Get Estimate

Driven by our Clients

Stage 6 of Buying a House | Contract Enquiries Raised

Understanding contract enquiries when buying property: We'll ask about gas safety, restrictive covenants, services, and anything else you need to know. Expect our report soon!

January 11, 2023

Stage 6 of Buying a House | Contract Enquiries Raised

What Are Contract Enquiries?

Enquiries are questions that we submit to the seller's solicitor about the Draft Contract Pack. We will raise enquiries on:

  • Boiler/Gas safety and servicing of the property
  • Restrictive covenants
  • Gas, water, and electricity servicing
  • Anything included in the purchase of the property
  • In the case of a leasehold property, or a Freehold with a management agency, the management pack

WhY DO CONTRACT ENQUIRIES NEED TO BE RAISED?

We want to make sure that the property you are purchasing, is everything you think it is and make sure that you’re aware of any restrictions or things that could become a problem later down the line in your ownership of the property.This is also an opportunity for you to raise any questions to the seller via your solicitor such as whether the property has been burgled, if there are any disputes with the neighbours, or any information about the property that they’ve picked up from their time as residents of the property.

HOW LONG WILL ENQUIRIES TAKE?

On average, we expect to hear back from the seller’s solicitor within 10-15 working days depending on how many enquiries we have, and their complexity.

What HAPPENS WHEN WE RECEIVE THE RESPONSES?

Once we receive the responses from the seller’s solicitor, your Legal Team will review them and report back to you. If necessary, we will raise another round of enquiries. If we are satisfied with the responses from the seller’s solicitor, we will close our enquiries and proceed to review your title, search and mortgage documents and report back to you on these.

WhO SHOULD I TALK TO ABOUT THE SERVICES AT THE PROPERTY?

We recommend that prior to exchange of contracts, that you arrange via the Estate Agent, any concerns in relation to any of the services at the property that need servicing. Please be aware that there is no legal requirement for the current owners of the property to have the services checked prior to completion.Once the initial enquiries have been raised you will have the Contract Pack, Search and Mortgage Reports sent to you. It is important to note that these reports can be sent in any order and not together.

more from this department

Explore our Blogs

Read Now
Read Now
Read Now
Read Now

The Lyons Bowe App

Simplifying Law through Technology

Forget the confusing lingo and overly wordy explanations. Our app makes sense of it all. Seamless, convenient and designed with you in mind.

Client Reviews

What our Clients Say About Us

quote icon

I highly recommend them!

The team at Lyons Bowe have been great, replying promptly to any questions and always helpful. The progress updates throughout the process, has been very helpful and really keeps you informed as to where you are within the timeline.

5 stars review
The Mirror Guy, Firm Review
Review Solicitors London Logo
quote icon

An absolute gem of a firm!

Excellent service. Quietly attentive, sympathetic listeners, and efficient practitioners, all that a worried applicant could wish for. And especially unusual in this day and age....

5 stars review
Brian, Firm Review
Review Solicitors London Logo
quote icon

Lyons Bowe are genuinely amazing!

Honestly I've never wanted to review solicitors before, they've been ok and have done their job at varying timescales. From the start, my partner and I have commented every single time when something happened how quick they are, and they're a delight to communicate with too! And their app is brilliant and has made things so much easier. We will use in the future and will not stop recommending.

5 stars review
Chris, Firm Review
Review Solicitors London Logo
quote icon

Professional, approachable, and incredibly efficient

I recently used Lyons Bowe Solicitors and had the pleasure of working with Holly as my point of contact. From start to finish, the service was outstanding. Holly was professional, approachable, and incredibly efficient - she kept me updated throughout the entire process and made everything feel smooth and stress-free.

5 stars review
Manuel, Firm Review
Review Solicitors London Logo
quote icon

Excellent communication, chasing me rather than me chasing them

Rhea, and everyone so far at Lyons Bowe, have been truly fantastic. Excellent communication, chasing me rather than me chasing them, very pleasant in conversation and always ready to help. Highly recommend to anyone.

5 stars review
Rich, Firm Review
Review Solicitors London Logo
quote icon

The app keeps you informed every step of the way.

Everything was done quickly and efficiently and the app means you are kept informed every step of the way. Thank you.

5 stars review
Nina, Firm Review
Review Solicitors London Logo
quote icon
5 stars reviewReview Solicitors London Logo
quote icon
5 stars reviewReview Solicitors London Logo
quote icon
5 stars reviewReview Solicitors London Logo
quote icon
5 stars reviewReview Solicitors London Logo
quote icon
5 stars reviewReview Solicitors London Logo
quote icon
5 stars reviewReview Solicitors London Logo

Sources from:

review solicitors logogoogle logofacebook logotrust pilot logo

Offices

Where You Will Find Us

Bath

Visit

Bournemouth

Visit

Bridgwater

Visit

Bristol

Visit

Cardiff

Visit

Cheltenham

Visit

Exeter

Visit

Frome

Visit

Keynsham

Visit

Shepton Mallet

Visit

Bristol

Visit

Bridgwater

Visit

Bath

Visit

Bournemouth

Visit

Bridgwater

Visit

Bristol

Visit

Cardiff

Visit

Cheltenham

Visit

Exeter

Visit

Frome

Visit

Keynsham

Visit

Shepton Mallet

Visit