New Supply Shared Equity administrative procedures

Guidance for registered social landlords and grant providers on New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE) administrative procedures.


Annex A: Legal Documentation

Dear Sirs

On behalf of and as instructed by our clients ( insert details) (" the Seller") we hereby offer to sell to your client (insert details) (" the Purchaser") Plot # (insert details) and the house built or to be built thereon (all hereinafter referred to as "the House") on the following terms and conditions:

1. Price

1.1 The price ("the price") shall be POUNDS (£) STERLING (being % of the current open market value of the House which is (£ ) ("the Market Value"). If applicable and not already paid, [a reservation fee and/or] deposit amounting to ( insert amount) in total is to be paid by the Purchaser within 7 days of conclusion of the missives of which this offer is part (" the Missives") failing which the Seller shall be entitled to resile from the Missives;

1.2 On or before 2.30pm on the Due Date

1.2.1. the price together with the costs of the Advance Notice for the Disposition (referred to in Condition 4.2) and the Legal Report (referred to in Condition 6) and any other sums due in terms of the Missives under deduction of the [reservation fee and/or] deposit actually paid (all referred to as the " Acquisition Amount") shall be paid and

1.2.2. the terms of Condition 8 will have been implemented

1.3 Until such time as the terms of both Condition 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 have been purified and payment is made of any sums due pursuant to the Missives the Seller will (a) not be required to give vacant possession and (b) be entitled to payment from the Purchaser at the Seller's option, of one (but not both) of:

1.3.1. ordinary damages in respect of all proper and reasonable losses arising out of such failure to purify (which will include Wasted Expenditure); or

1.3.2. interest shall be payable on the Acquisition Amount outstanding at the Prescribed Rate from the Due Date until the date when payment is made.

1.4 If the terms of both Condition 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 have not been purified at any time more than two weeks after the Due Date, the Seller will be entitled to rescind the Missives, and to payment from the Purchaser, at the Seller's option, of one (but not both) of:

1.4.1. ordinary damages in respect of all proper and reasonable losses (which will, without prejudice thereto, include Wasted Expenditure); or

1.4.2. liquidated damages, payable on the End Date, calculated as the amount of interest which would have run on the amount of the Acquisition Amount outstanding at the Prescribed Rate from the Due Date until the End Date (under deduction of any amount by which the price obtained by the Seller on a resale of the House - exceeds the Acquisition Amount after making due and proper allowance for any shared equity arrangements applying to the Missives and/or any such re-sale of the House.

1.5 The deposit will be held to account of any claim by the Seller under this Condition. The Seller will not be entitled to exercise the above remedies if, but only so long as, any material obligations under the Missives which require to be implemented by someone other than the Purchaser cannot be implemented for a reason other than the act, default or delay of the Purchaser or the Purchaser's agents.

1.6 Subject always to the terms of Clause 3.2 (i) delivery of the actual Completion or Occupation Certificate (ii) completion of roads and pavements to local authority standard and (iii) any routine snaggings are not material obligations on the Seller under the Missives.

1.7 In this offer:

1.7.1. " Due Date" means whichever is the later of:

1.7.1.1. the Date of Entry; and

1.7.1.2. the date on which payment of the Price was due having regard to the circumstances of the case including any entitlement to withhold payment owing to non-performance by the Seller

1.7.2. " End Date" means whichever is the earlier of:

1.7.2.1. the date falling 12 months after the Due Date; and

1.7.2.2. where the House is re-sold following rescission, the date of entry under the contract of re-sale.

1.7.3. " Missives" means the missives of which this offer forms part.

1.7.4. " Prescribed Rate" means the rate of 4% above The Royal Bank of Scotland plc base rate from time to time in force .

1.7.5. " Wasted Expenditure" means the aggregate of:

1.7.5.1. any capital loss sustained on the resale of the House being the difference between the price under the Missives and the resale price under any such resale adjusted to make due and proper allowance for any shared equity arrangements applying to the Missives and/or any such re-sale of the House;

1.7.5.2. any estate agency, marketing and other advertising expenses properly incurred in connection with the resale;

1.7.5.3. any legal expenses properly incurred in connection with the resale;

1.7.5.4. any common charges, insurance premiums or other charges in respect of the House; and

any additional financing costs incurred by the Seller as a result of not being able to make a partial redemption of funding taken in respect of the House or larger development of which the House forms part.

2. Extras/Common Charges

2.1 The cost of agreed additions, variations or extras is payable by the Purchaser on demand failing which interest will run on the outstanding sum at the Prescribed Rate.

2.2 If a Proprietors' Association has been formed, or a factor appointed, the Purchaser undertakes to pay to the Seller on the date of settlement the proportion of any annual charges due for the period from the date of settlement and/or a reasonable sum as a float towards future expenditure.

2.3 By your acceptance hereof you shall be deemed to have confirmed on behalf of the Purchaser that the Purchaser has received an estimate for these charges.

3. Date of Entry

3.1 The date of entry ("Date of Entry") when, subject to the terms of the Missives, entry and possession will be given to the Purchaser will be either:

3.1.1. ten working days from the latest of (i) the date of Building Completion; and (ii) the date on which either the cover note has been issued in terms of the [Insert name of third party warranty scheme which the house is registered under] (" the Registration Scheme") confirming that a final inspection has been carried out by them and that a new home warranty for the House will be provided or the Architect's Certificate has been issued

3.1.2. such other date as is mutually agreed between the parties in writing.

3.2 In this Condition, " Building Completion" means the House has been passed by the Local Authority Department of Building Control with confirmation that a Completion or Occupation Certificate will be issued by them and the Seller has certified the same to the Purchaser.

3.3 The Seller anticipates that Building Completion will occur by (" the Anticipated Date of Entry")

3.4 If Completion has not occurred within [X] months of the Anticipated Date of Entry (" the Longstop Date") then the Purchaser is entitled but not bound to terminate the Missives by serving written notice on the Seller's solicitors by recorded delivery in terms of Condition 10 (Notices) setting out the reason for the termination and to the return of the deposit and any reservation fee without deduction.

3.5 " Completion" means the date of entry or, if later, the date when the purchase price is paid and the purchase of the House is completed in terms of the Missives.

[ Note: [X] months should be a maximum of six months for houses or twelve months for flats if Missives concluded before roof is complete and building weatherproof. If contract concluded at advance stage of construction then maximum two months for houses and four months for flats.]

4. Title

4.1 In this offer " Advance Notice" means an advance notice as defined in Section 56 of the 2012 Act and " 2012 Act" means the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012.

4.2 The Seller will apply to the Keeper for an Advance Notice for the Disposition, in the form adjusted with the Purchaser to be either (i) entered on the application record for the House or (ii) recorded in the Register of Sasines not earlier than [five] Working Days prior to the date of entry. The cost of the Advance Notice for the Disposition will be met by the Purchaser at Completion.

4.3 The Seller consents to the Purchaser applying to the Keeper for Advance Notices, for any deeds, which the Purchaser intends to grant in relation to the House. The cost of any Advance Notices which the Purchaser applied for will be met by the Purchaser.

4.4 If the Seller rescinds the Missives in the circumstances set out in clause 3 the Purchaser consents to the discharge of the Advance Notice for the Disposition and the Purchaser confirms that it will immediately discharge at its own cost any Advance Notice submitted by it if requested to do so by the Seller.

