Solicitors Completion Statement

Hi all

Just after a bit of advice as we have received a provisional balance statement from our Spanish solicitor ahead of our completion next month

Solicitors fees €1307
Solicitors provision for any incoming payment (refundable) €300
Notary and land registry fees €1500
Stamp Duty 1%
Various : utility contracts, home insurance etc €1500

I have no issues with the majority of it (although think the solicitors fees seem a bit expensive) but I dont quite understand the €1500 'various'. In the enclosed notes it says these funds should be in your Spanish bank account to prevent an overdraft as you will be facing charges from the moment of completion. Why would this be of concern to the solicitor as surely we can settle utilities etc ourselves ? The figure is also included in the overall total or  'minimum amount to be transferred' to the solicitor. Why would we transfer this money to our solicitor and not our own bank account ?

Has anyone else paid a similar sum or can confirm the rationale ? 

Many thanks

Hi,

We've just returned from Spain after sorting out POA etc. Our solicitor strongly advised us to have a balance of around 1500 euros in our spanish bank account but emphasised that this was only their advice as spanish bank charges can be hefty and if your utilities are disconnected for non payment it is not straight forward to get them reconnected as a non resident. 

They are not depositing funds for us as we've already opened up an account with Bancaja and are dealing directly with them. Bancaja don't charge to deposit funds but I think some spanish banks do so it may be that your solicitor can help you avoid a charge(?)

The fees you have been quoted are on a par with us. Don't know if the solicitors fees are expensive but have to say that our solicitor has been great so more than happy to pay it.

Hope this helps.

Hi Russ and Louise

I would ask for a recount.

We were charged E700 solicitors fees, E1500 Notary and Land Registry and 1% stamp duty.

In the completion paperwork from Polaris was a form which we completed stating our solicitor would handle the above and authorising them to connect electricity and water.  We were advised this would be approximately E400 which we have left in our Banco Halifax Hispania account (if it still exists).

Good luck

Joe & Paddie

Joe  

Seems very high, My total is-

Hi Dan

Did you get your figures from PW, cos they seem a dam site cheaper than what I've been quoted.

I'm trying to work out what I'll definitely have to pay in the next week or so when we complete.  I'm currently trying to get hold of my solicitor but it would be easier trying to find Shergar!!

PW have given me all of their completion documents , and based on this and the info orginally provided by my solicitor me fees are as follows:-

Stamp Duty 1,423 euros
Notary and registry fees 1,700 euros (although only 1,400 euros if I don't ask PW to carry out the payments of stamp duty etc)
Solicitor fees 1,400 euros
Gestoria 175 euros

In addition, I will need to deposit approx 400 euros into my Spanish Bank account to pay for the utility connections whenever these occur.  I haven't heard anything from anybody bank or solicitor telling me that I need to have at least 1,500 euros in the account (although this may happen later).

Cheers

Simon

Hi Simon

My solicitor told me to ignore any figures PW sent me and what I posted was cut & pasted from a email by my solicitor, I have asked on 2 occasions if this is everything and he confirmed it is and I can even get the cheques prepared now to save me time on the day.

So I don't expect anything else, TBH I was quite pleased with them as they were a grand cheaper than I expected, so more money for Stella and a decent BBQ

Other fees etc may include any charges your bank may charge.  We had 900 euros debited as an arrangement fee.

Linda

Cheers Dan

if i can ever get my solicitor to answer an e-mail, I'll get him to confirm everything.

Simon