Standard house purchase terms go to new edition
A new version of the Scottish Standard Clauses used by solicitors acting for clients buying and selling houses has been published.
The Scottish Conveyancers Forum has released the fifth edition of the Scottish Standard Clauses, with a suggested start date for their use of 29 August 2022.
A briefing note published with the new edition highlights that the changes include:
- smoke alarms, CO alarms and heat sensors are now included in the list of expected fittings, though solicitors will not be involved in checking compliance with the regulations given that these are technical matters;
- matters the seller is asked to declare they are not aware of now include Japanese knotweed or other invasive plant species;
- the seller's warranties regarding alterations to the property have been amended;
- it will no longer be expected that a draft advance notice (which secures priority of deeds for registration in the Land Register) will be adjusted between the parties' solicitors;
- it is now the default position that the price will be paid by electronic transfer.
The latest version is being promoted by the Scottish Conveyancers Forum, which it is hoped will become a nationwide forum, supplementing rather than supplanting more local bodies which will continue to have a local focus.