4.5 If Completion is likely to occur after the date of entry, the Seller, if requested to do so by the Purchaser, will apply for a further Advance Notice for the Disposition, in the form adjusted with the Purchaser, and the cost of any additional Advance Notices will be met:

4.5.1 by the Seller, if the delay in the settlement is due to any failure or breach by or on behalf of the Seller to implement its obligations under the Missives on time; or

4.5.2 by the Purchaser, if the delay in settlement is due to any failure or breach by or on behalf of the Purchaser to implement its obligations under the Missives on time.

5.

5.1 The Seller's solicitors will not provide any letter of obligation undertaking to clear the records of any deed, decree or diligence.

5.2 Subject to Clause 5.3 the Seller will deliver to the Purchaser, on demand from time to time and at the Seller's expense, such documents and evidence as the Keeper may require to enable the Keeper to update or create (as the case may be) the Title Sheet of the House to disclose the Purchaser as the registered proprietor of the whole of the House. Such documents will include (unless the House comprises part only of a building) a plan or bounding description sufficient to enable the House to be identified on the cadastral map.

5.3 After Completion, the Seller will be obliged to deliver such documents and evidence as are specified in Clause 5.2 only if the Disposition is presented for registration not later than 14 days after Completion.

6. The Seller will exhibit a Legal Report brought down to a date as near as reasonably practicable to Completion which Report will show:

6.1 no entries adverse to the Seller's interest in the House;

6.2 the Advance Notice for the Disposition;

6.3 no other Advance Notices other than those submitted by the Purchaser;

6.4 the cost of the Legal Report will be met by the Purchaser at Completion.

7.

7.1 Provided that the Disposition is presented for registration prior to the earlier of (a) 14 days after Completion and (b) the date of expiry of the last Advance Notice registered in relation to the Disposition in terms of Clause 4, the updated or newly created Title Sheet will contain no exclusion or limitation of warranty in terms of Section 75 of the 2012 Act and will disclose no entry, deed or diligence (including any notice of potential liability for costs registered under the Tenements (Scotland) Act 2004 or the Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003) prejudicial to the interest of the Purchaser other than such as are created by or against the Purchaser or have been disclosed to and accepted in writing by the Purchaser prior to Completion.

7.2 The title to the House will be a Disposition (" the Disposition") and will be subject to the Seller's standard conditions (to which the Purchaser agrees to adhere) and which will include some or all of the following:

(a) The House shall be used solely as a private dwelling House with garden ground and shall not be occupied by more than one family at any time and the garage (if any) shall be used only as a private garage and the garden ground shall be used only as a garden.

(b) No additional buildings, outhouses or fences shall be erected or alterations made without the Seller's consent.

(c) There shall be no change to the colours of the external paintwork without the Seller's consent.

(d) The parking in the open of any caravan, trailer, commercial vehicle, taxi, marine craft or boat is prohibited.

(e) No animals shall be kept other than domestic pets (the numbers of which may be restricted) and the breeding of animals is prohibited.

(f) The Purchaser will be liable for a fair share of the upkeep of all common parts and common ground (as determined by the Seller) and the Purchaser may be granted a common right of ownership in and to the common parts and common ground.

(g) When instigated or approved by the Seller, a Proprietors' Association may be formed, or a factor may be appointed, to manage the common parts, the common ground and all other areas of mutual responsibility and the Purchaser shall be responsible for the charges that may arise, which charges may be subject to review and may in the case of flats include a charge for building insurance.

(h) The garden ground of the House may be burdened with necessary rights of access exercisable by other proprietors and the Seller may designate part of the garden ground as a service strip which shall be kept clear of surface or underground obstructions.

(i) No aerial or satellite dish may be erected on the front elevation and radio aerials may only be erected with the Seller's consent.

(j) Existing trees shall not be removed or cut down except with the Seller's prior consent.

(k) The Purchaser shall keep the buildings insured index-linked for the greater of (i) full reinstatement value and (ii) the full open market value of the House from time to time.

(l) The Seller reserves the right to alter or even depart entirely from the layout plan of the remainder of the estate.

[As an alternative to the foregoing detailed arrangements, and where appropriate, insert reference to a Deed of Conditions/Development Management Scheme which is to apply to the development]

7.3 The minerals are included only in so far as belonging to the Seller.

7.4 No search in the Registry of Friendly Societies, the Register of Charges or Company file of the Seller will be exhibited.

8.

8.1 The House is being sold under and in accordance with Scottish Government New Supply Shared Equity Scheme, the administrative procedures ("Procedures") for which are published on the Scottish Government website under ( insert reference) and the Purchaser shall procure that all requirements of the Procedures - including without prejudice correspondence - as set out in Annexe A of the Procedures is complied with in such manner as Scottish Ministers or their agents may reasonably require.

8.2 Section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974

It is a condition of the Purchaser receiving financial support from Scottish Ministers under the LIFT Scheme for the purchase of the House that the Purchaser must grant in favour of Scottish Ministers a Standard Security over the House. Because the financial support given by Scottish Ministers will subsist for an indeterminate period of time, the Standard Security to be granted by the Purchaser in favour of the Scottish Ministers is potentially capable of being redeemed by the Purchaser pursuant to section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974 (the "20-year security rule").

The Scottish Government plans to make an amendment to the 20 year security rule pursuant to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014. The amendment will aim to remove the right to redeem securities after 20 years for those participating in designated schemes including the New Supply Shared Equity scheme. On conclusion of the Missives, the Purchaser will be held to have been made aware of this and to have acknowledged that the Purchaser is not entering into the present transaction on the assumption that, after 20 years, the Purchaser will be able to rely on section 11 of the 1974 Act as that section currently applies.

The Purchaser's solicitor will deliver to the Purchaser prior to the Date of Entry a copy of the pro forma notice which is annexed and signed as relative to this offer.

9 Completion of the House

9.1 The House will be completed in accordance with the relevant Planning Permissions and Building Warrants (copies of which will if requested by the Purchaser be exhibited at the Seller's offices). A copy of the Occupation Certificate and/or Completion Certificate will be delivered to the Purchaser or the Purchaser's solicitors within a reasonable period of being received from the Local Authority.

9.2 The cost of construction of roads and pavements is included in the price and once completed the Purchaser shall be responsible for the appropriate share of their maintenance until, if appropriate, they are taken over by the Local Authority which the Purchaser understands is not guaranteed by the Seller. A copy of the road bond in respect of completion of the roads will be exhibited where relevant. The Purchaser undertakes to pay the cost of any repairs required to roads or pavements where, either prior to their completion or prior to their adoption as public, damage has been caused thereto by the Purchaser or those for whom the Purchaser is responsible.

9.3.1 Subject to condition 9.3.2 if it becomes necessary the Seller may vary the materials used in construction of the House without affecting the Price but any alternative materials used shall be of a similar standard to those originally proposed

9.3.2 If after the Missives are concluded, the Seller proposes to make a change to the design, construction or materials to be used in the House that would significantly alter the House's size, appearance or value, the Seller must first obtain the Purchaser's written consent to such change by serving written notice of such change on the Purchaser in terms of Condition 13. If the Purchaser does not respond to such notice within 14 days of the date when it is deemed to have been served in terms of Condition 13 then the Purchaser's consent to the change will be deemed to have been given. If acting reasonably the Purchaser does not consider the proposed change to be acceptable the Purchaser will be entitled to terminate the Missives by serving written notice on the Seller's solicitors by recorded delivery in terms of Condition 13 setting out the reason for the termination and to the return of the deposit and reservation fee without deduction

9.4 Where relevant, the Purchaser will select particular fittings or materials within fourteen days of being requested to do so by the Seller (time being of the essence) failing which the Seller will be entitled to install such fittings or use such materials as the Seller considers appropriate (acting reasonably).

