onthemoov • England & Wales
Conveyancing disbursements explained
Disbursements are costs your legal provider pays to other organisations on your behalf. Read them separately from the legal fee, VAT and any service charges so you can compare the full cost of your move.
Free quote. No obligation to instruct.
Legal fees, disbursements and service charges
Your legal fee pays for the conveyancing work. Disbursements are payments to third parties. A quotation may also list administrative or service fees, such as file opening or bank-transfer charges. A heading alone does not tell you whether a charge is a third-party cost: ask what it covers and whether VAT applies.
| Cost | What to check |
|---|---|
| Property searches | Which searches are included, whether further searches may be needed and when payment is required. |
| HM Land Registry fees | Whether the registration fee and title-document charges are listed separately. The registration fee depends on the application. |
| Bank transfer and identity checks | Whether charges are per transfer or per person, who receives payment and whether VAT is included. |
| Leasehold charges | Ask about management information, notices, certificates and other landlord or managing-agent charges. |
| Property transaction tax | Check whether any tax estimate is included in the displayed total or needs a separate budget. The tax rules depend on where the property is. |
Why two quotes can show different totals
One quote may include a search pack, while another lists it as an additional payment. One may assume a single buyer and another two. Mortgage work, leasehold work, gifted deposits or a new build can also affect the legal work and charges.
Compare quotations using the same property price, tenure, number of buyers and mortgage details. Ask for the total including VAT, the amount due upfront and a list of exclusions.
What happens if the move falls through?
No sale, no legal fee does not automatically mean every payment is refunded. Search costs and other third-party expenses already incurred may remain payable. Check your selected package and the legal provider’s terms before instructing.
Read what no sale, no legal fee covers and check the search-fee guarantee.
A checklist before you instruct
- Check the legal fee and VAT separately.
- Confirm the listed disbursements and service fees.
- Ask which costs are estimates, excluded or payable later.
- Declare leasehold, mortgage, donor and new-build details.
- Keep the written quotation and relevant package terms.
For a worked price comparison, see our guide to comparing conveyancing quotes.
Your questions, answered
Are disbursements included in a fixed legal fee?
Not necessarily. Check the written quotation: a fixed legal fee and the total transaction cost are different figures.
Do I pay VAT on every disbursement?
VAT treatment depends on the charge. Use the itemised quotation and ask the legal provider to clarify any unclear entry.
Do sellers pay for the buyer’s searches?
Searches are normally arranged for the buyer. Sellers can still have title-document costs and, for leasehold properties, information-pack or landlord charges.
Ready for your next moov?
Tell us about your property and transaction so you can review the relevant legal fees and listed costs.
onthemoov is a conveyancing broker. An independent SRA-regulated solicitor or CLC-regulated licensed conveyancer carries out your legal work. Your quotation, chosen package and applicable terms explain the scope and charges. This guide is general information, not advice on your individual transaction.
Useful source: GOV.UK: buying a home and searches
Conveyancing costs · Leasehold conveyancing · No sale, no legal fee
