home for sale to let our team contact fact file glossary
 
 
 



  1. What does my contract / agreement entail?
2. What are preliminary enquiries?
3. why should I read the fixtures and fittings list?
4. How can I be sure of the physical condition of the property?
5. Why should I have a local authority search and water search?
6. How much is a deposit?
7. What are the mortgage conditions?
8. What about insurances?
9. When will I be allowed access to the property?
10. Tell me more about main residence and occupiers?
11. How quickly will the transaction take?



  1. What does any contract / agreement entail?
    A contract is a legally binding document and once contracts are exchanged you are bound to proceed ; failure to do so is likely to result in:-

    1.1Interest being charged on the balance of the purchase price in respect of each day on which you fail to complete at the prescribed rate in the Contract.

    1.2
    Damages for the seller’s losses.

    1.3
    Forfeiture of the deposit.

    It is therefore vital that contracts are not exchanged until you are fully satisfied as to all aspects of the purchase and can meet the completion date.

    Back to Top ^



  2. What are preliminary enquiries?
    You are referred to the Property Information Form and the Fixtures & Fittings Questionnaire. If there are further matters you wish to raise please either do so directly through the agents or take them up with us before contracts are exchanged.

    Back to Top ^



  3. why should I read the fixtures and fittings list?
    Please carefully read this list once you receive it to ensure it accurately reflects the agreement between yourself and the Seller.

    Back to Top ^



  4. How can I be sure of the physical condition of the property?
    You must satisfy yourself as to the structural condition of the property and that the price you are paying is a proper one. It is always prudent to have a Structural Survey, particularly with older properties. A Mortgage Valuation, which is primarily for the benefit of a mortgage lender, does not constitute a full structural survey.

    Back to Top ^



  5. Why should I have a local authority search and water search?

    5.1 It is essential to have these searches to ensure that nothing adverse has been registered against the property by the local authority as you, as the new owner, would be liable for these. Moreover it is a requirement of lenders.We shall advise you of the result of the searches once available.

    5.2 Since privatisation the local authority are no longer required to give drainage information and so this must be separately obtained.

    5.3 Planning - Please confirm your proposed use and development proposals (if any), and tell us if it appears there have been alterations or extensions to the property in the past.

    Back to Top ^



  6. How much is a deposit?

    6.1 10% is payable on exchange of contracts and you must have that available by way of cleared funds at short notice.

    6.2 Solicitors are required to ensure that no client funding is drawn on their Client Account unless it is backed by cleared funds. We will therefore require a Banker’s or Building Society Draft . Personal cheques will require a minimum of 7 working days to clear exclusive of the day on which we need to use the funding.

    Back to Top ^



  7. What are the mortgage conditions?
    If you require a mortgage all the conditions of the written Mortgage Offer must be complied with before we are entitled to use the mortgage monies to complete the purchase. Please also remember that we have professional responsibilities to lenders and these we cannot compromise. Nor can we proceed until and unless we are in receipt of the written mortgage offer and you have executed the necessary mortgage deeds in our presence.

    Back to Top ^



  8. What about insurances?

    8.1 Buildings - usually arranged by your mortgage lender; otherwise we shall require a Cover Note and a specimen of the Policy and confirmation it is in force prior to exchange in order to comply with the terms of your mortgage offer.

    8.2 Life Cover - must be in force from exchange of contracts with all mortgage conditions satisfied, including the production of the policy documentation by you to your mortgage lender.

    Back to Top ^



  9. When will I be allowed access to the property?
    You are not entitled to access until completion unless it is especially negotiated as a term of the Contract. The keys are usually collectable from the Estate Agents after lunchtime on the day of completion.

    Back to Top ^



  10. Tell me more about main residence and occupiers?
    If you do not intend to use the property as your sole or main residence you will not qualify for mortgage relief and may on a subsequent sale be liable for Capital Gains Tax.
    Please advise the full names of all proposed occupiers over the age of 17 years, as they must sign the contract to waive any rights they may have in the property.

    Back to Top ^



  11. How quickly will the transaction take?
    Please note that we concentrate on the legal aspects of the transaction. All non-legal matters are more speedily dealt either directly with the Seller or through the agents.

    Back to Top ^