Buying a House

This is more complicated, because here we will be seeking to ensure that the house you buy does not involve you in unforeseen disputes over rights of way, boundaries, fences, restrictive covenants, road charges or other legal entanglements.

The majority of house purchases proceed without complications, but we have the expertise necessary to advise you if problems arise.  We will also tell you of any unusual circumstances which may affect your ownership of the property, and report to you fully on the relevant provisions of the title documentation, so that you are fully aware of all the matters affecting the property before you proceed.

After receiving the contract from the Seller's Solicitors, we check through the documentation and raise any specific queries.  The next steps are:

• We will send you copies of the plan of the property, relevant parts of the title and copies of the fixtures fitting and contents list for you to check.
• Surveyor's report - The building society valuation report is simply that.  It is not a full structural survey and is therefore not certain to uncover defects in the property.  If the house you are buying is not newly-constructed, we recommend that you appoint a surveyor to prepare a full report.  Where significant defects are found, it may be possible to negotiate a lower price or a contribution towards the works with the Seller.
• We will carry out all necessary mining, chancel check and environmental searches, to ensure that the property is not affected by any environmental issues, such as radon gas, or any other matters or plans which might deter you from buying it.
• Receipt of mortgage offer - Written confirmation of the mortgage advance will be received from the bank or building society.
• We will explain the effect and implications of the contract and mortgage documentation to you before you sign usually at a face to face meeting.
• Exchange of contracts - This takes place after the deposit is paid.  Once contracts have been exchanged, the sale is legally binding, and the completion date fixed.
• Receipt of mortgage funds - We receive the funds from your mortgage lender.
• Completion - The full purchase price is paid over and ownership of the property is transferred to you.

In the case of a simultaneous sale and purchase, timing is essential and our experience in this area will ensure that both transactions go through at the same time.

After completion, we continue to act on your behalf - ensuring that any land transaction tax is paid and that the title to the property is properly registered at the Land Registry.  After this, the deeds will be sent to your mortgage lender or, where there is no mortgage, stored by us on your behalf.