When you sell your house, you will incur various costs. In addition to estate agent fees and any home staging costs, there are also notary fees when selling a house. Many sellers wonder: which notary fees do you pay yourself and which costs are borne by the buyer? In this article, we explain clearly how it works, what you pay on average and how you can save on notary fees when selling your home.
What solicitor's fees do you pay as a seller?
When selling a house, the buyer usually pays the largest solicitor's fees, such as the costs for the deed of transfer and registration with the Land Registry. As a seller, however, you pay specific solicitor's fees related to your mortgage and administration.
The most important notary fees for the seller are:
- Mortgage repayment costs (cancellation): € 150 – € 300
- Land Registry extract: € 50 – € 100
- Mortgage cancellation in the Land Registry: € 50 – € 150
- Notary administration costs: € 50 – € 200
In total, the notary fees for the seller are usually between € 200 and € 800, depending on your situation. Do you have multiple mortgages, residual debt or a complex financial structure? Then the costs may be higher.
What does the solicitor do when selling a property?
The solicitor ensures that:
- The seller's mortgage is repaid.
- The mortgage right is deleted from the Land Registry.
- The transfer of ownership is carried out in a legally correct manner.
- The bank and seller receive their money at the right time.
Without these actions, the property cannot be officially registered in the buyer's name.
Who pays the notary fees when selling a house?
In the Netherlands, the usual distribution is as follows:
The buyer pays:
Deed of transfer
Mortgage deed
Registration with the Land Registry
Transfer tax
The seller pays:
Mortgage repayment costs
Cancellation of mortgage
Administrative costs
This distribution is not laid down by law. The purchase contract specifies exactly who pays which costs. In a tight housing market, sellers sometimes incur additional costs in order to close a deal.
Can you save on notary fees as a seller?
Yes, you can definitely save on notary fees when selling your house. Here are some practical tips:
✔ Compare solicitors
Rates vary between solicitors' offices. By requesting quotes, you can sometimes save between € 100 and € 300.
✔ Arrange some matters yourself
You can request a land registry extract online yourself for a few pounds instead of € 50 – € 100 through the solicitor.
✔ Ensure your documents are complete on time
Documents submitted late can lead to additional administrative costs.
✔ Consider using the same solicitor as the buyer
Some solicitors offer a discount if both the buyer and seller use the same firm.
Please note: do not choose based on price alone. A good solicitor will prevent mistakes that could end up costing you extra money later on.
Additional costs when selling a property
In addition to notary fees, as a seller you may also have to pay:
- Costs for an energy label
- Municipal document costs
- Any penalty interest for early repayment of your mortgage
These costs are not included in the notary fees, but are part of the total costs of selling your property.
Conclusion: notary fees are transparent, but don't underestimate them!
The notary fees for selling your home are relatively limited compared to the total sale proceeds, but they can still amount to several hundred euro's. By comparing notaries and arranging some administrative matters yourself, you can keep control of the costs. It is advisable to discuss these matters with the estate agent!
Selling your property? At Koops Makelaardij, we guide you through the entire sales process, from valuation to key transfer. We are happy to help you choose a reliable and affordable solicitor who suits your situation.
Would you like to know what your total sales costs will be? Feel free to schedule a no-obligation sales consultation. We will then calculate this clearly for you.
