Draft Contract Review — decoding the legal small-print
What this milestone means
Your conveyancer has received the seller's draft contract pack (contract, title documents, TA6/TA10 forms, searches and any warranties) and is now combing through every clause. Their goal is to make sure you get clean, marketable title and aren't buying hidden headaches.
What a draft-contract review actually covers
- Price & parties – confirms the agreed figure and correct buyer/seller names
- Title & plan – checks boundaries, rights of way, restrictive covenants and more
- Fixtures & fittings – makes sure the TA10 matches what you think you're getting
- Searches – correlates contract with local, drainage and environmental reports
- Special conditions – flags deadlines, retention clauses, or "subject to" wording
Why this matters for buyers
- Risk shield – uncovers legal issues before you're locked in at exchange
- Cash saver – problems found now can be fixed by the seller
- Timeline keeper – a proactive review early on prevents frantic, late enquiries
What's happening behind the scenes
- Conveyancer reads the contract line-by-line, cross-checks with the Moove Ready pack or seller searches
- Drafts a list of initial enquiries for the seller's solicitor (missing documents, unclear boundaries, indemnity needs)
- They should then upload a summary to your Moove Room so you see progress in real time
Your action list right now
- Check the Fixtures & Fittings list — flag any surprises (e.g., dishwasher now excluded)
- Upload extra info in to your Moove Room if your conveyancer asks (insurance quotes, warranty certificates)
- Make sure your notifications are switched on in the Open Moove app
Coming up next
- Seller's solicitor replies to each enquiry
- Your survey report lands and may spark further questions
- Once answers are satisfactory, you'll receive a Report on Title to sign off before exchange
Pro tip: If your conveyancer suggests an indemnity policy (for missing building-reg sign-off, for example) it's often cheaper and quicker than chasing historic paperwork.
Need help deciphering a covenant or special condition? Ping MeredithAI 24/7—we'll translate the legalese into plain English so you can sign with confidence.