How Much Does an ILA Certificate Cost in the UK?

If a mortgage lender, bank or solicitor has told you that you need an Independent Legal Advice (ILA) certificate, your first question is usually the same: how much is this going to cost, and how quickly can I get it done? The good news is that ILA is one of the few legal services where the price can be genuinely simple. This guide explains what you should expect to pay in the UK, what actually affects the price, and what a fixed fee should include.

The short answer: fixed fees from £150 per person

At ILA Hub, every appointment is a fixed fee per person, agreed before you book. There are three tiers, and the only difference between them is how soon your video appointment takes place — not the quality of the advice and not how quickly you receive your certificate:

• Standard — £150 per person. Appointment within 2-3 working days.
• Fast Track — £250 per person. Appointment from the next working day.
• Priority Same-Day — £350 per person. The earliest available appointment, including the same day where slots allow.

On every tier, your signed certificate is emailed the same working day as your appointment. Paying more never buys a faster certificate — it only buys an earlier appointment. You can see the full breakdown on our pricing page.

What does the fixed fee include?

A meaningful fixed fee should cover the whole process, with nothing to add on later. At ILA Hub the fee includes:

• Review of your documents by a legal adviser before the appointment
• Online ID verification — nothing to print, post or take to a branch
• A private, secure video appointment (Mon-Fri, 9am to 7pm) where the adviser explains the document, your obligations and the risks in plain English
• The signed ILA certificate, emailed to you (and your solicitor or broker if you wish) the same working day
• Completion of a lender's own certificate template where one is required — just email it to info@ilahub.com

Certificates are prepared to satisfy standard lender requirements and are relied on by borrowers completing with major UK lenders. If your lender has issued its own form, we complete that form for you at no extra charge.

What affects the cost — and what doesn't

Speed of appointment

This is the only thing that changes the price at ILA Hub. An urgent, same-day slot costs more than one booked a few days ahead, for the simple reason that urgent capacity has to be held open. The advice itself is identical on every tier.

Number of people

ILA exists to protect each individual signer. The law expects each person taking on a liability — a guarantor, a spouse signing an occupier consent, a director giving a personal guarantee — to receive advice that is genuinely independent, so they understand what they are signing free from pressure or misunderstanding. That principle, confirmed by the courts in cases about guarantees and third-party charges, is why fees are charged per person: each signer gets their own advice and their own certificate.

Size of the transaction

Our fixed fees apply to loans, facilities and guarantees up to £2,000,000. Above that, matters are arranged individually — contact us and we will confirm a fee before you commit to anything.

What doesn't affect the cost

Location makes no difference — appointments are by secure video call anywhere in the UK. Document type generally makes no difference either: an occupier waiver, a personal guarantee, a bridging loan declaration or a transfer of equity all fall under the same fixed fees. If your document is unusual, our independent legal advice for other documents page explains how we handle less common matters.

Why a fixed fee beats an hourly rate for ILA

Traditional firms often quote an hourly rate, which leaves you guessing at the final bill — and ILA is usually needed at exactly the moment a transaction is time-pressured and stressful. A fixed fee means you know the total before you book, there is nothing extra for the ID check or the certificate, and you can compare providers honestly. It also removes any incentive to stretch the appointment out.

How to book

Booking takes a few minutes: choose your tier and a time slot online, verify your ID from your phone, upload your documents, then join the video call. The certificate arrives by email the same working day. You can read the full process on our how it works page.

Please note that nothing on this page is legal advice — advice is only given in your booked appointment, where an adviser can consider your actual documents and circumstances.

Ready to get your certificate sorted? Fixed fees from £150 per person, appointments Mon-Fri 9am-7pm by secure video call, and your certificate emailed the same working day — book your appointment now and choose the tier that matches your deadline.