When you are buying a property, it is important that you know what you are paying for. There can be hidden surprises and factors you may not consider, like the potential for flooding or the effect of old mining activity in the area. That is why it pays to instruct specialist property solicitors to make sure all the necessary checks and surveys are carried out.

At BuchananBurton, we provide a wide range of services to property buyers, including instructing surveys. We ensure no stone is left unturned so our clients are fully informed when they are buying their next property. For straightforward, practical advice on all aspects of your property purchase, get in touch with us today.

Home Report

The expert Conveyancing Solicitors at BuchananBurton can help you review and assess the Home Report provided by the seller. All houses for sale in Scotland must be marketed with a Home Report. It is a pack of three documents:

• A single survey, which contains an assessment by a surveyor of the condition of the home, a valuation and an accessibility audit for people with particular needs.
• An energy report, which contains an assessment by a surveyor of the energy efficiency of the home, and its environmental impact. It also recommends ways to improve energy efficiency.
• A property questionnaire, which is completed by the seller and contains useful information about the property, such as council tax banding and factoring costs.

While the Home Report is useful, it is often the case that it is not detailed enough to offer you the peace of mind you need when buying a property. That is where independent surveys can help.

Independent Surveys

Your mortgage provider will arrange a survey of the property but it is strongly recommended that you instruct your own survey so you are fully aware of any problems with the property before you buy. There are three main types of survey, and we will provide advice on which one, or combination, would be the most appropriate and cost-effective for your purchase.

• Mortgage valuation report (scheme 1 survey). This is the cheapest type of inspection and is carried out with a view to providing a valuation for the purposes of getting a mortgage.
• Homebuyers report (scheme 2 survey). This will examine the structure of the property as well as the value, and should identify any existing or future problems with it.
• Full structural survey (buildings survey). This is expensive, but it provides the most thorough inspection of the property.

When helping you instruct a survey, the Conveyancing Solicitors at BuchananBurton will ensure the surveyor is a member of one of the necessary professional bodies, so you are confident that they will do the job properly. These include:

• the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors;
• the Incorporated Society of Valuers and Auctioneers; and
• the Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors.

In the event, that there are issues with the property, you will need to decide whether you want to continue with the purchase, and if so, how much it will cost to rectify the issues and who will bear the cost.

New Build Guarantee

Most new properties in Scotland are covered by a guarantee scheme to protect you against any major structural faults, which may develop up to 10 years after the property is built. However, if a new property is not covered by one of these schemes, it may be the case that a lender would still be happy to provide a mortgage if the property was built under the supervision of an architect or a surveyor.

Local Knowledge

Local knowledge is paramount when it comes to identifying any issues that may affect the property you are buying. For instance, we may need to investigate the flood risk in the area. While the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) provides flood maps, it is also very helpful to know the area.

We are local solicitors for clients in East Kilbride, Strathaven, Thorntonhall, Carmunnock, Hamilton, Clarkston, Busby and the surrounding areas. We are well placed not only to carry out the legal technicalities when it comes to instructing surveys, but also in knowing the issues that may arise, simply because we are locals.

Contact our Conveyancing Solicitors – Providing Legal Services within East Kilbride, Hamilton, Strathaven & Glasgow South Side

At BuchananBurton, we speak your language. Our advice is down-to-earth and practical – giving you real solutions to your everyday problems. Our solicitors offer cost-effective solutions to your legal needs, ensuring you have a good understanding of your options every step of the way.

Pop into our office, give us a call on 01355 249 228 or contact us via our online contact form and someone will be in touch shortly.

At BuchananBurton, our specialist Commercial Property Solicitors can help with every aspect of your commercial property purchase. Whether you are a business looking for new premises, an investor searching for a project property or a commercial landlord hoping to expand your portfolio, contact BuchananBurton today and we will help you achieve your commercial property aspirations.

Commercial Leases

Commercial leases are binding contracts between a commercial landlord and a business tenant that allow the tenant to use the property for a commercial activity for a set amount of time in exchange for rent. Commercial property law is complex, and commercial leases tend to be granted for between 5 and 10 years, so it is vital before you sign a lease that you seek expert legal assistance to ensure the terms you are about to agree to are acceptable. We can help you review and negotiate the full range of commercial lease terms, including:

• Repairs. Usually the tenant has full responsibility for carrying out repairs, and for paying the landlord’s premium on the buildings insurance policy.
• Dilapidations. At the end of a lease, the landlord will serve a Schedule outlining what repairs need to be made to put the property back into the condition it was in prior to the lease commencing. However, some of the things outlined in this document may not be the tenant’s responsibility.
• Alienation. A tenant cannot just surrender their interest in the lease unless they are granted a specific right to do so. Usually, if a tenant wants to dispose of their interest in the property, they must find someone else to take it over. This is called assignation.
• Fees. In addition to rent, a tenant might need to pay local authority rates, insurance premium, service charge, VAT on rent and possibly the landlord’s legal fees.
• Reasonableness. In Scotland, the law does not assume that a party will act reasonably unless it is specifically stated. This means it must be clearly stated that the landlord will use their discretion reasonably.
• Time. Timescales laid down in the lease should be strictly adhered to.
• Termination of the lease. Just because the lease has reached its end, does not necessarily mean it has ended. Notice must be served by either party on the other. If this does not happen, the lease will continue on a year-to-year basis.

