A schedule listing the documents which set out the history of ownership of a property.

A road maintained by a local authority.

The amount of a mortgage loan on a property.

A formal document required to transfer ownership of property to a person entitled to it following the death of the owner.

A person appointed by someone to act for them either now or in the future, either if they have capacity or if they do not. This is usually under a General, Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney.

As it is an offence for a bankrupt to obtain credit, if a mortgage is involved, an appropriate search is made against the names of the buyer by the buyer’s solicitors.

Approval by the local authority on the design and materials.

Someone who buys a property.

Where a seller is buying another property this leads to a chain of transactions, with some having many links.

On the day of completion the balance of the purchase price is paid by a transfer of funds between solicitors’ client accounts by electronic transfer. CHAPS means Clearing Houses Automated Payment System.

For example a cleared cheque, banker’s draft, cash, CHAPS, telegraphic transfer or BACS payment. The solicitor would require Cleared Funds in order to complete any purchase (or sale where there is negative equity).

Where two or more people jointly own a property and are legally entitled to it.

The moment when the buyer becomes the new owner of the seller’s house and the day the seller must have left the property.

This is the day that ownership of the property passes from the seller to the buyer.

A written calculation of all the receipts and payments due in respect of the transaction.

Land affected by contamination which could arise from a past use of a property (e.g. oil refinery) or by things stored on the property in the past (e.g. petrol station).

The form of legal agreement prepared in duplicate for signature by the seller and buyer setting out all the legal rights and obligations agreed between them.

A document transferring ownership of an unregistered property from one person to another.