Conveyancing costs hit a record high in Q1 of 2025, rising 11.9% compared to the same period last year, according to data from reallymoving.
The average combined cost for sale and purchase reached £2,434, following a 16% increase in the previous quarter, as buyers rushed to meet the Stamp Duty deadline.
Quarterly cost increases outpaced inflation by 1.6% and were 8.8% higher than a year ago, rising to £1,874.
Additionally, conveyancing prices went up in every UK region apart from the South West and Yorkshire & the Humber, which saw quarterly falls of 2.6% and 0.4% respectively.
The North East had the biggest increase at 6.5%, with Northern Ireland close behind at 6.2%.
In London, costs rose by 1.5% compared to the previous quarter.
Rob Houghton, co-founder and CEO of reallymoving, said: “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.”
