GUIDE TO BUYING AND SELLING

 

1. The Buyer’s Offer

If you are buying a property, it is wise to make the offer subject to a Survey and Mortgage where possible. This allows you to have a change of mind and not continue with the purchase if, for example, an adverse Survey is obtained or a Mortgage cannot be secured. When you make an offer to the Seller or the Seller’s Estate Agents, ALWAYS make the offer subject to Survey. NEVER sign any document at this early stage without first obtaining your Solicitor’s advice.

 

2. The Contract

The Seller’s Solicitor draws up a document known as the Contract. This document gives full details of the Agreement reached between the Seller and the Buyer. It sets out the purchase price, the names and addresses of the Seller and Buyer and describes the property. It also states whether the property is Freehold or Leasehold. The Contract will also include any Special Conditions which have been agreed between the Seller and Buyer, for example, whether the Seller will carry out any repairs to the property before the completion date.

 

3. National Conveyancing Protocol (Or Transaction)

This is a Scheme introduced by the Law Society and which has been adopted by us and a large percentage of Solicitors Firms nationally. The steps involved in the sale and purchase are carried out in accordance with this Protocol, the aim of which is to ensure that the Seller’s Solicitors provides the Buyer’s Solicitors with as much information as is possible about the property at the outset of the transaction. This helps to narrow the time gap between the agreement on the sale or purchase and the actual exchange of Contracts. Unless you write to the contrary we shall assume that you have no objection to us using this Transaction scheme.

 

Leasehold Property

This arises when a property is let by the owner of the Freehold to the owner of the property for a period of years, usually between 125 years and 999 years. The Lease will be a long and fairly complex document. The important Clauses contained in Leases usually include those relating to the term of years, the Ground Rent and the Lessees Covenants which are restrictions on use and obligations applying to the property.

 

5. Joint Ownership

When two or more people buy property they can buy as Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common. Joint Tenants means that if one co- owner dies, his or her share in the property automatically passes to the survivor. The alternative is a Tenancy in Common which is more appropriate for co-owners who have no personal relationship. If a Tenant in Common dies then that persons share does not pass automatically to the survivor but forms part of the Estate of the deceased person and passes under their Will or Intestacy.

A Tenancy in Common may also be required if the Buyers are putting in unequal deposits and the person putting in the larger amount wishes to ensure that he or she retains a proportionate part of his or her share in the property when it is sold. If an unmarried couple are purchasing a property they may wish to instruct us to prepare a Cohabitation Agreement/Trust Deed, which can include details of their intentions should they split up and the property is sold.

 

6. Property Information

When instructions are received from you to act on your sale, a Questionnaire will be forwarded for you to complete. This contains questions relating to your property for example, enquiries such as to the ownership of the boundary fences, disputes with your neighbours, availability of Guarantees etc. This information is then supplied to the Buyers Solicitors when the draft Contract is sent out. It is vital that you read the front page of the Questionnaire before completing your replies and if you have any Guarantees, Reports, Planning Permission etc in your possession you should forward these to our office when returning the Questionnaire.

 

7. Fixtures, Fittings and Contents

If you are selling, we will send you a Schedule for your completion and return with the Property Information Questionnaire. In the included section you should list all items which you have agreed with the Buyers are included in the agreed sale price. Anything which you are selling as an extra sum should be listed separately. Be particularly careful also in listing those items which you wish to take with you to your new home. The Schedule will form part of the Contract and you will not be able to change your mind about what is included or excluded after exchange of Contracts without the Buyers consent or possibly being required to compensate the Buyer.

 

8. Local Search

This is a standard form of enquiries made with the Local Authority in which the property is situated. The Search will disclose, amongst other things, whether there are any relevant Planning Permissions or Improvement Grants and whether any road fronting the property is maintained at the cost of the Highway Authority or is privately maintained. It is important that you realise the limitations on the result of the search as it is only property specific. The search will reveal if the roads/paths are adopted, if affected by any Tree Preservation or Conservation Orders and planning history for the property. Whilst some matters, e.g. possible road developments within 200 metres of the property are covered, no planning information that does not specifically relate to the property you are acquiring will be revealed. If you are concerned about possible development in the surrounding area, you should contact the local planning authority direct or ask us about having a Planning Search carried out prior to exchange of contracts. If you have any further queries about what is and is not covered by the search please let us know.

