PP - Preparation for Exchange* Flashcards
What is the purpose of a certificate of title for the lender?
Solicitor certifies that the title to the property is satisfactory for lending purposes
When does final certificate of title need to be ready
By completion
But draft needs to be ready pre-exchange
Difference between report on title & certificate of title
ADD FROM COLLAB SLIDES
What can lender do if there are material errors/omissions in the certificate of title
Sue - the solicitor must give disclosure after a statement if any are incorrect
What 3 conditions must a contract for land satisfy under s2 LPA 1989?
- be in writing
- incorporate all the terms which the parties have expressly agreed.
- be signed by, or on behalf or, each party to the contract.
What 4 things can a property contract do
- Fix a completion date
- Tie related transactions
- Set out related obligations
- Include conditions
NB: cannot transfer land
When might a contract not be necessary
- Gift of property between family members
- Land of low value (e.g. garden land to neighbour)
Are the standard conditions of sale obligatory
Only if the parties adopt the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol
Can the standard conditions of sale be changed
Yes - can be excluded, amended or supplemented with special conditions
If the seller’s solicitor is following the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol, can they add special conditios?
Can only add other special conditions if absolutely necessary
What are special conditions in a property contract?
Special conditions may be used in both residential and commercial property contracts to add or amend the standard conditions.
What are the standard conditions for residential property relating to incumbrances?
The seller needs to disclose any incumbrances registered at:
- Land Registry
- Land charges Registry
- Companies House
If they don’t, the seller is in breach
What must the seller disclose?
- Latent incumbrances (rights burdening property that are not apparent on inspection)
- Defects in title (issues that cast doubt on seller’s ownership or rights)
NB: this duty is amended by standard conditions
What are the standard conditions for commercial property relating to incumbrances?
The buyer is deemed to buy the property subject to any incumbrancers which would be revealed by a prudent buyer’s searches and enquiries.
Exception to caveat emptor
title guarantee (confirms that the seller has the right to sell)
When would a full title guarantee be used?
This is the default - it means the property is free of all incumbrances other than those disclosed in the contract, and those which it didn’t and couldn’t reasonably have known about.
When would a limited title guarantee be used?
Given by sellers with little knowledge of the property. It means that no incumbrances have been created over the property during the seller’s period of ownership.
What does ‘No title guarantee’ mean?
The seller does not guarantee the seller’s right to sell the property, or that the property is free from incumbrancers.
What is the default completion date?
20 working days after the date of the contract
What is the default completion time of the day and what does this mean?
- 2pm
Money must be received by the seller’s solicitor before 2pm
What is the default remedy if completion time is missed?
The other party can claim damages, but cannot walk away from the transaction.
If the party serves a ‘notice to complete’ then time is of the essence and if the contract is not performed by a specific time the non-defaulting party can walk away and claim damages.
Is time of the essence under the SCS and SCPC
Not until a notice to complete is served
Effect of time is of the essence
The contract must be performed by the specified time, and if not, the non-defaulting party can walk away from the contract and claim damages for the breach
What is the default deposit and who pays
10% and paid by the sols
- residential - cheque or electronically
- commercial - electronically only