Questions and answers: Secure Trust Bank transfer of equity

• I am planning on removing a name from a joint mortgage and the Secure Trust Bank require me to use a lawyer to carry out the legalities. Can you recommend a reasonably priced Wakefield conveyancer to deal with the transfer of equity? They need to be on the Secure Trust Bank conveyancing panel.
• I currently have a joint Secure Trust Bank mortgage with my step-brother and am investigating the possibility of him taking on the whole mortgage and subtracting myself from it, to enable me to purchase a property with my fiance. The remaining mortgage is about 175k, and the property value is in the region 450k. Is this a transfer of equity? Is stamp duty payable?
• Is it possible to transfer the equity held in my property with my Secure Trust Bank mortgage?
• I am considering remortgaging my home in Rye does my lawyer need to be on the Secure Trust Bank Solicitor panel. The conveyancing also involves a transfer of equity.
• When it comes to transfer of equity conveyancing involving refinance with Secure Trust Bank should I be charged value added tax on the following: (1) HMLR fee on the transfer of equity (2) Pre - completion search fee (3) SDLT E submission on the transfer (4) Bank TT fee
• The financial adviser has recommended their conveyancing solicitor for my Transfer of Equity plus remortgage with Secure Trust Bank - won’t it be better to just use them?
• Is there such a thing a transfer of equity stamp duty calculator?

Sample of questions in a lawyer form concerning a Secure Trust Bank Transfer of Equity

Information to consider in further to the above Secure Trust Bank transfer of equity Questions and Answers :

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 Secure Trust Bank 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 have a license to do so from the landlord. If such conditions are not strictly observed you may be in breach 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 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 conveyancing solicitor will check with Secure Trust Bank 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 Secure Trust Bank 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 valuation of the property at the conclusion of the transfer of equity conveyancing.

Preparing the Transfer of Equity with a Secure Trust Bank 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 Secure Trust Bank 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.

Content on this webpage is for general information and only applies to England and Wales. It should not be regarded as 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.