LPC UK REAL ESTATE MASTER GUIDE DISTINCTION NOTES ULAW SPECIFIC
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED
(2026/2027
LPC (UK) — REAL ESTATE
300 Questions & Answers
Distinction-Level Notes | University of Law (Ulaw) Specific
FREEHOLD CONVEYANCING — PRE-CONTRACT
Q1. What are the five stages of a freehold conveyancing transaction?
ANSWER 1) Pre-contract/investigation of title; 2) Exchange of contracts;
3) Post-exchange/pre-completion; 4) Completion; 5) Post-completion.
Q2. What does a seller's solicitor do at the pre-contract stage?
ANSWER Obtains the title deeds or official copies from Land Registry,
drafts the contract, raises any necessary enquiries, and prepares the
contract package (draft contract, official copies/title deeds, Property
Information Form (TA6), Fittings and Contents Form (TA10), any relevant
documents).
Q3. What does a buyer's solicitor do at the pre-contract stage?
ANSWER Reviews the contract package, raises pre-contract enquiries
(CPSE or TA questions), makes searches (local authority, drainage,
environmental, etc.), reviews title, obtains mortgage instructions if
applicable, and advises the buyer on all results.
Q4. What is the TA6 form?
ANSWER The Property Information Form — a standard form completed
by the seller (via Law Society) providing information about the property
, including boundaries, disputes, notices, alterations, services, and
environmental matters.
Q5. What is the TA10 form?
ANSWER The Fittings and Contents Form — a standard form listing items
at the property that are included in, or excluded from, the sale price.
Q6. What are 'official copies' and why are they important?
ANSWER Official copies are Land Registry certified copies of the register
entries (title register and title plan). They constitute evidence of title for
registered land (s.67 Land Registration Act 2002) and are used in place of
original title deeds.
Q7. What are the three registers that make up the registered title?
ANSWER 1) Property Register (describes the property and estate); 2)
Proprietorship Register (names the registered proprietor and any
restrictions); 3) Charges Register (mortgages and other encumbrances).
Q8. What is an 'absolute title' and why is it the best class?
ANSWER Absolute title (freehold or leasehold) is the best class — it gives
the proprietor title free from all adverse interests except overriding interests,
entries on the register, and interests of persons in occupation. It confers
maximum security.
Q9. What other classes of registered title exist?
ANSWER Qualified title (absolute except for a specified defect),
possessory title (based on actual possession — no documentary proof),
and (for leasehold) good leasehold title (freehold not investigated).
Q10. What is the purpose of a local authority search (LLC1 + CON29)?
ANSWER LLC1 searches the local land charges register for matters such
as planning conditions, financial charges, listed building status. CON29
raises enquiries with the local authority about planning permissions, road
schemes, tree preservation orders, and similar matters.
Q11. What is a CON29O (Optional Enquiries) form?
, ANSWER An additional form of optional enquiries to the local authority
covering matters such as road schemes, commons registration, and public
footpaths — raised at the buyer's discretion where relevant.
Q12. What does a drainage and water search reveal?
ANSWER Whether the property is connected to a public sewer and public
water supply, and whether any public sewers run through the property
(which would restrict development).
Q13. When is an environmental search particularly important?
ANSWER For properties that may be situated on or near contaminated
land, former industrial sites, or landfill sites — lenders now commonly
require environmental searches and a buyer's solicitor should recommend
one regardless.
Q14. What is a chancel repair search?
ANSWER A search to determine whether the property may be subject to a
liability to contribute to the repair of the chancel of a parish church — a
potentially unlimited liability arising from historic ownership. Chancel repair
liability was removed as an overriding interest from 13 October 2013, so
only binding if registered.
Q15. What is the effect of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1989, s.2 on contracts for the sale of land?
ANSWER A contract for the sale or other disposition of an interest in land
must be made in writing, incorporate all the expressly agreed terms, and be
signed by or on behalf of each party. Failure to comply renders the contract
void.
Q16. What are the two methods of exchange of contracts?
ANSWER Exchange in person (both solicitors exchange physical copies)
or by telephone — using formulae A, B, or C (Law Society Telephone/Telex
Exchange Formulae).
Q17. What is Formula A for telephone exchange?
, ANSWER Used where one solicitor holds both parts signed. That solicitor
confirms they hold both parts and undertakes to send the other party's part
that day.
Q18. What is Formula B for telephone exchange?
ANSWER Each solicitor holds their own client's signed part. They agree
that contracts are exchanged at the moment of the telephone call, and each
undertakes to send their part to the other that day.
Q19. What is Formula C for telephone exchange?
ANSWER A two-stage formula used in chains — a memorandum is taken
of the conversation, and exchange is conditional on an agreed event (e.g.,
seller's solicitor's exchange with their own seller).
Q20. What happens on exchange of contracts?
ANSWER The parties become legally bound. The buyer is at risk of the
property (under SC 5.1 risk passes on exchange). A deposit (usually 10%)
becomes payable, and a completion date is fixed.
Q21. What are the Standard Conditions of Sale (SCS) and what edition is
current?
ANSWER Standard Conditions of Sale are the most commonly used set
of contractual conditions for residential conveyancing. The 5th Edition is
current (incorporating 2018 amendments).
Q22. Under SCS, what is the default deposit amount and to whom is it
paid?
ANSWER 10% of the purchase price (SC 2.2.1). It is paid to the seller's
solicitor as stakeholder (SC 2.2.5) — they cannot release it until completion
or the contract is rescinded.
Q23. What is the difference between a deposit held as 'stakeholder' vs
'agent'?
