Top seven questions relating to Leeds Building Society transfer of equity

• I co-own a property in Crabtree , with a Leeds Building Society mortgage with my ex partner. He and his fiance are going to buy me out. We had the go ahead from Leeds Building Society to substitute my name with hers. The transfer of equity has to be completed by a lawyer for Leeds Building Society (apparently). In order to save fees can I do the Land Registry change?
• What should I be budgeting for when it comes to what solicitors charges are for a transfer of equity? I need to transfer equity and refinance - moving over to Leeds Building Society - and have been quoted £350 plus VAT by Leeds Building Society's approved conveyancing solicitor, Have I been over quoted?
• Having been four years estranged I have made the decision to relinquish up my share of the apartment to my husband who is refinancing with Leeds Building Society. Could this transfer of equity be done within 28 days?
• What is the process for adding or removing names (transfer of equity) to or from my Leeds Building Society mortgage account?
• Will I have to pay any fees for a Transfer of Equity where the existing home loan is with Leeds Building Society?
• Can I apply to request a further advance from Leeds Building Society as part of a Transfer of Equity?
• What if my application doesn't meet Leeds Building Society lending criteria for a transfer of equity?

Examples of questions in a conveyancer questionnaire relating to Leeds Building Society Transfer of Equity

General Advice to read in conjunction with the above Leeds Building Society transfer of equity information :

Tax and Legal

There may be various tax and legal implications when transferring equity for your property. You should always seek the advice of a solicitor on the Leeds Building Society conveyancing panel and accountant before transferring equity.

Transfer of Equity Conveyancing for Leasehold properties

Should the tenure of your property be leasehold, the lease may have a requirement for notices to be served and that you obtain the consent of the landlord. If such restrictions are not strictly observed you may be in violation of your covenants under the lease. This could potentially result in the freeholder taking enforcement action against you.

Indemnity Insurance

If the transfer of equity is made as a result of 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 Leeds Building Society 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 Leeds Building Society 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 varies based on the market value of the property at the time of completion of the transfer of equity transaction.

Preparing the Transfer of Equity with a Leeds Building Society Mortgage

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

If Leeds Building Society 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 provided on 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.