 

From 1st April 2000, Local Authorities are required to prepare a definitive list of sites within their area where past uses have led to contamination. The local authority search specifically asks the local authority whether the site does have a history of some use, which could lead to contamination. As the Local Authoritys obligation to compile a register has only recently arisen, it is unlikely that any entries on the local authority search would appear against the property you are purchasing. This does not mean that the site is not contaminated, simply that the Local Authority has not yet investigated the position. If, when you come to sell the property, it does appear on the Local Authoritys register then you may find it difficult, indeed impossible, to sell your property. Fortunately, it is possible to carry out a detailed environmental search which would highlight the history of the site of your property and detail whether or not any potential sources of contamination exist within a 250 metre radius.

 

9. Mining Search

This is an enquiry with the Coal Authority if the property is located within a mining area, to ascertain the position with regard to mining (whether past, present or future) under the property the subject of the transaction and whether any recent claims for subsidence damage have been submitted. It will also reveal whether there are any disused mine shafts near to the property. If a Building Society or Bank is providing a Mortgage for the Buyer, we will almost invariably be required by the Building Society or Bank to obtain the results of a Mining Search if the property is thought to be within a coal mining area. If anything of an adverse nature is revealed, for example a disused mine shaft adjacent to the property, we will send a copy of the result of the Search to the Building Society or Bank who would no doubt refer the matter to its Valuer or Surveyor. Depending on the comments of the Valuer or Surveyor, the Mortgage Application could be turned down or if the Mortgage Offer has already been issued the Offer could be withdrawn. The presence of coal workings within close proximity of the property may also affect future saleability.

 

10. Water Search

The Law Society recommends that a drainage and water search (or CON29DW) is undertaken as part of every property purchase. The search helps to avoid costly mistakes relating to drainage and water assets and owner liability issues under and around the property. The search will be of interest to clients who are purchasing a property with the intention of developing or extending it in the future. Depending upon the location of water pipelines or sewers, such developments can be refused if the property is situated to close too these assets.

 

11. Environmental Search

An Environmental Search provides essential site history and other environmental information for properties in mainland Britain. The Report will help any homebuyer to make an informed decision about purchasing a particular property and whether it will provide a suitable environment and investment for the family. The Search is designed to satisfy the concerns raised by the Law Society and the Search provides a property specific map showing site history information to enable you to pinpoint potentially contaminative historical land uses. Environmental Data is an essential part of Residential Conveyancing and provides a comprehensive site history of information for all of mainland Britain and the location of potential risks in relation to a property and potential landfills and other factors affecting the actual site where the property is situated. An Environmental Search will be obtained in all cases where the purchase of a property is being funded in part with mortgage finance.

 

12. Deposit

On the purchase of a property, it is normal to pay a deposit when Contracts are exchanged from your own resources. It is traditional for the deposit to equal 10% of the purchase price (less any deposit that you may have paid to the Seller?s Estate Agents). In certain circumstances, for example where a sale is also involved or a 95% Mortgage has been obtained, it is possible that the Seller may agree to accept a reduced deposit. A Buyer does however, remain liable to make the deposit up to 10% in the event of the Buyer failing to complete the transaction after Contracts have been exchanged and as a result of such actions the deposit being forfeit to the Seller. We will also require documentary evidence as to the source and origin of the funds to be used as the deposit for the purchase. Please be ready to provide us with this information.

 

13. Exchange of Contracts

Once satisfactory Searches and information have been received and when the financial arrangements, such as the obtaining of a Mortgage have been concluded, the Contracts, which each party will already have been asked to sign, are then exchanged and the deposit paid. At this point the deal becomes binding and both parties are committed to the transaction. If the Buyer backs out after the exchange of Contracts then the deposit will be forfeited and action may be taken by the Seller for Breach of Contract. If the Seller refused to complete, the Buyer may take action for Breach of Contract.

After exchange of Contracts you can then make the necessary arrangements for your removals and contact the appropriate Service Boards to have your meter read on the completion date (if necessary). If you have a telephone and are moving locally you may wish to contact British Telecom or Telewest Communications to arrange for the transfer of the number to the new address. It is not advisable to make any of these arrangements until after Contracts are exchanged, unless the completion date comes very shortly after the exchange date.

 

14. Mortgage

Your sellers are not under a duty to disclose any physical defects in the property to you and you should therefore arrange to carry out your own survey of the property. We would recommend that you do not simply rely on your mortgage companys valuation because although this may be expressed to be a survey it is, in fact, merely a valuation for the benefit of your mortgage company only. If any works are required to the property as a result of an adverse survey, we would advise that you speak to your lender and obtain estimates as soon as possible via the estate agents. It will be your responsibility to satisfy yourself that the works have been carried out and acceptable to your lender and re-inspected if necessary prior to completion.