ANSWER Stakeholder: held on behalf of both parties, cannot be released
to seller without buyer's consent or court order. Agent: held on behalf of the
seller, seller can have immediate access. SCS default is stakeholder.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED
(2026/2027
LPC (UK) — REAL ESTATE
300 Questions & Answers
Distinction-Level Notes | University of Law (Ulaw) Specific
FREEHOLD CONVEYANCING — PRE-CONTRACT
Q1. What are the five stages of a freehold conveyancing transaction?
ANSWER 1) Pre-contract/investigation of title; 2) Exchange of contracts;
3) Post-exchange/pre-completion; 4) Completion; 5) Post-completion.
Q2. What does a seller's solicitor do at the pre-contract stage?
ANSWER Obtains the title deeds or official copies from Land Registry,
drafts the contract, raises any necessary enquiries, and prepares the
contract package (draft contract, official copies/title deeds, Property
Information Form (TA6), Fittings and Contents Form (TA10), any relevant
documents).
Q3. What does a buyer's solicitor do at the pre-contract stage?
ANSWER Reviews the contract package, raises pre-contract enquiries
(CPSE or TA questions), makes searches (local authority, drainage,
environmental, etc.), reviews title, obtains mortgage instructions if
applicable, and advises the buyer on all results.
Q4. What is the TA6 form?
ANSWER The Property Information Form — a standard form completed
by the seller (via Law Society) providing information about the property
, including boundaries, disputes, notices, alterations, services, and
environmental matters.
Q5. What is the TA10 form?
ANSWER The Fittings and Contents Form — a standard form listing items
at the property that are included in, or excluded from, the sale price.
Q6. What are 'official copies' and why are they important?
ANSWER Official copies are Land Registry certified copies of the register
entries (title register and title plan). They constitute evidence of title for
registered land (s.67 Land Registration Act 2002) and are used in place of
original title deeds.
Q7. What are the three registers that make up the registered title?
ANSWER 1) Property Register (describes the property and estate); 2)
Proprietorship Register (names the registered proprietor and any
restrictions); 3) Charges Register (mortgages and other encumbrances).
Q8. What is an 'absolute title' and why is it the best class?
ANSWER Absolute title (freehold or leasehold) is the best class — it gives
the proprietor title free from all adverse interests except overriding interests,
entries on the register, and interests of persons in occupation. It confers
maximum security.
Q9. What other classes of registered title exist?
ANSWER Qualified title (absolute except for a specified defect),
possessory title (based on actual possession — no documentary proof),
and (for leasehold) good leasehold title (freehold not investigated).
Q10. What is the purpose of a local authority search (LLC1 + CON29)?
ANSWER LLC1 searches the local land charges register for matters such
as planning conditions, financial charges, listed building status. CON29
raises enquiries with the local authority about planning permissions, road
schemes, tree preservation orders, and similar matters.
Q11. What is a CON29O (Optional Enquiries) form?
, ANSWER An additional form of optional enquiries to the local authority
covering matters such as road schemes, commons registration, and public
footpaths — raised at the buyer's discretion where relevant.
Q12. What does a drainage and water search reveal?
ANSWER Whether the property is connected to a public sewer and public
water supply, and whether any public sewers run through the property
(which would restrict development).
Q13. When is an environmental search particularly important?
ANSWER For properties that may be situated on or near contaminated
land, former industrial sites, or landfill sites — lenders now commonly
require environmental searches and a buyer's solicitor should recommend
one regardless.
Q14. What is a chancel repair search?
ANSWER A search to determine whether the property may be subject to a
liability to contribute to the repair of the chancel of a parish church — a
potentially unlimited liability arising from historic ownership. Chancel repair
liability was removed as an overriding interest from 13 October 2013, so
only binding if registered.
Q15. What is the effect of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions)
Act 1989, s.2 on contracts for the sale of land?
ANSWER A contract for the sale or other disposition of an interest in land
must be made in writing, incorporate all the expressly agreed terms, and be
signed by or on behalf of each party. Failure to comply renders the contract
void.
Q16. What are the two methods of exchange of contracts?
ANSWER Exchange in person (both solicitors exchange physical copies)
or by telephone — using formulae A, B, or C (Law Society Telephone/Telex
Exchange Formulae).
Q17. What is Formula A for telephone exchange?
, ANSWER Used where one solicitor holds both parts signed. That solicitor
confirms they hold both parts and undertakes to send the other party's part
that day.
Q18. What is Formula B for telephone exchange?
ANSWER Each solicitor holds their own client's signed part. They agree
that contracts are exchanged at the moment of the telephone call, and each
undertakes to send their part to the other that day.
Q19. What is Formula C for telephone exchange?
ANSWER A two-stage formula used in chains — a memorandum is taken
of the conversation, and exchange is conditional on an agreed event (e.g.,
seller's solicitor's exchange with their own seller).
Q20. What happens on exchange of contracts?
ANSWER The parties become legally bound. The buyer is at risk of the
property (under SC 5.1 risk passes on exchange). A deposit (usually 10%)
becomes payable, and a completion date is fixed.
Q21. What are the Standard Conditions of Sale (SCS) and what edition is
current?
ANSWER Standard Conditions of Sale are the most commonly used set
of contractual conditions for residential conveyancing. The 5th Edition is
current (incorporating 2018 amendments).
Q22. Under SCS, what is the default deposit amount and to whom is it
paid?
ANSWER 10% of the purchase price (SC 2.2.1). It is paid to the seller's
solicitor as stakeholder (SC 2.2.5) — they cannot release it until completion
or the contract is rescinded.
Q23. What is the difference between a deposit held as 'stakeholder' vs
'agent'?
ANSWER Stakeholder: held on behalf of both parties, cannot be released
to seller without buyer's consent or court order. Agent: held on behalf of the
seller, seller can have immediate access. SCS default is stakeholder.
