A firm of licensed conveyancers, both partners of which are solicitors, has quoted me £125 + v.a.t. for completing on line HMRC form SDLT1. According to the HMRC website, this form can be completed by anyone in 10 minutes. A comprehensive guide to its completion is provided on line.
When I queried this with them they offered to reduce it to £100 but this still seems to me to be excessive remuneration for a few minutes work. In any case, why is this not included in their legal fees as most mortgagors insist that the payment of SDLT is done by a solicitor.