We can assist throughout the commercial lease process, from finding the right property to signing the lease, so contact us today to get your transaction started.

Buying Commercial Property

If you are looking to buy a commercial property, such as an office, retail or leisure premises, the Commercial Property Lawyers at BuchananBurton can help you find and purchase a property that meets your business needs. We can provide advice and assistance throughout your purchase, including on:

• Financing the purchase (e.g. with a commercial mortgage).
• Putting in an offer and negotiating a purchase price with the seller’s agent.
• Making sure all title and local authority searches are clear, including:
• title; rights of way; boundaries; use of property; disputes; utilities; and mining or environmental issues.
• Negotiating final details of the contract with the seller.
• Arranging a commercial property survey.
• Arranging local authority planning consents (if you plan to develop the property).
• Exchanging contracts.
• Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and VAT.
• Registering your property with the Registers of Scotland.

Contact our Commercial Property Solicitors – Providing Legal Services within East Kilbride, Hamilton, Strathaven & Glasgow South Side

At BuchananBurton, we speak your language. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure that the purchase of your commercial property goes through with minimal fuss.

Our advice is down-to-earth and practical – giving you real solutions to your everyday problems. Our solicitors offer cost-effective solutions to your legal needs, ensuring you have a good understanding of your options every step of the way. We serve clients in East Kilbride, Strathaven, Thorntonhall, Carmunnock, Hamilton, Clarkston, Busby and the surrounding areas.

Pop into our office, give us a call on 01355 249 228 or contact us via our online contact form and someone will be in touch shortly.

Buying your first home is one of the most exciting times in your life – but it can also be one of the most stressful. When it comes to purchasing the house you are going to spend the next five, ten, twenty or more years of your life, it is important that every part of the buying process is done right.

With BuchananBurton you get both an estate agent and conveyancing law firm in one. We are a one-stop shop for your property buying needs. We will make sure the whole process is smooth and stress-free so you concentrate on enjoying this exciting chapter of your life. Contact us today to find out how we can with any aspect of your property purchase.

Buying a Home – First Steps

It can be difficult to know where to start with buying your first home. We can guide you throughout the process, including with these first steps:

1. Establish how much you can afford. When you are clear about your financial position it makes your property search more focused and will give you confidence that you are looking for the right homes. We can help you find a reputable mortgage provider so you can be sure you are getting the best advice and deals.
2. Start looking for properties. We will listen to your priorities and wishes and help you find a home that ticks all your boxes.
3. Register a ‘note of interest’ with the seller’s agent. This shows you are interested in the property and want to be notified of any developments, like a closing date for submitting offers.
4. Submit an offer on your dream home. At BuchananBurton, we will provide expert advice for your offer and help you negotiate an acceptable purchase price.

Conveyancing

Conveyancing is where the ownership of the property is transferred from the seller to the buyer. This can be a tense stage for buyers as it can be subject to delays and the seller can pull out before the contract has been completed. We pride ourselves on our extensive conveyancing experience and use this knowledge to identify and resolve potential issues quickly, helping to minimise stress and delays for our clients. We will take care of the following:

• Monitor the chain of buyers and sellers. It is important to note that there is usually a chain of buyers and sellers, and the longer this chain is, the longer the purchase will take to complete – and the higher the chance the sale will fall through. That is why it is beneficial to have BuchananBurton’s experience and expertise on your side.
• Obtain the contract pack from the seller.
• Raise your pre-contract enquiries and negotiate the contract terms with the seller.
• Undertake searches of the Registers of Scotland and other necessary databases. While we carry out searches and check with the local authority to find out whether there are any planning permissions affecting the property, we can also check the Home Report, which will help you understand how much the property is going to cost you to run. It includes:
• an energy report;
• a survey; and
• a property questionnaire.
• Arrange home surveys (including home condition surveys, homebuyer reports and structural reports).
• Exchange contracts.
• Prepare a draft transfer deed and completion information form to send to the seller.
• Prepare a completion statement and carrying out pre-completion searches.
• Send the proceeds of sale to the seller’s lawyer.
• Conclude the missives.
• Complete the sale and receive the keys to the property.

Afterwards, we will make sure that the Lands and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) has been paid on the property, and that your new home is registered in your name in the land register.

Local Knowledge

Having solicitors with local knowledge is invaluable when you are buying your first property – especially if you are new to an area. At BuchananBurton, we serve clients in East Kilbride, Strathaven, Thorntonhall, Carmunnock, Hamilton, Clarkston, Busby and the surrounding areas. We can give you advice on property prices or on any specific issues with certain areas; for instance, if there was once mining in the area.

Contact our Conveyancing Solicitors – Providing Legal Services within East Kilbride, Hamilton, Strathaven & Glasgow South Side

At BuchananBurton, we speak your language. Our advice is down-to-earth and practical – giving you real solutions to your everyday problems. Our solicitors offer cost-effective solutions to your legal needs, ensuring you have a good understanding of your options every step of the way.

Pop into our office, give us a call on 01355 249 228 or contact us via our online contact form and someone will be in touch shortly.