In most cases, this firm will also be instructed to act for your Lender and we must comply with their instructions which will accompany your mortgage offer. We will report to the Lender on the property and on any other material matter affecting the loan ie gifted deposit arrangements, any change in your circumstances before completion of the mortgage or changes in price or any allowances or discounts or second mortgages which we are made aware of and are not being repaid. (If there is any conflict, we would not be able to act for both you and the Lender).

Upon sale, if you have a fixed rate mortgage or have received a discounted mortgage, we would advise that you contact your lender to see if any penalties will be incurred should you redeem your mortgage before a certain date. It is your responsibility to ensure that the early penalty/portability conditions are adhered to and please note that if your lender has agreed to waive all or some of confirmed by them in writing prior to exchange of contracts taking place.

 

15. Surveys

When a Mortgage is being obtained, the Bank, Building Society or other such Institution will have carried out at your expense a Mortgage Valuation. It is also wise for a more comprehensive Survey to be arranged, either a House Buyers Report or a full Structural Survey.

It is important to note the Lenders Valuation Report is for the benefit of the Lender and is only required by the Lender for confirmation that the property is adequate security for the Loan. Thus a not very detailed report would be carried out if the Buyer was paying 100,000.00 but the Loan was only for
15,000.00. In addition, as the Lenders Valuer does not have a Contract with the Buyer, following recent cases, it would be difficult for the Buyer to successfully sue the Lenders Valuer should the Lenders Valuer have been negligent in preparing the report.

For an additional fee it may be possible to arrange for the Lenders Valuer to carry out a more detailed Survey and Reportat the same time as the Mortgage Valuation. A House Buyers Report and Valuation is a concise and economical report on the condition of the property and includes a Valuation. The Surveyor will inspect the main structure including roof space, if accessible, and drainage. A Full Structural Survey is particularly useful for old or large properties.

The Homebuyers Report Surveyor will usually report on everything that is visible, the outside of the roof will be examined and a sample of floorboard will be taken up where practicable. The Survey will cover the structure of the building, outbuildings, nearby trees that may be the cause of damage and the services and drainage. In either case, the Surveys may suggest that there should be further tests, for example if wet or dry rot is suspected or a defective damp course. We can put you in touch with an independent Surveyor or ask your Lenders Surveyor to carry out a further Survey on your behalf.

You must always rely on your own and more importantly your Experts Report and inspection of any property which you are considering purchasing. If there are any problems they must be discovered before exchange of Contracts so that you are in a position to re-negotiate the terms of the transaction or, if necessary, to withdraw. Nothing can be done about any defect which you discover after the exchange of Contracts as the Seller is under no legal obligation to compensate you. For these reasons we strongly recommend that you consider having a detailed Home Buyers Report and Valuation.

 

16. Buildings Insurance

Once Contracts are exchanged the property becomes the Buyers insurance risk. If a Mortgage is involved, the Lender will make it a condition of the Loan that the property is insured from legal exchange of contracts and will usually offer to arrange the cover for you. The Contract provides for a Buyer to be responsible for the insurance of the property from legal exchange of contracts taking place NOT just when you complete your purchase. In the case of a cash transaction, it is entirely upto you whether you insure the property or not but we would strongly advise you to do so and to takes this out immediately on Contracts being exchanged as in the event of fire or destruction you will still be liable to continue with the purchase and pay the money on the completion date. We will ask that you provide us with details of your policy before exchange of contracts can take place.

 

17. Contents Insurance

If you are buying a property with the assistance of a Mortgage, the insurance, which will be arranged by the Lender, usually covers only the bricks and mortar of the property. It is essential that you arrange to cover your own contents. Basic Contents Insurance covers the contents of your home if they are stolen or damaged by natural disaster over which you have no control. Under a basic Policy, you can claim only the second-hand value of the goods. Some Policies provide new for old with accidental damage and all risks cover. These are more expensive but will cover the cost of replacing the lost or damaged items at todays prices. You must however, ensure that the value of your Contents Insurance covers the replacement cost. If you are under insured then in the event of a claim, the Insurance Company will apply what is known as averaging and will pay only a proportion of the claim. For example, if the Insurance Company consider that you have only valued your contents at half of the value or replacement costs, then they will pay only half the claim meaning effectively you will receive only a quarter of the value of replacement cost. Again you should contact your Financial Advisor for full advice on all aspects of Contents Insurance.

