fee
Searches
Land Registry fees
Bank transfer fees
Stamp Duty (if applicable)
ID / AML checks
VAT

We itemise every cost so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Disbursements are third-party fees your solicitor pays on your behalf, such as:

Local authority search: £120–£250
Water & drainage search: £50–£70
Environmental search: £50–£70
Land Registry fee: £20–£500 depending on property value
Bank TT fee: £20–£45

These costs are the same regardless of the solicitor you use.

Buying is usually more expensive than selling because of the extra legal work and searches. Expect £1,100–£1,800 + VAT including disbursements, depending on the property price and whether it’s leasehold.

Yes, if you are purchasing with a mortgage, searches are mandatory.
If you are a cash buyer, searches are optional but strongly recommended to protect you from hidden risks such as planning issues, contaminated land or road adoption problems.

Stamp Duty depends on your circumstances—first-time buyer, second home, investor etc.
We calculate your exact SDLT liability at the start so there are no surprises later.

Leasehold properties require extra checks, such as:

Reviewing the lease
Reviewing ground rent / service charge accounts
Liaising with the freeholder or managing agent
Checking planned works under Section 20 notices

Expect an additional £200–£600 + VAT.

Selling generally costs £750–£1,200 + VAT, because it involves less work than buying. There are no searches and fewer third-party costs.

Yes, an EPC is legally required before you put your property on the market. We can help arrange one if you don’t already have a valid certificate. HIVE EPCs is a highly rated local EPC provider.

Freeholders or managing agents often charge:

Leasehold sales packs
LPE1 forms
Management/administration fees

These range from £150–£500 and are charged by the freeholder, not your solicitor.

Remortgage fees are usually £450–£800 + VAT depending on lender requirements and whether leasehold enquiries are needed.

Some lenders accept search indemnity insurance (cheaper), while others require full searches. We confirm this with your lender at the outset.

You usually pay searches upfront and the remaining legal fees on completion. We provide a full breakdown early in the process.

This will depend on the terms and conditions offered by the conveyancer or solicitor instructed. Terms and conditions are laid out at the outset.

Generally no. Fixed fees remain fixed regardless of how long the transaction takes.

Not always. Many comparison sites exclude essential costs or add extras later.
Our quotes are generated manually, based on your actual property details, and include all fees upfront.

Generally no — all lender panel work is included as part of our standard fee however you will need to check the terms and conditions offered by the conveyancer or solicitor that you instruct.

You can reduce costs by:

Having your paperwork ready quickly
Completing ID checks immediately
Responding to enquiries promptly
Avoiding unnecessary delays from third parties
Highlighting any known issues with the land for example rights and restrictions

Efficient communication can reduce time and cost overall.

Conveyancing Costs in Kent