9.5 The Seller will provide appropriate third party warranty cover for the House pursuant to the Registration Scheme. By your acceptance hereof you shall be deemed to have confirmed that you have explained to the Purchaser the key aspects of the Registration Scheme, how it is intended to operate, the protection it offers and how claims are to be made.

10. Remedial Work

Without prejudice to the Seller's rights under Clause 1.7, provided that the House has been passed by the Local Authority Building Control Department as fit for occupation, settlement of the transaction shall not be delayed by the Purchaser on account of any outstanding routine snaggings or remedial work being required to the House which snaggings or remedial work will be carried out within a reasonable period following the date of settlement in terms of the NHBC or other third party warranty scheme provided in respect of the House and the Purchaser will provide reasonable access to the Seller during usual working hours for the carrying out of such work.

11. Passing of Risk

The risk of damage to or destruction of the House shall not pass to the Purchaser until the price has been paid.

12. Enforceability

If any term of the Missives is for whatever reason held as unenforceable in whole or in part the Missives shall continue in full force and effect to the extent of the other terms of the Missives and the remainder of any partially unenforceable term of the Missives.

13. Notices

All notices and other communications under the Missives shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given if delivered by hand or served either by facsimile transmission or by letter sent pre-paid recorded delivery mail addressed, in the case of the Seller, to the Seller's Solicitors and, in the case of the Purchaser, to the Purchaser's Solicitors or to such other person and at such other address as either party may specify from time to time by written notice to the other party. Any communication so given by letter sent by recorded delivery mail shall be deemed to be given on the second Working Day after the day of posting and any communication so delivered or given by facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be given at the actual time of transmission, except where such delivery or transmission is made on a day which is not a Working Day or is made after 1700 hours on a Working Day, in which event the communication shall be deemed to have been given at 0900 hours on the next Working Day following such delivery or transmission. For the purposes of this Condition 13, "Working Day" means a day, other than Saturday or Sunday, or 2 January on which banks are open for the transaction of normal banking business in [ [ ] and] London.

14. Entire Agreement

The Missives [and any Reservation Agreement already signed by the Seller and the Purchaser] set out the entire agreement and understanding between the Seller and the Purchaser in relation to the House and shall supersede all previous proposals, agreements and other communications whether written, oral or otherwise in relation thereto save for any set out in the Schedule. By your acceptance hereof the Purchaser confirms that in entering into the Missives the Purchaser is not relying on any verbal statements made by the Seller or any of its agents, employees or representatives.

15. Joint and Several Obligation

The obligations of the Purchaser (where more than one) are undertaken jointly and severally.

16. Clause Headings

The Clause headings in this offer are illustrative only and do not bind the Seller in any way.

17. Time Limits

This Offer unless previously withdrawn shall be open for acceptance for fourteen days from the date hereof whereafter, failing acceptance, it shall lapse.

Yours faithfully

This is the pro forma notice referred to in the foregoing Offer

NOTICE RELATING TO SECTION 11 OF THE LAND TENURE REFORM (SCOTLAND) ACT 1974

To be addressed to the Purchaser

Dear [Insert name(s) of Purchaser]

Scottish Government LIFT Scheme
Purchase of [Insert address of the House]
Section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974

It is a condition of the Purchaser receiving financial support from Scottish Ministers under the LIFT Scheme for the purchase of the House that the Purchaser must grant in favour of Scottish Ministers a Standard Security over the House. Because the financial support given by Scottish Ministers will subsist for an indeterminate period of time, the Standard Security to be granted by the Purchaser in favour of the Scottish Ministers is potentially capable of being redeemed by the Purchaser pursuant to section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974 (often referred to as the "20-year security rule").

The Scottish Government plans to make an amendment to the 20 year security rule pursuant to powers contained in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014. The amendment will aim to remove the right to redeem securities after 20 years for those participating in designated schemes including the LIFT shared equity scheme. Accordingly, the purpose of this letter is to make the Purchaser aware of this and to make clear that the Purchaser should not enter into the shared equity documentation on the assumption that, after 20 years, the Purchaser will be able to rely on section 11 of the 1974 Act as that section currently applies.

Yours faithfully

[To be signed by Purchaser's solicitors]

Draft disposition

WE, registered under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (Registered Number #R(S)), ), being a recognised Scottish Charity (Charity Number SC#), and having their Registered Office at #, [or insert as appropriate for Company] proprietors of the subjects and others hereinafter disponed IN CONSIDERATION of the sum of #POUNDS (£#) STERLING (on which sum no Value Added Tax is payable) paid to us by # (the "Purchaser") together with the entire obligations, liabilities and others due to the Scottish Ministers under Minute of Agreement between the Purchaser and the Scottish Ministers relative to the subjects hereinafter disponed executed by the Purchaser on or about the date hereof have sold and Do Hereby DISPONE to and in favour of # the Purchaser and to their successors and assignees whomsoever heritably and irredeemably ALL and WHOLE [insert description]; Together with (First) free ish and access from and to the subjects hereby disponed; (Second) the part, privileges and pertinents thereof; (Third) the whole other rights, common, mutual or otherwise pertaining thereto; (Fourth) our whole right, title and interest, present and future in and to the subjects hereby disponed; and [(Fifth) the servitude rights and burdens specified in the Schedule annexed and executed as relative hereto ("the Schedule"); [ Alternatively provide Deed of Conditions / Development Management Scheme as appropriate to the Development ] WITH ENTRY and VACANT POSSESSION as at the # notwithstanding the date or dates hereof; And we grant warrandice; IN WITNESS WHEREOF

This is the Schedule of real burdens referred to in the foregoing Disposition by # in favour of #

Part I: Interpretation

In this Schedule:

"the Benefited Property" means ALL and WHOLE subjects described in #;

"the Burdened Property" means ALL and WHOLE the subjects comprising ALL and WHOLE that plot or area of ground situated #;

"the Purchaser" means # and its successors as proprietors of the Burdened Property as hereinafter defined; and

"the Seller" means # Limited, registered under the the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 /Companies Acts (Registered Number #), being a recognised Scottish Charity (Charity Number SC#) and having their Registered Office at #, and its successors as owners of the Benefited Property hereinafter defined.

