. . . Moving Home - The Legal Process Continued

Once all these enquiries and searches are complete and satisfactory, the “purchasers” conveyancer will ensure that financial arrangements, such as the mortgage offer, are in place so that the purchase price can be paid on completion, with the date proposed inserted in the draft contract. At this stage, the deposit, normally 10% of the purchase price, is forwarded to the “sellers” solicitor. If the mortgage advance is more than 90%, the balance is normally sent. The purchaser signs the contract which is sent with the deposit.

The “sellers” solicitor will ensure his client is ready to be committed. If so, a contract in identical terms is signed and exchanged with the purchaser. Both parties are now legally bound and neither can back out, without consent of the other, as there would be a breach of contract.

The next step is for the “sellers” solicitor to send proof of ownership of the property, normally the lease or title deeds. The “purchasers” conveyancer will check ownership and that it may be transferred to the “purchaser” in terms of the contract, ensuring there is no undisclosed mortgage and the seller is not bankrupt. S/he will then prepare a Transfer Deed or Conveyance, to transfer ownership to the purchaser, signed by the purchaser and sent to the “sellers” solicitor for signature by the seller and return. Normally, prior to completion, the purchaser will receive a statement of account from his conveyancer setting out the financial position, taking into account any pre-contract deposit paid to the estate agent and the deposit paid on exchange. On the day agreed for completion, the balance of the purchase price is paid to the “sellers” solicitor, normally electronically. The keys will then be released to the purchaser who becomes liable for the Council Tax and all other outgoings from that date.

Even with the best preparation, there are delays inherent in the system which ensures that each side has the bargain they agreed, without any hidden liability surfacing after completion. Selling normally entails another purchase at the same time. Conversely, your purchaser, unless a first time buyer, is trying to sell and cannot exchange until his own property has been sold to provide the purchase money and/or a mortgage has been obtained. Apart from delays in searches and enquiries, being involved in a chain of transactions means you can only move at the speed of the slowest link in the chain. We will do everything we can to smooth out the delays that inevitably occur. Your solicitor/conveyancer will do their utmost to keep you informed of progress. But always ask them the reason for delay; they are there to help and keep you fully informed.

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