A Buyer should also be careful when purchasing a Leasehold flat. If the Landlord is responsible for insuring the building, it may not be the Landlords responsibility for insuring the interior surfaces of the walls, floor and ceiling to the flat. In this case the Buyer should check whether these can be included on their Contents Policy.

 

18. Final Formalities

On exchange of Contracts, a completion date is fixed. This is usually in between one and four weeks after Contracts are exchanged but is a date to be agreed between all parties involved. The Buyer and the Seller will be asked to sign the final documents prior to the completion date so that they are available for handing over on the completion date. The Purchase Deed is normally called a Transfer. If the purchase transaction is being financed by a Building Society or similar organisation, we will normally be instructed to prepare the Mortgage Deed and ensure that they are signed and that the Loan monies are available on completion. The signed Mortgage Deeds must be in our possession before the Loan monies can be used for the purchase of the new house.

 

19. Completion

The completion date is the day on which the Buyers Solicitors hands over to the Sellers Solicitor the purchase monies less the deposit paid on the exchange of Contracts and in return receives the Title Deeds. The Buyer is then able to move into the new property. A Seller should not part with the keys to the property until completion has taken place and his solicitor has received the balance of the purchase money. For convenience, it is often best for the Seller to leave the keys with his Estate Agent (if any) and for the Estate Agent to be instructed not to release the keys until the Sellers Solicitor advises him that completion has taken place.

 

20. Post Completion

There are further formalities requiring attention after completion.

Stamp Duty is paid by the Buyer and if you are a Buyer it will be shown in the Completion Statement which we prepare and send to you following exchange of Contracts. Once completion has taken place, the Stamp Duty Land Tax return must be submitted to HMRC and any tax due paid within 14 days of completion. HMRC will then produce an SDLT5 certificate to acknowledge submission of the Stamp Duty Land Tax Return. An application may then be made to the Land Registry to register the change of ownership. This may take several weeks for the Land Registry to sort out. Registration attracts the payment of a fee which again is calculated in accordance with the purchase price. This fee is also paid by the Buyer and again, if you are the Buyer, it will be shown in the Completion Statement.

Eventually the Deeds are returned to us and in the event of there being a Mortgage they are sometimes required to be passed on to the Lender to be retained until such time as the Mortgage has been repaid. In most cases any pre-registration title deeds will be forwarded to you for your safe keeping pending re-sale.

You may wish us to hold your deeds in our storage facility for safe keeping or alternatively we can forward the documents to you. It is advisable that any deeds are kept in a safe secure place as they may well need to be produced to your solicitor in the event of a future sale.

In the case of a sale, any outstanding Mortgages must be discharged out of the sale proceeds before we account to you for the balance.

You may wish to surrender an existing Life Insurance Policy upon completion of a sale. Before doing so however, we would recommend that you speak to your Financial Advisor regarding the advisability of surrendering such Policy. It may be in your long term interest not to do so.

 

21. Estate Agents Account

In the event of a sale, it is normal for the Estate Agent to forward to us his account for payment and this is usually paid by us out of the proceeds of the sale unless we receive your written instructions not to do so. Some estate agents contracts contain a clause regarding an early payment discounted commission rate. Please ensure that you read your contract carefully and should it contain a clause to this effect you must advise us immediately and provide us with a copy of the contract. We cannot accept any liability for late payment of your account if we are not made aware of such clause.

 

22. Confidentiality

The information which we hold in connection with any business undertaken on your behalf is confidential and cannot be communicated by ourselves to any party without your consent. There are times when we need to pass on information in your best interests, for example in the case of a purchase, the Selling Agent may wish to know the progress of the transaction and whether your Mortgage has been confirmed. If such information is not given, the Agent may consider advising the Seller to re-market the property. We have included in the enclosed Instruction Form a general Authority to supply information as required in your best interests.

 

23. Tax Implications

Whilst we will be dealing with the legal aspects of this transaction to ensure that the legal title to the property is transferred validly, we are not in a position to advise you on any possible tax consequences of the transaction. If you are concerned that there may be such consequences, we would strongly advise you to seek the assistance of an accountant or contact us and we can recommend you to a Financial Advisor whose services you may or may not wish to use.

OUR TEAM

Our Conveyancing Team is made up of qualified solicitors (with 15 years experience) and a Conveyancing Executive (with over 15 years’ experience), who are assisted by a team of Legal Assistants (with a minimum of 1-3 years experience). The team is supervised by Catherine Higgins who qualified as a solicitor in 1989.

Please refer to ourMeet The Team section for further details of the staff who will be involved in your case.

Joan Daly

Joan Daly

Legal Administrator

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