Part II: Servitudes

Part III: Burdens

The following burdens are imposed on the Benefited Property in favour of the Burdened Property:

#

DISPOSITION

by

#

in favour of

#

Subjects: Subjects at #

AGREEMENT

between

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS

and

# [Shared Equity owner]

NO GOLDEN SHARE

CLAUSES

1. Definitions
2. Obligation to Pay
3. Tranching Up
4. Expenses
5. Certificates and Determinations
6. Interest and Losses
7. Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974
8. Transfer
9. Notices
10. Separate Provisions
11. Governing Law
12. Consent to Registration

MINUTE OF AGREEMENT

between

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS ("Scottish Ministers") ON THE ONE PART

and

# residing at # (hereinafter referred to as the "Shared Equity Owner") ON THE OTHER PART

WHEREAS:

(One) [ Insert name of RSL or Local Authority or subsidiary selling property] ("the Administering Agent") has sold to the Shared Equity Owner the dwellinghouse known as # at the price of # (£#) (being [#] per cent of the current value of the Property as agreed between the Parties);

(Two) Funding in respect of the dwellinghouse has partly been provided by Scottish Ministers on condition that the Shared Equity Owner enters into this Agreement with Scottish Ministers and grants a standard security over the Property for the Shared Equity Owner's obligations hereunder;

NOW THEREFORE the Parties have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions

1.1 In this Minute of Agreement where the context so admits:

1.1.1 the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

"Actual Open Market Value"

means the highest sum offered by a third party in an Open Market Sale;

"Agreement"

means this agreement;

"Date of Entry"

means [here insert the date of entry under the contract for sale];

"Deemed Open Market Value"

means the open market value of the Property as determined by the Valuer making the Open Market Value Assumptions and having regard to such other matters as he may in his professional judgement deem appropriate;

"Encumbrance"

means a standard security; any inhibition, adjudication or other matter which may competently be registered in the personal registers; or any other encumbrance which may affect the Property including without prejudice any order relating to property transfer or confiscation;

"Home Report"

means the documents referred to in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Prescribed Documents) Regulations 2008 being survey report, information on energy efficiency and property questionnaire in the form set out in the schedules to those regulations

"New Proportion"

has the meaning ascribed to it in clause 3;

"New Security"

means any standard security over the Property or any part thereof other than (1) the Standard Security and

(2) any standard security specifically referred to in the Ranking Agreement;

"Open Market Conditions"

means the following conditions (i) the Shared Equity Owner has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the price at which the Property is to be sold is the best that can be reasonably obtained which will include, without prejudice, Scottish Ministers being satisfied with the nature and level of advertising, the Home Report , the marketing of the Property and the terms of sale; and (ii) the sum offered by the third party has not been adversely affected by any of the Open Market Value Assumptions not being the case in fact;

"Open Market Sale"

means a sale of the whole of the Property on the open market to a third party in circumstances where Scottish Ministers, acting reasonably, are and remain satisfied that the Open Market Conditions have been met;

"Open Market Value Assumptions"

means the following assumptions:

1. that the Property is being sold by a willing seller to a willing purchaser in the open market on an arm's length basis;

2. that vacant possession of the Property is available;

3. that the Shared Equity Owner has duly complied with, performed and discharged all of the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of this Agreement;

4. that the Shared Equity Owner has complied with the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of the Standard Security;

5. that there is no Encumbrance affecting the Property;

6. that any increase in value arising from any additions or improvements carried out to the Property is to be reflected in the open market value; and

7. that any diminution in value arising from adaptations which have been carried out to meet the needs of a disabled person is to be disregarded from the open market value;

"Parties"

means the parties to this Agreement;

"Payment Event"

means any one or more of the following events:

(a) an Open Market Sale other than to a Spouse;

(b) any transfer or transmission of the Property or part of the Property whether by sale or gift or succession or in any other way to a third party other than a Spouse which is not an Open Market Sale;

(c) the failure on the part of a Spouse to assume the obligations of the Shared Equity Owner in terms satisfactory to Scottish Ministers within six months of the transfer or transmission of the Property or part of the Property to the Spouse whether by sale or gift or succession or in any other way;

(d) (If the Shared Equity Owner is one individual and dies without a surviving Spouse or the Property does not pass to any such surviving Spouse as aftermentioned) the death of the Shared Equity Owner;

(e) (If the Shared Equity Owner comprises more than one person) the death of the survivor of such persons;

(f) The Shared Equity Owner or any Spouse of the Shared Equity Owner ceasing to use the Property as his only place of residence or renting the Property or allowing it to be occupied by a third party without the prior written consent of Scottish Ministers;

(g) The Shared Equity Owner or any Spouse of the Shared Equity Owner granting a New Security without first obtaining the written consent of Scottish Ministers;

(h) Any security holders calling up their security or the security holders or any other party exercising any other process of law which would affect the Property;

(i) Any default under the Standard Security; or

(j) It is established to the reasonable satisfaction of Scottish Ministers that the Shared Equity Owner has provided or permitted the provision of false or misleading information to Scottish Ministers or the Administering Agent in connection with the granting or transmission of this Agreement;

"Property"

means the whole of the property at [ here insert the postal address];

"Ranking Agreement"

means the agreement regulating the ranking of standard securities between Scottish Ministers, the Shared Equity Owner and [insert details of Primary Lender];

"Scottish Ministers' Proportion"

either [# %] or, if the terms of clause 3 have been implemented in full (including without prejudice all sums due to Scottish Ministers thereunder having been paid), the New Proportion;

"Spouse"

means a person who lives with the Shared Equity Owner and is the husband or the wife, or lives with the Shared Equity Owner as the husband or wife; or lives with the Shared Equity Owner in a relationship which has the characteristics of the relationship between husband and wife except that the persons are of the same sex; or is the civil partner of the Shared Equity Owner in terms of the Civil Partnership Act 2004;

"Standard Security"

means the standard security by the Shared Equity Owner in favour of Scottish Ministers for the Shared Equity Owner's obligations in terms of this Agreement; and

"Valuer"

means the District Valuer of HM Revenue and Customs for the district in which the Property is situated or if otherwise agreed between the Parties such other professionally qualified valuer as Scottish Ministers and the Shared Equity Owner may agree;

and derivative expressions of any defined term shall be construed accordingly.

1.2 References to:

1.2.1 statutes, statutory provisions and other legislation shall include all amendments, substitutions, modifications and re-enactments for the time being in force;

1.2.2 "including" shall not be construed as limiting the generality of the words preceding it;

1.2.3 words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words denoting any gender shall include all genders;

1.2.4 this Agreement and any provisions of it or to any other document referred to in this Agreement shall be construed as references to it in force for the time being as amended, varied, supplemented, restated, substituted or novated from time to time;

1.2.5 any person are to be construed to include references to a corporation, firm, owner, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated body of persons, individual or any state or agency of a state, whether or not a separate legal entity;

1.2.6 any person are to be construed to include that person's assignees or transferees or successors in title, whether direct or indirect;

1.2.7 a clause means a clause of this Agreement;

1.2.8 clause headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement;

1.2.9 Scottish Ministers includes the Administering Agent or other persons authorised to act on behalf of Scottish Ministers; and

1.2.10 the consent of Scottish Ministers shall be a reference to their prior written consent.

1.3 For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes any previous agreement, whether written or oral, expressed or implied, between the Parties to it (or any of them) in relation to the subject matter of this Agreement.

1.4 Obligations undertaken by more than one person shall be undertaken by each jointly and severally.

1.5 Unless otherwise stated any consent, approval or other determination of Scottish Ministers whether in this Agreement, the Standard Security or the Ranking Agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed nor given subject to unreasonable conditions.

2. Obligation to Pay

Subject always to the terms of clause 2.7:

2.1 If the Shared Equity Owner proposes to transfer their interest in the Property the Shared Equity Owner shall (1) notify Scottish Ministers as soon as reasonably possible; (2) provide them with such information about the proposed sale as Scottish Ministers may reasonably require; and (3) use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Open Market Conditions apply including without prejudice ensuring that all duties of care under the relevant Home Report or valuation are extended to Scottish Ministers on terms which Scottish Ministers consider to be satisfactory.

