Examples of recent questions relating to Platform transfer of equity

• Will I have to pay any charges for a Transfer of Equity where the current home loan is with Platform?
• What is the process for having a person removed from the deeds to a property where the home loan is with Platform
• What can I do where I am dissatisfied with the lawyer who conducted our transfer of equity conveyancing?
• I am filling out a Platform transfer of equity application and have come to the section that asks about debts etc. There are some debts that I have been clearing since 2007, in fact they have long since disappeared from my credit rating. Do I need to set these out?
• How much the typical solicitors fees are for a transfer of equity? I need to transfer equity and refinance - moving over to Platform - and have been quoted Four Hundred pounds excluding VAT by Platform's approved conveyancer, Have I been over quoted?
• I am thinking of mortgaging my apartment in Littleborough does my lawyer need to be on the Platform Conveyancing panel. The conveyancing also involves a transfer of equity.
• What legal advice do I need when doing a transfer of equity where the home loan is to remain with Platform?

Information that may be required from your conveyancer could ask in relation to your Platform Transfer of Equity

General Advice to read in conjunction with the above Platform 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 Platform conveyancing panel and accountant before transferring equity.

Transfer of Equity Conveyancing for Leasehold premises

If your property is 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 conditions are not complied with you may be in breach 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 Platform 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 Platform 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 valuation of the property at the conclusion of the transfer of equity transaction.

Preparing the Transfer of Equity with a Platform Mortgage

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

If Platform 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 lawyer 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.