OUR FEES
In brief, we do not tie our fees to purchase price; they depend entirely on the actual work done. So they will reflect the complexity of the situation with title and the type and amount of work involved leading up to the public escritura in the notary's office and possibly beyond.
English-speaking law firms in south and east Spain will normally quote a minimum fee of around 1% of the purchase price but this can be expensive. Our experience over the last year suggests a standard fee of around 1,300 euros. Or roughly 870 pounds at current rates. This 1,300 euros would, of course, be 1% of a 130,000 purchase but more than 1% for a cheaper property and less than 1% for a costlier property. Below is a schedule which clarifies which elements are included in the what one might call the standard package at 1,300 euros. It is the Extra items which take it above this level. At the outset, it is impossible to know which of these will arise, either because of circumstances or because the client specifically requests extra work.
Any out-of-pocket expenses would be additional. The main item would be any travel necessary to make face-to-face enquiries at the local town hall.
Naturally, clients are free to terminate our services at any time, paying only for the work executed until then.
| Provision of services | Included/Excluded |
| Advising re the buying process [NIEs, Bank accounts, etc.] | Included |
| Advising re the legal process | Included |
| Advising re fees and taxes payable – on purchase and annually | Included |
| Making normal legal enquiries | Included |
| Making the admin enquiries – Restrictions/Planning permissions | Included |
| Making other enquiries – Roads, motorways, railways | Included |
| Negotiating the arras [Pre]Contract & deposit. [To secure the deal] | Included |
| Preparing the arras Contract | Included |
| Translating the Arras contract | Included |
| Negotiating and preparing the Escritura | Included |
| Obtaining copies of the Escritura for you | Included |
| Making any abnormal/extensive legal enquiries [Rural plots usually] | Extra |
| Obtaining any necessary powers of attorney | Extra |
| Arranging a survey | Extra |
| Translating a survey report | Extra |
| Translating Community Statutes. [If you live in a flat or on a development] | Extra |
| Obtaining an NIE | Extra |
| Arranging a bank account | Extra |
| Arranging a mortgage | Extra |
| Appointing a legal representative. [Necessary if you are non-resident] | Extra |
| Translating the escritura | Extra |
| Arranging utility connections [If not done by a gestor] | Extra |
| Enquiring re grants for a planned business | Extra |
| Chasing others – notary, gestor, legal rep. | Extra |
| Producing wills. [Done in conjunction with a notary] | Extra |
| Registering your property | Notary |
| Paying the taxes | Notary or gestor |
| Paying your notary, Registry and gestor bills | You |