2.2 If the proposed transfer is an Open Market Sale the Shared Equity Owner shall pay to Scottish Ministers, Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Actual Open Market Value on or before the date of settlement of the Open Market Sale.

2.3 If the proposed transfer is not an Open Market Sale it shall only take place with the consent of Scottish Ministers which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed but if granted shall be given subject to such conditions as Scottish Ministers may reasonably require in order to ensure that they receive payment of Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Deemed Open Market Value.

2.4.1 Subject to the terms of clause 2.4.2, upon the occurrence of a Payment Event other than in the circumstances set out in clauses 2.1 - 2.3 inclusive Scottish Ministers shall be entitled to instruct the Valuer in terms of this Agreement to determine the Deemed Open Market Value as at a date ("Valuation Date") which is either on, or within a reasonable period of, the date when that Payment Event occurred.

2.4.2 If the Payment Event is a default which is capable of remedy Scottish Ministers shall not take any action under clause 2.4.1 or clause 6.1 unless (a) they have previously delivered to the Shared Equity Owner a notice which specifies in reasonable detail the nature of the default and a period ("Remediation Period") - which shall be not less than 28 days - in which to remedy the same and (b) the Remediation Period has elapsed and the default has not been remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Scottish Ministers.

2.5 Once the Deemed Open Market Value has been determined in accordance with this Agreement Scottish Ministers shall be entitled at any time thereafter to serve notice ("Payment Notice") upon the Shared Equity Owner requiring him to make payment of Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Deemed Open Market Value.

2.6 In the event that a Payment Notice is served the Shared Equity Owner shall within seven days of receipt of the Payment Notice make payment to Scottish Ministers of Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Deemed Open Market Value.

2.7 For the avoidance of doubt the terms of clause 2 shall not apply in relation to any transfer or transmission to a Spouse who assumes the obligations of the Shared Equity Owner in terms satisfactory to Scottish Ministers within six months of such transfer or transmission all as set out in sub paragraph (c) of the definition of 'Payment Event'.

3. Tranching Up

3.1 At any time after the Date of Entry the Shared Equity Owner will be entitled to reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion in terms of this clause 3 provided always that:

3.1.1 The Shared Equity Owner shall only be entitled to exercise his right to reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion in terms of this clause 3.1 if he shall have complied with, performed and discharged all of the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of this Agreement and the Standard Security;

3.1.2 Scottish Ministers' Proportion expressed as a percentage of the Property after the Shared Equity Owner's exercise of this right shall be a minimum of 5 % lower than it was prior to the Shared Equity Owner's exercise of that right (for example if Scottish Ministers Proportion before exercise is 30% Scottish Ministers' Proportion after exercise ; must be 25 % or less) and

3.1.3 For the avoidance of doubt Scottish Ministers Proportion cannot be reduced so as to be above zero but less than 5%. For example if Scottish Ministers' Proportion is 10% it may only be reduced to 5% or zero and if it is 9% it can only be reduced to zero.

3.2 The Shared Equity Owner shall serve on Scottish Ministers a notice ("Reduction Notice") in writing specifying the amount expressed as a percentage ("New Proportion") to which Scottish Ministers' Proportion is to be reduced and requiring Scottish Ministers to instruct the Valuer to determine the Deemed Open Market Value as at the date of service of the Reduction Notice and Scottish Ministers shall notify the Shared Equity Owner of the amount thereof in writing within seven days of the said determination by the Valuer.

3.3 Provided payment by the Shared Equity Owner of the amount necessary to reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion in terms of clause 3.1 is effected within three months of such notification by Scottish Ministers, the Shared Equity Owner may reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion to the New Proportion. The amount due to Scottish Ministers by the Shared Equity Owner in terms of this clause 3.3 shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

A x B

where:

A = the difference between Scottish Ministers' Proportion at the date of the Reduction Notice and the New Proportion; and

B = the Deemed Open Market Value.

As an example if the Deemed Open Market Value of the Property at the date of the Reduction Notice was £120,000; Scottish Ministers' Proportion at the Date of the Reduction Notice was 30% and the New Proportion was 20%; the amount due to Scottish Ministers would be £12,000 being 10% ( i.e. 30% - 20%) x £120,000.

3.4 The reasonable costs of any such determination by the Valuer shall be paid on demand by the Shared Equity Owner to Scottish Ministers.

3.5 The Valuer shall be deemed to be acting as an expert and not as an arbiter and his decision as to the Deemed Open Market Value shall be final and binding on the Parties.

3.6 Upon payment by the Shared Equity Owner the Shared Equity Owner and Scottish Ministers shall forthwith execute a memorandum detailing the New Proportion.

4. Expenses

4.1 The Shared Equity Owner shall be liable for (a) all expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the Standard Security and the Ranking Agreement in the Land Register,(b) the costs of registering this Agreement in the Books of Council and Session and of obtaining two extracts and (c) any other reasonable expenses properly incurred by Scottish Ministers in connection with the preparation and completion of this Agreement, the Standard Security and the Ranking Agreement other than the professional charges of their legal advisers.

4.2 The Shared Equity Owner shall pay on demand to Scottish Ministers on a full indemnity basis all reasonable costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal, valuation, registration and out‑of‑pocket expenses) properly incurred by Scottish Ministers in connection with any actual, proposed or attempted amendment, exercise, enforcement, discharge, extension, variation, waiver or preservation of any rights under this Agreement and/ or the Standard Security and/ or the Ranking Agreement.

5. Certificates and Determinations

5.1 A certificate signed by any duly authorised officer or employee of Scottish Ministers shall be prima facie evidence of any sums due to Scottish Ministers under this Agreement.

6. Interest and Losses

6.1 If the Shared Equity Owner fails to pay any amount payable by him under this Agreement, Scottish Ministers may charge the Shared Equity Owner interest on the overdue amount. The Shared Equity Owner shall pay the interest immediately on demand, from the due date up to the date of actual payment, after as well as before judgment, at the rate of 2% per annum above the base lending rate (or the equivalent) of the Royal Bank of Scotland plc prevailing at the time of the written demand from the date of the written demand until payment in full of both the sum and the interest thereon, or in the event of that ceasing to exist, such other rate equivalent to it as Scottish Ministers may specify. Such interest shall accrue on a daily basis and be compounded quarterly.

6.2 The Shared Equity Owner shall indemnify and keep indemnified Scottish Ministers against all losses, liabilities, costs and expenses - including without prejudice any depletion of value of the Property - reasonably incurred by Scottish Ministers as a result of any breach by the Shared Equity Owner of any terms of this Agreement, the Standard Security and/ or the Ranking Agreement.

7. Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974

7.1 Subject always to the provisions of section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974 the Shared Equity Owner shall not be entitled to redeem the Standard Security.

8. Transfer

8.1 The Shared Equity Owner shall not at any time assign, transfer or novate any of its rights and/ or obligations under this Agreement save to a Spouse who has entered into an agreement to assume the obligations of the Shared Equity Owner in terms satisfactory to Scottish Ministers.

8.2 Scottish Ministers may at any time assign, transfer or novate any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement to any person.

8.3 Scottish Ministers may disclose to any person with whom it is proposing to enter, or has entered into, any kind of transfer, participation or other agreement in relation to this Agreement:

  • a copy of this Agreement; and
  • any information which Scottish Ministers have acquired in connection with this Agreement.

