Chartered surveyor
A RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) qualified surveyor who is entitled to carry out a survey on a property.
Completion date
The date on which the ownership of the property passes from buyer to seller. Usually this happens some time after exchange, though it is possible to have simultaneous exchange and completion.
Contract
This sets out the terms of the sale between buyer and seller. It is drawn up by the seller’s solicitor and will then be negotiated.
Deposit
Not to be confused with the deposit that you agree to put down when you take out a mortgage. In the context of conveyancing, the deposit is the amount (usually 5 – 10%) paid by the buyer to the seller upon exchange of contracts. Once exchange has taken place the contract is a legally binding document and if the buyer fails to complete then they may forfeit their deposit (unless they were misled into signing the contract).
Disbursements
This simply means “expenses” and is the term used by solicitors. Disbursements include things like search fees and land registry fees. Ask for disbursements to be included in your quote (most are known in advance) otherwise your bill could be a lot higher than you expect.
Environmental search
A search carried out to check whether the property may be affected by things like flooding, landfill, waste disposal, contaminated land, etc.
Exchange
Once contracts have been signed by both buyer and seller they are exchanged (swapped). Once exchange has taken place the contract is legally binding and if the buyer fails to complete then they may forfeit their deposit (unless they were misled into signing the contract).
Fixtures, fittings and contents form
This is a form prepared by the seller setting out what fixtures and fittings are included in the sale, which ones may be included at a specified price and which ones are negotiable. It may be included in the HIP, but does not have to be and can be given after an offer has been made.
Freehold
When the owner of the property also owns the land on which it is built.
HIP
Home Information Pack containing basic information and search results for the property. Since 6th April 2009 HIPs have been compulsory and you are required to have a HIP before you market your property (though some documents can be added later as long as it’s within 28 days of commencing marketing).
Indemnity contribution
Solicitors must take out insurance to protect their clients in the event of mistakes or fraud when dealing with their case. This is usually charged to the client.
Land Registry
The body that records who owns what land. When a property changes hands it’s the buyer’s solicitor’s job to make sure that this transfer is recorded at the Land Registry.
Leasehold
A leasehold property does not include the land on which it stands, which is owned by the freeholder. Once the lease expires ownership of the property goes back to the leaseholder.
Local authority search
A search of local authority records for things that may affect the property, such as: whether the road the property stands on is maintained by the council; planning applications that may affect the property; possible planning restrictions; and rights of way.
It’s important to check what area the local authority search covers. If it only covers a limited area you may want to ask for additional enquiries.
Mortgage
This is the loan used to buy a property. Because it is linked to the property being bought the property cannot be sold until the mortgage is paid off (either at the end of its term or, if you are selling, by using proceeds from the sale to pay off the balance).
Mortgage deed
The legal charge that gives the mortgage lender rights over the property until the mortgage has been repaid.
Mortgage fees
Fees charged by conveyancing solicitors for acting on behalf of their client’s bank or building society.
Mortgage valuation
The valuation survey carried out on behalf of your bank or building society before it will lend on a property to ensure the property is worth at least the amount they plan to lend. It should not be confused with a property survey (of which there are different kinds) carried out by a Chartered Surveyor – see Surveys.
Property information form
A question form to filled in by the seller covering basic information about the property. The questions must be answered honestly.
Redemption fee
Some banks will charge a redemption fee for paying off a mortgage early or within a certain number of years of taking it out.
Redemption payment
The payment made in order to pay off the outstanding balance of a mortgage.
SDLT
Stamp Duty Land Tax – see Stamp Duty
Stamp duty
Also known as Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). This is a tax on the purchase of a property and is usually paid by the buyer. The amount is based on the value of the property.
Surveys
Not to be confused with a valuation survey carried out by a lender. A property survey is carried out by a Chartered Surveyor and can look at various things such as the structure of the building and its value. There are different kinds of surveys and their costs vary significantly.
Title deeds
The ownership documents for a property which also set out any rights or obligations affecting the property. If the property is mortgaged then they will be held by the lender until it is paid off.
Transfer deed
Known also as a TR1 (its official form number) this transfers ownership of the property. It is prepared by the buyer’s solicitor after completion and sent to the Land Registry so the transfer can be recorded.
Water and drainage search
A search of the properties water and drainage supplies. It will check whether these are connected to the main water supply and sewerage system and how the property is billed for these services.
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