ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CONVEYANCING

 

What is conveyancing?

Conveyancing is just a long word for managing the legal formalities of buying and selling a house.

How long will it take?

If there is no chain, the property is empty, the buyer does not require a mortgage, and if;

i) Draft documentation is received promptly by the buyer’s solicitors.

ii) Monies are readily available and;

iii) There are no enquiries to raise.

a sale or purchase can all be completed very swiftly.

It is, however, more likely that a mortgage will be required and there will be a chain of transactions. If that is the case, it will usually take 4-6 weeks to exchange contracts and then another 2-4 weeks between exchange of contracts and completion making a total of 6-10 weeks from start to finish.

We always try to do all that we can to progress your transaction as quickly as possible but we cannot offer any guarantee about the time it will take and you should not believe anyone else that says they can!

What things can slow everything down?

The conveyancing process often runs quite smoothly but occasionally there can be a problem and the most common things to arise are:

i) Incomplete documentation received from the seller’s solicitor.

ii) Queries arising relating to the lack of planning permission/building regulations approval.

iii) Additional matters to be dealt with as a consequence of conditions in the mortgage offer.

iv) Incomplete chain.

v) Other parties in the chain aiming for different completion dates.

vi) Issues arising out of the use of rights of way and;

vii) The need to enquire as to breach or possible breach of restrictive covenants (restrictions imposed on the property).

How soon do I need to pay any money?

If you are purchasing a property your solicitor will ask you for £250.00 at the commencement of the transaction to cover the search fees and a 10% deposit will be payable one week prior to exchange of contracts. The balance of the price and the solicitor’s costs etc will be payable one week before completion.

If you are just selling you will need to pay £50 on account. The legal costs and estate agents fees will be paid out of the sale proceeds on completion before any balance is sent to you.

Do I need a survey?

If you are obtaining a mortgage a valuer will inspect the property on behalf of the lender. Although his report will give you an indication as to whether he thinks the property is worth the amount that you have asked to borrow, you will probably not be able to rely on it.

For an extra fee you can usually arrange for the same valuer to carry out a more detailed "Home Buyers Report". This can be relied upon by you so if at a later date you find a problem that is not mentioned in the report, you may have some redress against the valuer.

If the property is quite old and/or you are particularly concerned about its condition you can obtain a full structural survey report which is even more detailed.

Always remember the golden rule is "let the buyer beware" so (provided you have not been misled) you will be liable for any problems that you discover after exchange of contracts.

What searches do you carry out and why?

There are five main types of search that can be carried out and the buyer’s solicitor will decide which of these are necessary in any particular case:-

Local Authority Search

This reveals details of the planning history for the property and whether the Council are aware of any breaches of planning, any proposals for new roads or traffic schemes, tree preservation orders, conservation areas and any other matters within the Council's control that may affect the property.

Drainage Search

This will show whether or not the surface and/or foul water drains run into a public or private sewer and the route that they take.

Environmental Search

This is carried out to see if there are any landfill or waste disposal sites in the area, or if the property has been built on an old industrial site and whether there are any risks from contaminated land, toxic emissions, flooding, subsidence etc.

Land Registry Search

This is carried out just before completion in order to find out if there are new mortgages registered against the property that have not previously been disclosed. If there are then the buyers solicitor will obviously require confirmation that these will be repaid.

Land Charges Search

If you are obtaining a mortgage the lender will ask your solicitor to carry out a search to make sure that are you are not bankrupt! Quite often this search will show an entry against someone else with a similar name. If so you will be asked to sign a copy of the result to confirm that it does not relate to you.

Can I exchange contracts before I receive my mortgage offer?

If for any reason the mortgage offer is declined or delayed or it contains any conditions that you cannot comply with, the money may not be available when required so it would be extremely dangerous to exchange contracts without it and any competent solicitor would strongly advise you not to do so.

Is there anything I can do to save paying stamp duty?

Yes, possibly.

If the purchase price is just above any stamp duty threshold (£125,000.00, £250,000.00 and £500,000.00) and the sale includes some fixtures and fittings, for example, carpets, curtains, cooker, fridge, and freezer, you may be able to legitimately apportion part of the price towards the fixtures and stamp duty will then be payable on the amount of the price agreed for the property only.

When do I need to arrange buildings insurance?

Unless the building insurance is being arranged by the lender or it is a leasehold property and the insurance is dealt with by the landlord, you must arrange buildings insurance from exchange of contracts as the property will be at your risk from that time.

The amount of cover should be the estimated cost of re-building the property if it burns to the ground and this is not necessarily the same as the current market value. If you had a survey, or you are obtaining a mortgage, your surveyor or the lenders valuer will usually have suggested a minimum amount of cover in their report.

When should you book your removal company?

Start planning your move as soon as your offer is accepted. You should get three quotations as early as possible. Do not leave it until the last minute as you will have far more pressing things to take care of. Take time to shop around. Booking early reduces stress and allows you to book the removal company at a time to suit you. If your time is limited, let the removers pack for you. The best removal companies tend to be booked early so you could end up with your third, fourth or even fifth choice. If you leave it too late, you might not have a choice at all and end up paying for a greatly overpriced company. Remember, however, that the cheapest quotation is not always the best one. Quotations are normally free with no obligation. Beware of cheap firms and do not even consider one that will not visit your house and demands a deposit.

It is highly advisable to avoid Fridays. On a Friday the United Kingdom banking system is exceptionally busy. Any other day of the week everything should happen much quicker and follows therefore with much less stress. There are also often special midweek removal discounts. Try to put a provisional booking down for your most likely moving day. Do not, however, put down a deposit because these dates do change. Please be aware that your legal adviser will find it extremely difficult to indicate the exact date of completion until a few weeks before the due date.