9. Notices

9.1 Any notice to Scottish Ministers shall be addressed to:

The Scottish Ministers c/o [insert details of Registered Social Landlord or Local Authority or subsidiary including contact person] or to the Scottish Ministers at such other address as Scottish Ministers may notify to the Shared Equity Owner in accordance with this Agreement.

9.2 Any notice to the Shared Equity Owner shall be addressed to the Shared Equity Owner at the Property.

10. Separate Provisions

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable that shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision.

11. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to Scots law and each of the parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

12. Consent to Registration

The Parties consent to the registration hereof and of any such Certificate for preservation and execution. IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement consisting of this and the [ ] preceding pages is executed as follows:

signature box

AGREEMENT

between

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS

and

# [Shared Equity owner]

GOLDEN SHARE

CLAUSES

1. Definitions
2. Obligation to Pay
3. Tranching Up
4. Expenses
5. Scottish Minister's Right of Pre-emption
6. Certificates and Determinations
7. Interest and Losses
8. Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974
9. Transfer
10. Notices
11. Separate Provisions
12. Governing Law
13. Consent to Registration

MINUTE OF AGREEMENT

between

THE SCOTTISH MINISTERS ("Scottish Ministers") ON THE ONE PART

and

# residing at # (hereinafter referred to as the "Shared Equity Owner") ON THE OTHER PART

WHEREAS:

(One) [ Insert name of RSL or Local Authority or subsidiary selling property] ("the Administering Agent") has sold to the Shared Equity Owner the dwellinghouse known as # at the price of # (£#) (being [#] per cent of the current value of the Property as agreed between the Parties);

(Two) Funding in respect of the dwellinghouse has partly been provided by Scottish Ministers on condition that the Shared Equity Owner enters into this Agreement with Scottish Ministers and grants a standard security over the Property for the Shared Equity Owner's obligations hereunder;

NOW THEREFORE the Parties have agreed and do hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions

1.1 In this Minute of Agreement where the context so admits:

1.1.1 the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

"Actual Open Market Value"

means the highest sum offered by a third party in an Open Market Sale;

"Agreement"

means this agreement;

"Date of Entry"

means [here insert the date of entry under the contract for sale];

"Deemed Open Market Value"

means the open market value of the Property as determined by the Valuer making the Open Market Value Assumptions and having regard to such other matters as he may in his professional judgement deem appropriate;

"Encumbrance"

means a standard security; any inhibition, adjudication or other matter which may competently be registered in the personal registers; or any other encumbrance which may affect the Property including without prejudice any order relating to property transfer or confiscation;

"Home Report"

means the documents referred to in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Prescribed Documents) Regulations 2008 being survey report, information on energy efficiency and property questionnaire in the form set out in the schedules to those regulations

"New Proportion"

has the meaning ascribed to it in clause 3;

"New Security"

means any standard security over the Property or any part thereof other than (1) the Standard Security and (2) any standard security specifically referred to in the Ranking Agreement;

"Open Market Conditions"

means the following conditions (i) the Shared Equity Owner has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the price at which the Property is to be sold is the best that can be reasonably obtained which will include, without prejudice, Scottish Ministers being satisfied with the nature and level of advertising, the Home Report , the marketing of the Property and the terms of sale; and (ii) the sum offered by the third party has not been adversely affected by any of the Open Market Value Assumptions not being the case in fact;

"Open Market Sale"

means a sale of the whole of the Property on the open market to a third party in circumstances where Scottish Ministers, acting reasonably, are and remain satisfied that the Open Market Conditions have been met;

"Open Market Value Assumptions"

means the following assumptions:

that the Property is being sold by a willing seller to a willing purchaser in the open market on an arm's length basis;

that vacant possession of the Property is available;

that the Shared Equity Owner has duly complied with, performed and discharged all of the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of this Agreement;

that the Shared Equity Owner has complied with the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of the Standard Security;

that there is no Encumbrance affecting the Property;

that any increase in value arising from any additions or improvements carried out to the Property is to be reflected in the open market value

that any diminution in value arising from adaptations which have been carried out to meet the needs of a disabled person is to be disregarded from the open market value;

"Parties"

means the parties to this Agreement;

"Payment Event"

means any one or more of the following events:

(a) an Open Market Sale other than to a Spouse;

(b) any transfer or transmission of the Property or part of the Property whether by sale or gift or succession or in any other way to a third party other than a Spouse which is not an Open Market Sale;

(c) the failure on the part of a Spouse to assume the obligations of the Shared Equity Owner in terms satisfactory to Scottish Ministers within six months of the transfer or transmission of the Property or part of the Property to the Spouse whether by sale or gift or succession or in any other way;

(d) (If the Shared Equity Owner is one individual and dies without a surviving Spouse or the Property does not pass to any such surviving Spouse as aftermentioned) the death of the Shared Equity Owner;

(e) (If the Shared Equity Owner comprises more than one person) the death of the survivor of such persons;

(f) The Shared Equity Owner or any Spouse of the Shared Equity Owner ceasing to use the Property as his only place of residence or renting the Property or allowing it to be occupied by a third party without the prior written consent of Scottish Ministers;

(g) The Shared Equity Owner or any Spouse of the Shared Equity Owner granting a New Security without first obtaining the written consent of Scottish Ministers;

(h) Any security holders calling up their security or the security holders or any other party exercising any other process of law which would affect the Property;

(i) Any default under the Standard Security; or

(j) It is established to the reasonable satisfaction of Scottish Ministers that the Shared Equity Owner has provided or permitted the provision of false or misleading information to Scottish Ministers or the Administering Agent in connection with the granting or transmission of this Agreement;

"Property"

means the whole of the property at [ here insert the postal address];

"Ranking Agreement"

means the agreement regulating the ranking of standard securities between Scottish Ministers, the Shared Equity Owner and [insert details of Primary Lender];

"Scottish Ministers' Proportion"

either [# %] or, if the terms of clause 3 have been implemented in full (including without prejudice all sums due to Scottish Ministers thereunder having been paid), the New Proportion;

"Spouse"

means a person who lives with the Shared Equity Owner and is the husband or the wife, or lives with the Shared Equity Owner as the husband or wife; or lives with the Shared Equity Owner in a relationship which has the characteristics of the relationship between husband and wife except that the persons are of the same sex; or is the civil partner of the Shared Equity Owner in terms of the Civil Partnership Act 2004;

"Standard Security"

means the standard security by the Shared Equity Owner in favour of Scottish Ministers for the Shared Equity Owner's obligations in terms of this Agreement; and

"Valuer"

means the District Valuer of HM Revenue and Customs for the district in which the Property is situated or if otherwise agreed between the Parties such other professionally qualified valuer as Scottish Ministers and the Shared Equity Owner may agree;

and derivative expressions of any defined term shall be construed accordingly.

1.2 References to:

1.2.1 statutes, statutory provisions and other legislation shall include all amendments, substitutions, modifications and re-enactments for the time being in force;

1.2.2 "including" shall not be construed as limiting the generality of the words preceding it;

1.2.3 words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words denoting any gender shall include all genders;

1.2.4 this Agreement and any provisions of it or to any other document referred to in this Agreement shall be construed as references to it in force for the time being as amended, varied, supplemented, restated, substituted or novated from time to time;

1.2.5 any person are to be construed to include references to a corporation, firm, owner, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated body of persons, individual or any state or agency of a state, whether or not a separate legal entity;

1.2.6 any person are to be construed to include that person's assignees or transferees or successors in title, whether direct or indirect;

1.2.7 a clause means a clause of this Agreement;

1.2.8 clause headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement;

1.2.9 Scottish Ministers includes the Administering Agent or other persons authorised to act on behalf of Scottish Ministers; and

1.2.10 the consent of Scottish Ministers shall be a reference to their prior written consent.

