What Is The Contract Pack And What Does It Include?
In his latest Timms blog, Trainee Solicitor Connor Ball-Wood discusses conveyancing contract packs and what they include…
The Law Society’s Conveyancing Protocol is a set of steps to follow when acting in the sale and/or purchase of a home for an owner-occupier. The Protocol sets out the Law Society’s preferred practice in residential conveyancing transactions and gives conveyancers a set of principles to improve the conveyancing process. Under the Protocol, there several requirements relating to the contract pack.
What Is The Contract Pack For?
The contract pack allows the buyer’s conveyancer to order searches, investigate the legal title of the property and raise any relevant enquiries.
The seller’s conveyancer will only be able to draft the contract pack once they have received the following from their client:
- Formal instructions and ID;
- Memorandum of sale from the estate agent or private seller – official notification that the sale has been agreed.
- Completed Property Information Form (TA6), Fittings and Contents Form (TA10) and if a leasehold property, the Leasehold Information Form (TA7).
What Should The Contract Pack Include?
Under the Protocol the contract pack should include:
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The Draft Contract:
- Incorporating the latest edition of the Standard Conditions of Sale;
- Only with such additional clauses as are necessary for the purposes of the transaction.
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If The Title Is Registered:
- Up-to-date official copies of the register and title plan;
- Official copies of all filed documents;
- Any documents required for the buyer’s conveyancer to be able to deduce title, e.g. copy of a grant of probate, a power of attorney, death certificate, marriage certificate.
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If The Title Is Unregistered:
- Copies of original deeds
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TA6 And Supporting Documentation Such As Installation Certificates, Planning Permissions And The Energy Performance Certificates
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TA10
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In Relation To Leasehold Property:
- TA7;
- Official Copies of the Leasehold Register;
- Copy of the seller’s share certificate for any landlord or management company.
Once the contract pack has been issued, the next stage will be for the buyer’s conveyancer to review this and raise any relevant enquiries.
How Can We Help?
If you have any questions regarding this blog or any other conveyancing matters, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can contact me via e-mail at c.ball-wood@timms-law.com or via phone on 01283 561531. Alternatively, you can visit the conveyancing page of our website here.
July 2022