2b. Property - Practice Flashcards
Preliminary matters
If acting for the buyer, what is the first thing you should advise them to do?
Carry out a physical inspection of the property to determine whether there are any structural defects or problems which might affect the value
Preliminary matters
What are the three requirements for a solicitor to represent their buyer and the lender?
- Lender is an institutional lender
- Standard certificate of title is provided
- Confidentiality as to both parties is maintained
Preliminary matters
What is required for the buyer’s solicitor to disclose information to the lender, and what must happen if this does not occur?
The buyer’s consent. If the buyer wishes for the solicitor to keep something from the lender, the solicitor must cease acting for the both parties
Preliminary matters
What situation on the exam will suggest a conflict of interest?
Solicitor acting for parties on different sides of a transaction
Preliminary matters
Where there is more than one buyer or seller, what must a solicitor acting for both ensure?
After what two steps can the clients agree for one to take the lead?
That they are instructed by both clients
After: 1. Initial instructions, and 2. Identification requirements are satisfied
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What things should be considered when entering into a commercial leasehold transaction?
Checklist applies to all leases in reality
An offer in writing should be made including clear terms on:
* Rent and length of term
* Rights to break the lease
* Rent review
* Rights to assign
* Obligations
Starting a conveyancing transaction
How is title investigated in (1) the registered system and (2) the unregistered system?
- Copy of the register of title and title plan is obtained from HMLR
- Title deeds and charges in the seller’s name need to be located
Starting a conveyancing transaction
Who does the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol require to remedy pre-contract title defects?
The seller’s solicitor, rather than waiting for buyer to raise an inquiry
Starting a conveyancing transaction
In the unregistered system, what must the seller’s solicitor do regarding the title deeds if they are held by a lender?
Write to the lender to obtain the deeds and give an undertaking not to part with the deeds until such time as the mortgage is paid off
As such, they will also seek an indicative redemption figure so they know if there will be enough money to make good on this undertaking
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is included in the contract package sent to the buyer from the seller of freehold property?
- Draft contract in duplicate
- Property Information Form (TA6)
- Fittings and Contents Form (TA10)
- Copy of the seller’s title
- Copy of title plan
- Guarantees, or planning permission, if any
Starting a conveyancing transaction
The Property Information Form (TA6) contains details of what issues?
- Boundaries
- Rights benefiting/burdening the proeprty
- Disputes, complaints and notices
- Alterations
- Planing and building regulations
- Occupiers
- Services and utilities
- Energy efficiency
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is the title plan?
A map showing the location of the property being sold and a red outline of the land included in the title
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What type of defects (1) must the seller disclose and (2) need not be disclosed?
Must disclose latent (hidden) defect
Need not disclose patent defect
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is (1) a latent defect and (2) a patent defect?
- Latent: Something which is not apparent, or can’t be discovered, when inspecting the property (inherent issues with the property e.g. foundation issues).
- Patent: One that would be revealed by an inspection e.g. visible right of way
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What two remedies are available to the buyer where the seller breaches a duty to disclose?
- Withdraw from contract after exchange
- Claim damages
Starting a conveyancing transaction
In what one situation will a seller actually be held liable where there is a defect which is both latent and physical?
Where the seller has willfully tried to obscure the defect
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is included in the contract package sent to the buyer from the seller of leasehold property, i.e. assigning their leasehold interest?
- Draft contract in duplicate
- Official copies of leasehold register of title and plan
- Copy of the lease
- Property Information Form, Leasehold Information Form, and Fittings and Contents Form
- Copy of landlord’s freehold register of title and plan
- Copy of insurance policy for entire building
- Copy of last three years’ service charge accounts
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What are the three sections in the Contract Incorporating the Standard Conditions of Sale?
- Particulars of sale
- Standard conditions of sale
- Special conditions of sale
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is required of something agreed between buyer and seller to be legally binding?
It must be in the contract
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is the default deposit under the Standard Conditions?
10% of the purchase price, although the parties can agree lower
Even where the parties negotiate a lower deposit, buyer liable for full 10% if they breach
Starting a conveyancing transaction
As long as the property is in England and Wales, what can the buyer do with the deposit before completion?
Count it towards their deposit on a new residence
Starting a conveyancing transaction
Under the Standard Conditions, how is the deposit held between exchange and completion?
By the seller’s solicitor as stakeholder, i.e. on behalf of buyer and seller, and can’t be paid to seller until completion
Possible for seller’s solicitor to hold as agent for seller, but not advisable for buyer to allow this
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What three things does it mean when the Standard Conditions provide that a seller sells a property with full title guarantee?
Seller:
- Is entitled to sell the property
- Will, at their own cost, transfer this title to the buyer, and
- Is selling the property free from all charges or encumbrances other than those disclosed in the contract
Starting a conveyancing transaction
What is a limited title guarantee?
Seller merely warrants they have not created any charges or encumbrances during their period of ownership other than those disclosed in the contract