5. Completion & Post-Completion Flashcards
How do buyer/sellers solicitor agree on practical arrangements for completion
Buyer’s solicitor initiates this by requesting completion information from seller’s solicitor = requisitions on title
Standard form contracts contain provisions /timetable for raising and replying to requisitions after exchange— sc 4.3.1 & scpc 7.3.1
What if buyer solicitor discovers undisclosed incumbrance or defect
they can still require it to be remedied or assert remedies for non disclosure
Form required for pre completion information
TA13 completion info and undertaking form may be required
Buyer’s solicitor should ensure replies given in response to their request for completion info are satisfactory- unsatisfactory info should be taken up with seller’s solicitor and further written enquiries raised.
Who preps transfer deed
Usually buyer
Seller may reserve contractual condition to prep transfer themselves
Form of transfer
- Transfer must be via deed to transfer legal estate in land to the buyer s 52 LPA 1925
- Transfer effects contract terms & must reflect this
- Form of transfer dependent on whether land is registered, unregistered or leasehold
Transfer form for registered land
TR1
Unregistered land transfer
- No prescribed wording exists for unregistered land
- Buyer free to choose wording subject to seller’s approval, and that it accurately reflects contract terms
- Typically prepare a Land Registry transfer
Buyer’s solicitor needs to have access to:
- Contract
- Official copy/entries unreg title deeds as the contract may refer to matters on the title that need to be repeated or reflected in the transfer
- Precedent on which to base the transfer
What happens after draft is prepared
- Once draft is prepared, 2 copies sent to seller’s solicitor for approval
- Should check that it reflects contract terms
- Under SC, seller’s solicitor is to approve or return revised documents four working days after draft transfer
- After finalised amendments, buyer’s solicitor to prepare engrossment (clean copy) of transfer - must be checked carefully and sent to seller’s solicitor for execution (signature)
- Where buyer must also execute, they should do so before it is sent to the seller- sc 4.3.2 states that buyer must deliver engrossment of transfer to seller at least 5 working days before completion
TO be valid in law, deed must:
- Clearly indicate it is a deed
- Be signed and witnessed
- Be delivered (S1 LPMPA 1989)
Signature by seller must be executed to transfer the estate s 52 LPA 1925
The buyer is required to execute the transfer if it contains
- Covenant by buyer (indemnity covenant)
- Declaration by buyer
- An application (for a restriction to be entered)
When does deed take effect
On delivery
When is a plan desirable
On a sale of part
Purpose for pre-completion searches
- To confirm information obtained about the property is still correct
- Buyer’s solicitor must ensure such searches are relevant and bear satisfactory results
When to make searches
- In sufficient time to guarantee results are received by buyer’s solicitor in time for completion
- Generally ~7 days before contractual completion date (may be left until closer to completion)
Searches may have to be repeated where:
- Period of 2 months or more between contract exchange and completion and search has not been covered by insurance
- Info received by buyer’s solicitor suggests a further search may be advisable
- Contract was conditional on satisfactory result of later searches
Does discovery on a later search entitle buyer to refuse to complete contract
no- not a matter of title
How old should searches have been at date of completion
All searches should not be more than 6 months old at date of completion
If an unexpected entry is revealed
- Contact sellers solicitor (for those adversely affecting property) and find out what the entry relates to, seek confirmation that the entry will be removed on or before completion (if possible)
- Apply for official copy of entry using Form K19
- Keep cl, lender and other solicitor involved in chain of transactions of the situation- failure to remove an entry = breach of contract
Removing entry from the reg
- MUST BE SIGNED BY THE PERSON WITH BENEFIT OF THE CHARGE OR PERSON ACTING ON THEIR BEHALF
- Application form signed by sellers solicitors to secure removal may not suffice
- Court can remove entries that are redundant at their discretion
- Entries protecting a spouses rights under FLA 96 can be removed on production of death certificate of the spouse or decree absolute of divorce