Legal Advice for Buy-to-Let Purchases, Sales and Portfolio Landlords

The buy-to-let work we handle

We act on the full range of buy-to-let conveyancing, including purchases of freehold and leasehold investment property, sales (including sales of tenanted property with sitting tenants in place), remortgages of existing buy-to-let properties, purchases through limited companies and special purpose vehicles (SPVs), and transfers of equity where an investment property is being moved between owners. Whether you are a first-time landlord or an experienced portfolio investor, we bring the same care and attention to detail.

The legal process

For purchases, we handle all the usual conveyancing steps: reviewing the contract and title, raising and dealing with enquiries, carrying out searches, liaising with your lender, submitting your Stamp Duty return, and registering your ownership at HM Land Registry. For sales, we prepare the contract pack, deal with the buyer’s enquiries, and manage the completion and Land Registry side of things. For remortgages, we act on the legal work between your existing and new lender, redeeming the old charge and registering the new one. Where the property is tenanted, we will need to see the tenancy agreement, deposit protection paperwork, and any correspondence with the tenant, and we will make sure everything is properly documented for completion.

Our fees

Our fixed legal fees for buy-to-let matters follow the same headline pricing as our residential work, with the same leasehold supplement where applicable:

• Up to £125,000: £595 + VAT
• £125,001 to £250,000: £695 + VAT
• £250,001 to £1,000,000: £795 + VAT
• Leasehold supplement: £100 + VAT (where the property is leasehold)

VAT is charged at the prevailing rate (currently 20%). Disbursements payable to third parties (such as Land Registry fees, search fees, electronic transfer fees and AML identity checks) are charged in addition. The full breakdown sits on our Conveyancing Pricing page, and we will confirm your individual quote, including all disbursements, before we begin.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Buy-to-let and investment purchases are typically charged at the higher rate of Stamp Duty Land Tax that applies to the purchase of an additional dwelling. The exact amount depends on the price, your circumstances and current rates. We will calculate the SDLT due on your transaction at the outset, factor it into your completion statement, and submit the return to HMRC on your behalf at completion. For tax planning advice (including whether to buy personally or through a limited company), please speak to your accountant.

Tax advice

Any conveyancing work we do for you may have tax implications or require you to consider tax planning strategies. We are not qualified to advise on the specific tax implications of any matter you instruct us to deal with, or on the likelihood of them arising. You must seek your own tax advice, whether from an accountant or a specialist tax adviser, before making decisions that could affect your tax position.

How long does it take?

Most buy-to-let purchases complete within eight to sixteen weeks of instruction, depending on whether you are in a chain, your lender’s processing times, search turnaround, and the complexity of the title. Cash purchases or purchases of vacant property tend to be quicker. Sales of tenanted property can take longer where the buyer needs the property sold with vacant possession. Purchases through a limited company can add a little time due to lender panel rules and additional documentation. We will give you a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you posted as the matter progresses.

Things to be aware of

Investment property comes with a few wrinkles worth knowing about up front. If the property is leasehold, the lease may restrict subletting or require the freeholder’s consent before the property can be let out, and there may be ground rent or service charges that affect your yield. If you are buying with sitting tenants, we will need to see the tenancy agreement and any deposit protection paperwork, and your lender may have specific requirements about the tenancy that need to be met. And if you are buying through a limited company, your lender’s panel rules and additional documentation requirements can add a little time to the process.

Speak to our conveyancing team

• Get a clear, fixed-fee quote before you commit
• Have your investment purchase or sale handled by an experienced team
• Move things forward without fuss, whether you are starting out or growing a portfolio