The Small Print

As you will have gathered we take great pride in the transparency and honesty of our services and we will always be straightforward in our dealings. We include this page as part of our charter obligations, to let you know what snags or difficulties might arise. Thankfully such things are rare but we want to be as full as possible in our disclosure to you on this website.

Our two main commitments are firstly to agree within seven working days a price at which we will buy your property and secondly, never to back out of a purchase once agreed. Very occasionally things don’t work out and here are the main reasons why.

Firstly, our promise to agree a deal within seven working days can occasionally be frustrated. The seven days runs from the day you contact us to request the valuation to the day we confirm our offer. The main job to be done in this time is of course the valuation. The valuation must be done thoroughly to ensure the correct figure so there can be no shortcuts, but seven days is sufficient provided there are no unforeseen difficulties. To some extent we are dependant on the availability of a valuer in your area. And occasionally, when the valuation business is very busy, or at peak holiday times, it proves impossible for a valuer to meet our timescales. Also, the valuer must book an appointment with you to view the property and if your own availability is limited then this can delay the appointment and so the production of the valuation report. Very occasionally a property is so unusual that further research must be carried out in order to arrive at the correct valuation and this can take extra time. If your property is straightforward, you are available at short notice for the valuation visit, and there are no manpower difficulties with the valuers then our seven day target will be easily met.

Secondly, once we have agreed to buy your property we never pull out. However, there may be occasions when legal matters prevent us from proceeding. Very occasionally our solicitors uncover a defect in title or a legal obstacle on a property which prevents our purchase and in these circumstances we have to pull out. Below is a list of examples. If you are aware of any potential difficulties then please tell us right away, we may be able to organise a way round such difficulties.

If your property is straightforward with no legal or title issues then don’t worry. The purchase will sail through along with the vast majority of purchases we make

1. Right of Access - On a couple of occasions we have agreed to buy a property where there is no vehicular right of access. This can arise for example where a property is built on the rear garden of another property and whilst a practical route has been installed the developer has failed to have this approved by the highways department. Unless such a defect is remedied we would have to pull out of the purchase.

2. Sheltered Accommodation - Some apartments are restricted in their ownership to older people only. Typically they may only be owned by individuals aged 55 or over. Ownership by a company is often prohibited by covenants within the deeds and if such a matter comes to light we have no choice but to pull out of the purchase

3. Planning Permission - If a property has been modified or extended in a way which requires planning permission and such permission was not granted at the time then, unless this can be granted retrospectively at the sellers expense, we would withdraw from the purchase.

4. Building Regulations - In a similar way to planning permission we occasionally come across properties where work has been carried out without building regulations approval. Again in such circumstances unless the problem can be sorted out retrospectively then we will withdraw from the purchase.

5. Restrictive Covenants - If our lawyers uncover any restrictive covenants, such as onerous rights of way or restrictions on land usage, then again on legal advice we may be constrained to pull out.

This list is illustrative only, there may be other problems which prevent a purchase. Once again though, let us stress that such problems are few and far between. If you are aware of any such matters with respect to your own property then please let us know about them at the outset, often by knowing well in advance we can sort the difficulty out in good time.