Conveyancing - do I have to use a £££ high street solictors?

[fastliving]

I'm changing the ownership of a house from joint to single owner (with a mortgage, following a divorce) just been quoted approx £1,000 for this by a high street solictors, surely it doesn't cost this much???

Try and online company, they’re usually a bit cheaper.

Is that just the fee or does it include the disbursements
I would get another couple of quotes ,and a personal recommendation
I would never use an on line service
To a large extent you get what you pay full

Presumeably as you are getting a mortgage it's really a new purchase isn't it?

I don't know what they call it, I don't have to pay stamp duty, so no, I don't think it is classed as a new purchase, more of a transfer of ex portion into my name.

You will be paying registration dues and search dues
Depending on value the registration dues can be quite pricey

Is it also a remortgage? Or are you staying with the same lender?

Also, will your ex be getting a charge, or a lump sum?

Not sure if it will be a re-mortgage with the same lender or I will move lenders.
The value of the house is approx £400k. Ex isn't getting anything because the house was bought & paid for by me so judge decided I should keep it.
Ex. kept different assets, of much higher value including property.
We went to court to divide things up.

The mortgage I will be taking on is £170,000.

Shop around if you think they’re charging you too much, but you tend to get what you pay for in that those who quote cheaper fees have far higher caseloads so take longer and are harder to get hold of.

SDLT is due on the debt you're taking on: www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/stamp-duty-land-tax-manual/sdltm00330a

Get a few quotes for fees.

Many lenders will accept no search insurance on a re-mortgage, which is much cheaper than doing the searches.