The Welcome Pack is an important collection of documents sent by the conveyancer to the seller and/or buyer at the start of the conveyancing process. The usual timescale for the client to receive the Welcome Pack is within a week of instruction to the conveyancer.
How quickly do I need to return the information in the Welcome Pack?
The documents contained in the Welcome Pack need to be completed accurately and returned to the conveyancer quickly. Providing your supporting documentation at the same time is also important. Doing this can really help speed up conveyancing timescales as your conveyancer will not start working on a file until this information is returned.
What information does the Welcome Pack contain?
The Welcome Pack is a collection of standard documentation as follows:
Authority and Instructions / Letter of Engagement
The Letter of Engagement sets out the terms business of the conveyancer within a formal document. It ensures that all parties understand the services being provided, the associated costs and agreement to the terms and conditions of the business. This letter must be signed and returned by the client to their respective conveyancer before the conveyancing work can begin.
Client Information Form
This form will ask for information about the property, the people involved in the transaction and finance details. More specifically this will include the buyers and the seller’s details, information about the sale and purchase property, any mortgages and loans on the vendors property and any mortgage and/or funding requirements for the purchase.
Property Information Form (TA6)
The Property Information Form is one of three standard Law Society forms which a seller is required to complete. It requires the seller to answer questions about their property and provide documentation that covers information such as the property boundaries, alterations, planning and building permissions, guarantees and warranties such as for windows or damp proofing work, connections and details for utilities and any disputes. It provides the buyer and the buyers conveyancer with information about the property being sold and forms the basis of the contract.
Fixtures & Contents Form (TA10)
Also referred to as the Fixtures and Fittings Form, this form allows the seller to define the fixtures and fittings in their property and what is being left behind or taken. It covers basic fittings such as electric sockets, house alarms, heaters, and radiators. It also covers carpets, curtains, blinds and curtain rails, white goods such as a dishwasher and washing machine, light fittings and fitted units. It is a legally binding document so if something is taken from the property that was stated on the form as staying, then the buyer has a legal right to make a legal claim.
Leasehold Information Form (in the case of the sale of a leasehold property) (TA7)
This form is only applicable if the property being sold is a leasehold property. In the situation, as well as a Welcome Pack there will an additional pack called the Leasehold Information Pack that the seller needs to get their managing agent or freeholder to complete. There is a large amount of information required such as the lease agreement, maintenance information, service charges, ground rent and statements and demands for payments.
Specimen forms are available to view on the Law Society website.
Proof of identity details
Identity checks and anti-money (AML) are an important part of the conveyancing process. The documentation required is usually outlined in the Client Information Form provided in the Welcome Pack.
As part of the service we provide at Home Legal Direct and to help get you moving quicker, we start the identity check process on your conveyancers behalf as soon as you instruct with us. Speak to a member of conveyancing support team for more information.
We are here to help
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.