What we suggest is that you make up a removal day survival kit to include personal items, food for the first night, tool box, medication, etc.

 

What do we need to know if we are buying in joint names?

Most couples who are married or in a stable relationship purchase as "joint tenants" which means that upon the death of one or other of them that person’s half share will automatically pass to the other.

There are occasions, however, where it would be beneficial for a married couple to hold the property as Tenants in Common and your solicitor will be able to advise you further.

The alternative is to hold the property as "tenants in common" which means that each persons half share is treated as being separate so that upon the death of one or other of them his or her share will not automatically go to the other but to whoever it has been left to in the deceased persons will or, if there is no will, to his or her next of kin.

If you are putting unequal amounts into the property the person who is paying the larger amount can and often should be protected by a "trust deed" which sets out your respective shares. Then in the event of any dispute or upon the death of one or other of you in the future, your original intentions will be clearly recorded. Once you have considered the above options and/or if you require further advice you should tell your solicitor so that he or she can make sure that your wishes are carried out.

What happens with the keys?

These are usually left with the estate agents (if any) and the buyer collects them once the money has been received by the Seller’s Solicitor on the day of completion. If there are no estate agents then the seller will hand them direct to the buyer. Either way it is important that arrangements are made in advance to prevent the possibility of the buyer having to wait outside with the removal van!

Although your solicitor will always try to ensure that everything is finalised as early as possible on the day of completion - and usually this is dealt with by mid-day - there can sometimes be a delay if, for example, your solicitor is still waiting for the mortgage monies to arrive or there is a particularly long chain. If this happens, please don't panic or become upset because your solicitor will invariably resolve the problem by early afternoon - if not sooner!

When will I get my money?

If you are just selling, or there is a surplus due back to you after the completion of your sale and purchase, your solicitor will always try to send this to you on the day of completion or, at the very latest, on the next working day.

Payment is usually made by cheque but for larger amounts your solicitor can transfer the money direct to your bank. You should request this in advance and provide your solicitor with your account details for which there will be an additional fee payable.

 

HINTS AND TIPS WHEN MOVING HOUSE

Choosing a removal company?

• Your removal guaranteed by the removal protection bond?
• Established firm (with minimum ten years)?
• Member of the British Association of Removers?
• Members of the National Guild of Removers and Storers?
• Free written quotation by return?
• Free home advisory meeting?
• Specialists in domestic removals and storage?
• Full all risk insurance cover available?
• No deposit booking service?
• Special Mid Week Rates?

A month to go:

• Get estimates from removal companies, checking that comprehensive insurance cover is available against loss or damage. Confirm the date with the firm you have chosen.
• Check on your home contents insurance policies to ensure that you are covered for both the move and at your new address.
• Make arrangements for your gas, electricity and water meters to be read.
• Arrange to take over gas and electricity at your new address, and make sure that all appliances will be properly fitted, plumbed and connected.
• Notify the phone company and ask them to make the necessary arrangements for a final account at your present address, and for taking over, or installing telephone facilities at your new one.
• Arrange for change of address cards to be printed.
• Arrange childcare and petcare for moving day.

A fortnight to go:

• Confirm all arrangements, times etc for meter readings, disconnections and reconnections.
• Make sure you have a good stock of packing materials, sturdy boxes, string and sticky tape.
• Begin to throw out unwanted items from attics and wardrobes. Throw away what you really don’t want, or send to your local charity shop.

One week to go:

• Send off your change of address cards.
• Arrange and pay for automatic re-direction of your mail by the Post Office
• Cancel and pay up accounts for routine delivery services such as mail, groceries, papers etc. Reorganize these deliveries for your new address.
• Defrost refrigerators in preparation for the move and if you are moving a freezer and contents, turn it up to maximum for a couple of days before you move.
• Put aside any inflammable liquids and drain fuel from petrol mower, paraffin fires, etc.

One day to go:

• Complete your packing except for those items you are likely to need overnight and arrange a picnic on the moving day.
• Have a large enough cash float available to deal with unexpected expenses, tips etc and ensure you have collected the documents and valuables together in a safe place.
• Cover carpets which are being left behind, so as to minimize damage during furniture removal.
• Check through previous lists to make sure nothing has been overlooked, then enjoy a worry-free early night.

Moving day:

• Strip beds and pack bedding and nightclothes.
• Pack items for washing/toiletries.
• Take down curtains.
• Take up rugs, carpets, floor coverings etc NOT included in the sale.
• Dismantle any light fittings, etc not included in the sale.
• Turn off electric appliances.
• Disconnect cooker.
• Turn off boiler/central heating.
• Turn off water.
• Read gas meter.
• Read electricity meter.
• Secure all windows.
• Lock all doors.
• Leave key as arranged for new owners e.g. with estate agent *
• Exchange contact numbers and agree meeting time with removal men.
• Remember to pack your kettle, tea and accessories separately.

On arrival at your new home, unpack slowly and methodically so that you can check for loss or damage.

Don’t forget to give your new address to…

Banks Insurance companies

Building societies Local authority

Dentist Motoring organizations

Doctor Newsagents

Driving licence authorities Other lease, hire or rental companies

Employer Post office

Family benefit Professional bodies/trade unions

Friends and relatives Schools

Gas, electricity, water boards Store cards and accounts

Inland Revenue Telephone company

Strictly speaking, the house belongs to the new owner as soon as the money arrives in your solicitor’s bank account. The keys MUST be left with the estate agent the day before completion but they will not be handed over until your solicitor has received the money and has given formal permission to do so. There can sometimes be a considerable time delay between your buyer’s solicitor sending the money electronically and it being received in the account of your solicitor (especially if you move on a Friday, like so many others tend to do!).