Conveyancing fees have reached a record high of £2,434 for combined sale and purchase, driven by intensified demand and urgency to complete transactions ahead of the stamp duty changes, according to new data.

A 11.9% year-on-year increase in costs was reported between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025, based on an analysis of 59,000 conveyancing quotes by home moving platform reallymoving. Adjusted for inflation, the annual rise stands at 8.8%, with the average fee recorded at £1,874.

On a quarterly basis, conveyancing costs rose by 2.2% in Q1 2025 compared to Q4 2024. Of the 12 regions analysed, 10 saw price increases, with the North East experiencing the steepest rise at 6.5%. In contrast, costs declined in the South West and Yorkshire and the Humber, by 2.6% and 0.4% respectively.

Rob Houghton, co-founder and CEO of reallymoving, commented:

“The conveyancing industry is breathing a sigh of relief after working flat out for six months leading up to the stamp duty deadline. This surge in demand, combined with the pressure of time-sensitive transactions and the fact that many firms are currently understaffed, pushed the cost of conveyancing to record levels – but this growth may not be sustainable long-term if buyer demand softens.”

The figures are part of the Conveyancing Costs Index, which tracks the average legal fees paid by home movers across the UK and monitors how these costs evolve over time. The index includes all expenses and disbursements for both sale and purchase transactions.

Source: Juliet Shaw, Today's Conveyancer