Recently asked questions relating to Adam & Company transfer of equity

• Three years ago I bought a house without my partner's name on the ownership paperwork. My conveyancing solicitor claimed it is due to the fact that she is not in the mortgage with Adam & Company. Is it possible for me to put her name on the deeds?
• What if my application doesn't meet Adam & Company lending criteria for a transfer of equity?
• Adam & Company have today agreed I can take over the mortgage on the flat. I have applied for a transfer of equity but presumably there is a transfer of ownership of the title deeds in addition?
• I understand we would need at least AP1 and Transfer Deed. Is this true?
• What can I do where I am dissatisfied with the conveyancer who handled our transfer of equity conveyancing?
• How much the typical conveyancing costs are for a transfer of equity? I need to transfer equity and remortgage - new loan with Adam & Company - and have been quoted £250 plus VAT by Adam & Company's appointed conveyancer, Is this a reasonable price?
• What legal advice do I need when doing a transfer of equity where the home loan is to remain with Adam & Company?

Sample of information requested in a conveyancing solicitor form relating to Adam & Company Transfer of Equity

General Advice to read in in addition to the above Adam & Company transfer of equity information :

Tax and Legal

There are numerous potential tax and legal implications when transferring equity for your property. You should always seek the advice of a solicitor on the Adam & Company conveyancing panel and accountant before transferring equity.

Transfer of Equity Conveyancing for Leasehold premises

Should the tenure of your property be leasehold, provisions in the lease may have a requirement for notices to be served and that you have a license to do so from the freeholder. If such terms are not adhered to you may be in violation of your covenants under the lease. This could trigger the freeholder taking enforcement action against you.

Indemnity Insurance

If the transfer of equity is made pursuant to an Order of the Court, then Insolvency Indemnity Insurance is not required. In other situations, where a property is being transferred at less than market value between joint owners, an Insolvency Act Indemnity Insurance policy may be required. This is something that that your conveyancer will check with Adam & Company This is because, if the outgoing party is made bankrupt in the future, their Trustee in Bankruptcy could argue that they had transferred the property in order to avoid their creditors and apply to the Court to have the transaction set aside. If this happens, it could affect your lender or a future buyer from you as they would lose the property and the lender may not get back what they have loaned to you. The Insolvency Act Indemnity Insurance policy only protects lenders such as Adam & Company or future buyers from you. If there is no mortgage and the outgoing owner is made bankrupt, there is a risk to you that you could lose your home if the transfer is set aside. The cost of the Insolvency Act Indemnity Insurance policy is dependent on the market value of the property at the conclusion of the transfer of equity conveyancing.

Preparing the Transfer of Equity with a Adam & Company Mortgage

When it comes to preparing the the Land Registry documents your lawyer should in the ‘consideration’ panel choose the first option, if consideration is given; otherwise ignore the consideration panel altogether.

If Adam & Company is joining in the transfer to release someone from liability, put the release in the ‘additional provisions’ panel if someone is entering into a covenant relating to the charge, place it in the ‘additional provisions’ panel stamp duty land tax is not payable when there is no chargeable consideration for the transfer (Schedule 3, paragraph 1 of the Finance Act 2003). In the case of a transfer subject to a charge (even if the transfer is by way of gift) or if a property has been transferred for no value and there is an associated discharge, HMRC would view this as an assumption of an existing debt by the purchaser (Schedule 4, paragraph 8 of the Finance Act 2003) and stamp duty land tax may be payable if you wish you may state in the ‘additional provisions’ panel that ‘This transfer is made subject to a charge dated… in favour of…’

On form AP1, your conveyancing solicitor should describe the transfer as ‘transfer of equity’ to assist Land Registry staff.

Information contained within this webpage is for general information and only applies to England and Wales. It does not constitute advice for members of the public who should contact their lawyer,mortgage broker, insurer and accountant for specific advice relating to transfer of equity. Whilst we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct we do not make any representation or warranties of any kind about its completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. Lexsure will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this information.