Start with the provisional agreement. It should state the price of the flat and identify the completion day and the balance of the purchase price payable by the purchaser on that day. The Estate Agents Authority (EAA) also warns against signing an agreement with the price, deposit or completion date left blank.
What to check in the agreement
| Item | What the seller should confirm |
|---|---|
| Flat price | The agreement clearly states the price of the flat. |
| Balance payable | The balance of the purchase price to be paid by the purchaser is stated. |
| Completion day | The agreement identifies the day on which completion will take place. |
| Deposit | If this field is blank, it falls within the EAA’s warning against signing an incomplete agreement. |
What if a field is blank or unclear?
Do not sign while any of these fields remains blank. Ask the estate agent handling the sale to explain or complete the missing entry. If the legal meaning of a clause is unclear, seek legal advice before proceeding.
The seller should also compare the wording with the price and payment arrangement understood to have been agreed. A conversation alone is not a substitute for checking what appears in the document.
What must the seller confirm personally?
Before signing, confirm that the agreement shows the correct flat price, identifies the completion day, states the balance payable on that day and contains no blank deposit field. This guide cannot verify the figures or legal effect of an individual agreement; those points must be confirmed from the document and, where necessary, with the relevant professional adviser.