What to Check Before Exchange of Contracts
- Tollington Surveyors
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
What to Check Before Exchange of Contracts
Buying a property is a significant step, and exchange of contracts is the point where your purchase becomes legally binding. Before you reach that stage, it’s crucial to carry out the right checks to avoid unwanted surprises later on.
Here’s a clear summary of what you should review:
1. Read the Full Survey Report Carefully
Your RICS Home Survey (Level 2 or 3) should give you a clear understanding of the property’s condition, including structural risks, moisture concerns, roof condition, materials used, and compliance with regulations. Don’t just look at the summary — read the whole report. If anything is unclear, speak to your surveyor.
We often include recommendations to follow up with a damp specialist, roofer, or structural engineer. These reports should be obtained before you exchange contracts. Your legal adviser should also review any issues relating to building works, planning permissions, or shared elements such as drains or boundaries.
2. Check Legal Matters with Your Solicitor
Ask your solicitor to confirm:
That the legal title is clean and clearly registered
Who owns and maintains any shared areas or boundaries
That all alterations (loft conversions, extensions, knock-throughs) have both planning consent (where applicable) and Building Control approval
That no disputes or restrictive covenants are attached to the property
That planning permission exists where needed, especially in Conservation Areas
That recent insurance claims (e.g. subsidence) have been disclosed
Where building works have been carried out, it is essential to confirm that the correct consents were obtained and final approval certificates issued. This applies particularly to structural changes, changes in layout, or any works affecting fire safety, drainage, or ventilation.
These checks are essential. If anything is missing, it should be clarified before you proceed.
3. Review Specialist Reports and Quotations
Where defects have been identified — such as damp, timber decay, roof repairs or movement — ensure that you’ve received quotes from appropriate specialists. These should ideally be reviewed before committing to the purchase price. Prices can vary, so we recommend obtaining at least two estimates for major works.
4. Confirm Inclusions and Fixtures
Make sure you have in writing what is included in the sale — for example, kitchen appliances, fitted furniture, garden sheds, or outbuildings. Misunderstandings are common, and it’s best to confirm everything before exchange.
5. Revisit the Property
It’s sensible to arrange a second viewing shortly before exchange, particularly if it’s been several weeks since your survey. Check for any changes to the condition, new damage, or items removed. If furniture has been cleared, it may also reveal hidden defects.
Final Thoughts
Once you exchange, you are legally bound to purchase — so all enquiries, quotations, and inspections should be completed beforehand. Your solicitor and surveyor should work together to help you proceed with full confidence.
Whether you're buying your first flat or moving into a larger family home, we’d be pleased to assist with a RICS HomeBuyer Report or a more detailed RICS Level 3 Building Survey. As a local, independent firm with extensive experience across all of Haringey — including Finsbury Park, Crouch End, Muswell Hill, Holloway, and Tottenham — we provide clear, practical advice tailored to the property type and location. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss which survey is most appropriate for your needs or to arrange an inspection. We’re here to help you make a well-informed property decision.
Please contact us if you’d like to discuss which survey is most appropriate for your needs or to arrange an inspection. We’re here to help you make a well-informed property decision.
Tollington Surveyors is a small, locally-focused surveying company based in Stroud Green, and dedicated to serving the Haringey area. Learn more >