1.3 For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes any previous agreement, whether written or oral, expressed or implied, between the Parties to it (or any of them) in relation to the subject matter of this Agreement.

1.4 Obligations undertaken by more than one person shall be undertaken by each jointly and severally.

1.5 Unless otherwise stated any consent, approval or other determination of Scottish Ministers whether in this Agreement, the Standard Security or the Ranking Agreement shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed nor given subject to unreasonable conditions.

2. Obligation to Pay

Subject always to the terms of clause 2.7 and clause 5 (Scottish Ministers' Right of Pre-emption):

2.1 If the Shared Equity Owner proposes to transfer their interest in the Property the Shared Equity Owner shall (1) notify Scottish Ministers as soon as reasonably possible; (2) provide them with such information about the proposed sale as Scottish Ministers may reasonably require; and (3) use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that the Open Market Conditions apply including without prejudice ensuring that all duties of care under the relevant Home Report are extended to Scottish Ministers on terms which Scottish Ministers consider to be satisfactory.

2.2 If the proposed transfer is an Open Market Sale the Shared Equity Owner shall pay to Scottish Ministers, Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Actual Open Market Value on or before the date of settlement of the Open Market Sale.

2.3 If the proposed transfer is not an Open Market Sale it shall only take place with the consent of Scottish Ministers which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed but if granted shall be given subject to such conditions as Scottish Ministers may reasonably require in order to ensure that they receive payment of Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Deemed Open Market Value.

2.4.1 Subject to the terms of clause 2.4.2, upon the occurrence of a Payment Event other than in the circumstances set out in clauses 2.1 - 2.3 inclusive Scottish Ministers shall be entitled to instruct the Valuer in terms of this Agreement to determine the Deemed Open Market Value as at a date ("Valuation Date") which is either on, or within a reasonable period of, the date when that Payment Event occurred.

2.4.2 If the Payment Event is a default which is capable of remedy Scottish Ministers shall not take any action under clause 2.4.1 or clause 6.1 unless (a) they have previously delivered to the Shared Equity Owner a notice which specifies in reasonable detail the nature of the default and a period ("Remediation Period") - which shall be not less than 28 days - in which to remedy the same and (b) the Remediation Period has elapsed and the default has not been remedied to the reasonable satisfaction of Scottish Ministers.

2.5 Once the Deemed Open Market Value has been determined in accordance with this Agreement Scottish Ministers shall be entitled at any time thereafter to serve notice ("Payment Notice") upon the Shared Equity Owner requiring him to make payment of Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Deemed Open Market Value.

2.6 In the event that a Payment Notice is served the Shared Equity Owner shall within seven days of receipt of the Payment Notice make payment to Scottish Ministers of Scottish Ministers' Proportion of the Deemed Open Market Value.

2.7 For the avoidance of doubt:

2.7.1 the terms of clause 5 (Scottish Ministers' Right of Pre-emption) shall take precedence over this clause 2 (Obligation to Pay) in the event that the Scottish Ministers' right of pre-emption is exercised; and

2.7.2 the terms of clause 2 shall not apply in relation to any transfer or transmission to a Spouse who assumes the obligations of the Shared Equity Owner in terms satisfactory to Scottish Ministers within six months of such transfer or transmission all as set out in sub paragraph (c) of the definition of 'Payment Event'.

3. Tranching Up

3.1 At any time after the Date of Entry the Shared Equity Owner will be entitled to reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion as set out in this clause 3.1 provided always that:

3.1.1 the Shared Equity Owner shall only be entitled to exercise his right to reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion in terms of this clause 3.1 if he shall have complied with, performed and discharged all of the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of this Agreement;

3.1.2 Subject to the terms of this Clause Scottish Ministers' Proportion expressed as a percentage of the Property after the Shared Equity Owner's exercise of this right shall be a minimum of 5% lower than it was prior to the Shared Equity Owner's exercise of that right ( for example if Scottish Ministers Proportion before exercise is 30% Scottish Ministers' Proportion after exercise must be 25% or less);

3.1.3 For the avoidance of doubt Scottish Ministers Proportion cannot be reduced so as to be less than 20%. For example if Scottish Ministers' Proportion is 30% it may only be reduced to 25% or 20% and if it is 29% it can only be reduced to 20%;

3.2 The Shared Equity Owner shall serve on Scottish Ministers a notice ("Reduction Notice") in writing specifying the amount expressed as a percentage ("New Proportion") to which Scottish Ministers' Proportion is to be reduced and requiring Scottish Ministers to instruct the Valuer to determine the Deemed Open Market Value as at the date of service of the Reduction Notice and Scottish Ministers shall notify the Shared Equity Owner of the amount thereof in writing within seven days of the said determination by the Valuer.

3.3 Provided payment by the Shared Equity Owner of the amount necessary to reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion in terms of clause 3.1 is effected within three months of such notification by Scottish Ministers, the Shared Equity Owner may reduce Scottish Ministers' Proportion to the New Proportion. The amount due to Scottish Ministers by the Shared Equity Owner in terms of this clause 3.3 shall be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

A x B

where:

A = the difference between Scottish Ministers' Proportion at the date of the Reduction Notice and the New Proportion; and

B = the Deemed Open Market Value.

As an example if the Deemed Open Market Value of the Property at the date of the Reduction Notice was £120,000; Scottish Ministers' Proportion at the Date of the Reduction Notice was 30% and the New Proportion was 20%; the amount due to Scottish Ministers would be £12,000 being 10% (ie 30% - 20%) x £120,000.

3.4 The reasonable costs of any such determination by the Valuer shall be paid on demand by the Shared Equity Owner to Scottish Ministers.

3.5 The Valuer shall be deemed to be acting as an expert and not as an arbiter and his decision as to the Deemed Open Market Value shall be final and binding on the Parties.

3.6 Upon payment by the Shared Equity Owner the Shared Equity Owner and Scottish Ministers shall forthwith execute a memorandum detailing the New Proportion.

4. Expenses

4.1 The Shared Equity Owner shall be liable for (a) all expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the Standard Security and the Ranking Agreement in the Land Register,(b) the costs of registering this Agreement in the Books of Council and Session and of obtaining two extracts and (c) any other reasonable expenses properly incurred by Scottish Ministers in connection with the preparation and completion of this Agreement, the Standard Security and the Ranking Agreement other than the professional charges of their legal advisers.

4.1.1 The Shared Equity Owner shall pay on demand to Scottish Ministers on a full indemnity basis all reasonable costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal, valuation, registration and out‑of‑pocket expenses) properly incurred by Scottish Ministers in connection with any actual, proposed or attempted amendment, exercise, enforcement, discharge, extension, variation, waiver or preservation of any rights under this Agreement and/ or the Standard Security and/ or the Ranking Agreement.

