The procedure for purchasing a share transfer property in Jersey

When you buy a flat or unit by share transfer, you are purchasing shares in a company. The company owns the property and your ownership of the shares gives you a right to occupy the flat or unit, as the case may be.

The share transfer property procedure in Jersey

Review of draft contract of sale – the share vending agreement (the “SVA”)

The share transfer in the company is conveyed by way of an SVA. It is the ownership of these shares which give you the right to occupy the flat or unit within the property owned by the company. The SVA is provided by the vendor’s lawyer.

Amongst other matters, the SVA will set out the shares to be sold and the amount the shares are to be sold for. Furthermore, the SVA will contain warranties. These will be given by the vendor in relation to the company, the property and the unit that you will be occupying. It is common for the SVA to contain a damages clause, which could be used against a party who, after signing the SVA, does not proceed with the transaction.

Review of the company books

The company is legally obligated to maintain detailed registers relating to the directors, secretary and shareholders. Our residential property lawyers will inspect the registers to check that these are up to date and accurate. We will also review the minute book to check that the company is being managed satisfactorily.

The company business is guided by its Articles of Association (the “Articles”). The Articles will set out how the company will be run, the rights of the shareholders, directors and details of the different units. The Articles are in effect the agreement between the company, the directors and the shareholders. We will review the Articles to ensure that they are satisfactory in relation to your ownership of the shares. Furthermore, we will check the company’s memorandum, which sets out the name of the company and its registry number.

We will also check that the company has a current insurance policy covering the buildings and third-party liability. We do not, however, review the terms and conditions and appropriateness of such policy as this is the responsibility of the company. Please note that you will need to take out additional insurance in relation to your own contents insurance, as this is not covered under the building insurance.

We will also obtain details of the current service charges applicable to the unit and whether any additional charges are due to be made. Clearly, the service charges can increase and this is no more than a snapshot at the time of the request.

We will also obtain a copy of the latest accounts for the company. Please note that we are not qualified to provide advice on the accounts and, as such, you may wish to arrange to have an appropriately qualified person review these accounts.

Checking title

While the company will already have purchased the property, we will carry out a title check in the Public Registry. This is to ensure that all is in order with the property and that no material issues have been overlooked.

It should be noted that a title check will not reveal the existence of certain rights, such as the rights of widowers or widows.

Searches

We will send out search letters to the various agencies that may be able to provide information in respect of the property.

Search letters are commonly sent to Planning, Department of Infrastructure, the relevant parish, Jersey Electricity, Jersey Water and, depending on the property, Jersey Gas, Rent Control Tribunal and Public Health. The various agencies each levy a fee for this information.

All agencies now put disclaimers on the accuracy of the information they provide. The Purchaser’s lawyer is, therefore, not liable if the information provided to them is incorrect.

Site Visit

As soon as possible after title has been checked and the search letter replies have been reviewed, Parslows conveyancers will attend onsite. The purpose of the site visit is to ensure that the company’s sale contract corresponds with the circumstances onsite. We will thereafter discuss any defects and or issues with you. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to request that any such defects be dealt with by the Company or a neighbour, or to obtain defective title insurance cover.

Housing

To buy share transfer property in Jersey that you intend to occupy, you must hold a valid registration card providing entitlement to purchase.

Funding

In circumstances where you require to borrow, your advisor will assist you with the application for a bank loan. If and when your loan is approved, it is essential that you sign the facility agreement and return it to the bank as soon as possible to avoid delays to your share transfer. A satisfactory survey and valuation are likely to be a condition of any loan.

Thereafter we can advise you on the legal implications of entering into the bank’s security documents; for example, what will happen if you do not keep up your loan repayments.

Please note that if a balance of funds is to be paid to make up the difference in the price payable for the property, you must make sure that it is with us at least two days immediately prior to the passing of the SVA.

Other issues you need to be aware of …

Survey and valuation

Please take note that while your bank will request a survey and a valuation, this is to ensure that its loan to you is safeguarded. This is not necessarily comprehensive and you should consider carefully the benefit of instructing a surveyor to carry out a full survey. If you don’t have a survey, any defects found after you buy will be your responsibility. The survey should be carried out on the buildings owned by the company as a whole, as opposed to just the unit itself, because the company, and effectively you and the other shareholders (if any), will have liability in relation to the structure of the buildings, the common areas and any works that may be necessary.

Inventory

If you have agreed to buy contents from the vendor, it is essential that these are listed in an inventory, and this should be drawn up by the estate agent as soon as possible after the offer has been accepted so that no nasty surprises or last-minute price reductions arise on the eve of completion. Both parties should review the inventory to ensure that they are receiving (or selling) all the contents that they understood were part of the deal.

Land transfer tax

Land transfer tax (“LTT”) is levied by the Treasurer of the States and is applicable to every contract which is passed. LLT is payable by the buyer. It is calculated by reference to the purchase price and is also payable in respect of any mortgages or loans to be secured against the shares.
GST

Wholly residential property is free from goods and services tax. If the share transfer property which you are buying does not fall within that category, we will discuss GST with you further; it is payable by the buyer when applicable.

Utilities and insurance

You will need to ensure that all utility accounts are transferred into your name, in readiness for the day of completion. It is usual for a buyer to communicate with the vendor directly to ensure the smooth transfer of the various services supplied to the flat or unit, and that no service is unnecessarily disconnected.

It is essential that you are covered by contents insurance from the time of passing contract, and you should provisionally arrange this well in advance and call your insurer to confirm and issue a cover note before the contract is passed.

Apportionments

The SVA will provide for the apportioning of the parish rates and other periodic payments between the vendor and purchaser.

The big day … buying your new home

Signing the SVA

Once we have completed our review of the company records and the property, met with you and returned the loan documentation, you should be ready to purchase the shares giving you the right to occupy your unit.

To buy share transfer property in Jersey, you do not attend Court. Instead, you will be required to sign the SVA. This can be signed on any day of the week.

Possession

Agreement as to possession should be arranged well in advance via the estate agent. Care should be taken when agreeing extended possession periods with regard to issues such as insurance and liability for damage, or even destruction of the property and or flat/ unit during this period.