5. Scottish Ministers' Right of Pre-emption

5.1 In the event of the Shared Equity Owner deciding to sell or otherwise dispose of the Property or, subject to clause 2.4.1, on the occurrence of a Payment Event the Shared Equity Owner shall in the first instance notify Scottish Ministers and Scottish Ministers or their nominees shall have the option of purchasing the Property at a price to be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

A x (100 - B)%

where:

A = the price determined by the Valuer to be the value of the Property if purchased in the open market by a willing buyer from a willing seller at arm's length as determined by the Valuer having proper regard to such matters as he may in his professional judgement deem appropriate including without prejudice to the foregoing the impact on value of (i) any failure on the part of the Shared Equity Owner to comply with, perform and discharge all of the obligations incumbent upon him in terms of this Agreement and the Standard Security (ii) whether vacant possession is available (iii) any Encumbrance affecting the Property and (iv) any increase in value arising from any additions or improvements carried out to the Property provided however that any diminution in value arising from adaptations which have been carried out to meet the needs of a disabled person shall be disregarded; and

B = Scottish Ministers' Proportion.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Shared Equity Owner shall only be entitled to sell or otherwise dispose of the whole of the Property and not only part thereof and the other terms and conditions of the sale shall be such as Scottish Ministers shall, acting reasonably, determine.

As an example if at the time when the option becomes exercisable under clause 5.1 the price determined by the Valuer is £120,000 and Scottish Ministers' Proportion is 20%; the amount to be paid by Scottish Ministers or their nominees will be £96,000 being £120,000 x (100 - 20)%.

5.2 The Scottish Ministers' right of pre-emption in terms of this clause 5 shall be exercised by Scottish Ministers giving notice in writing to the Shared Equity Owner within twenty one days from the date of receipt by Scottish Ministers of written notice of determination of the price in terms of this clause 5.

5.3 In the event that Scottish Ministers decide not to exercise their right of pre-emption the terms of clause 2 (Obligation to Pay) shall apply.

6. Certificates and Determinations

6.1 A certificate signed by any duly authorised officer or employee of Scottish Ministers shall be prima facie evidence of any sums due to Scottish Ministers under this Agreement.

7. Interest and Losses

7.1 If the Shared Equity Owner fails to pay any amount payable by him under this Agreement, Scottish Ministers may charge the Shared Equity Owner interest on the overdue amount. The Shared Equity Owner shall pay the interest immediately on demand, from the due date up to the date of actual payment, after as well as before judgment, at the rate of 2% per annum above the base lending rate (or the equivalent) of the Royal Bank of Scotland plc prevailing at the time of the written demand from the date of the written demand until payment in full of both the sum and the interest thereon, or in the event of that ceasing to exist, such other rate equivalent to it as Scottish Ministers may specify. Such interest shall accrue on a daily basis and be compounded quarterly.

7.2 The Shared Equity Owner shall indemnify and keep indemnified Scottish Ministers against all losses, liabilities, costs and expenses - including without prejudice any depletion of value of the Property - reasonably incurred by Scottish Ministers as a result of any breach by the Shared Equity Owner of any terms of this Agreement, the Standard Security and/ or the Ranking Agreement.

8. Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974

8.1 Subject always to the provisions of section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974 the Shared Equity Owner shall not be entitled to redeem the Standard Security.

9. Transfer

9.1 The Shared Equity Owner shall not at any time assign, transfer or novate any of its rights and/ or obligations under this Agreement save to a Spouse who has entered into an agreement to assume the obligations of the Shared Equity Owner in terms satisfactory to Scottish Ministers.

9.2 Scottish Ministers may at any time assign, transfer or novate any of its rights and/ or obligations under this Agreement to any person.

9.3 Scottish Ministers may disclose to any person with whom it is proposing to enter, or has entered into, any kind of transfer, participation or other agreement in relation to this Agreement:

  • a copy of this Agreement; and
  • any information which Scottish Ministers have acquired in connection with this Agreement.

10. Notices

10.1 Any notice to Scottish Ministers shall be addressed to:

The Scottish Ministers c/o [insert details of Registered Social Landlord or Local Authority or subsidiary including contact person] or to the Scottish Ministers at such other address as Scottish Ministers may notify to the Shared Equity Owner in accordance with this Agreement.

10.2 Any notice to the Shared Equity Owner shall be addressed to the Shared Equity Owner at the Property.

11. Separate Provisions

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable that shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision.

12. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to Scots law and each of the parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

13. Consent to Registration

The Parties consent to the registration hereof and of any such Certificate for preservation and execution. IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement comprising this and the [ ] preceding pages is executed as follows:

signature box

STANDARD SECURITY

by

# [Owner]

in favour of

# [The Scottish Ministers]

I, # (the "Owner"), residing at # (declaring that where these presents are granted by more than one person the singular herein includes the plural and all obligations herein are undertaken jointly and severally) hereby in security of all sums, liabilities and obligations which are now or may hereafter become due by the Owner to the Scottish Ministers (hereinafter referred to as "Scottish Ministers") by virtue of the Minute of Agreement between Scottish Ministers and the Owner signed by the Owner on or about the date hereof (hereinafter referred to as the "Shared Equity Agreement") and any variation thereof, GRANT a Standard Security in favour of Scottish Ministers over ALL and WHOLE [description per Disposition] (hereinafter referred to as the "Property"); The Standard Conditions specified in Schedule 3 to the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970 and any lawful variation thereof operative for the time being shall apply; And the Owner agrees that the Standard Conditions shall be varied to the effect that:

(a) standard condition 1 shall be modified to the effect that it shall be an obligation on the Owner where there is an obligation to maintain the security subjects such obligation shall be deemed to include an obligation to renew or procure the renewal of the same should this be reasonably required by Scottish Ministers;

(b) standard conditions 3 and 4 shall be modified to the effect that it shall be an obligation on the Owner to ensure that all consents and approvals under all statutes (including all bye-laws, instruments, orders and regulations for the time being made thereunder or deriving therefrom) and the regulations and codes of practice of any governmental, local or other competent authorities affecting the Property have been obtained and are complied with at all times;

(c) standard condition 4 shall be varied to the effect that reference to any notice or order issued or made by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Acts 1997 to 2006 and any subsequent amendments shall be construed as including all notices or orders of whatsoever kind made, given or issued by any authority or person which may affect the value of the Property in any way;

(d) standard condition 5 shall be modified to the effect that it shall be an obligation on the Owner:

(i) to maintain such insurances in relation to the Property as are normally maintained by prudent owners of similar properties;

(ii) without prejudice to the foregoing sub-paragraph (i), to effect and maintain insurance against loss or damage to the Property by fire, lightning, aircraft, explosion, earthquake, storm, flood, riot, malicious damage, theft or attempted theft, falling trees or branches or aerials, subsidence, heave, landslip, collision, accidental damage to underground services, professionals fees, demolition and site clearance costs, public liability to anyone else and such other risks as Scottish Ministers may from time to time require and that with sound and reputable insurers;

(iii) to ensure that each such insurance policy will not as against Scottish Ministers be rendered void, voidable or unenforceable by reason of any act, omission, breach of warranty or non-disclosure by the Owner or any occupier of the Property. Scottish Ministers shall have full power to settle and adjust with the insurers all questions with respect to claims under each such policy. The Owner shall also ensure that all monies payable by the insurers under each such policy will be paid to the good discharge therefor ;

(iv) not to insure the Property or any part thereof otherwise than in accordance with the foregoing obligation and, if the Owner shall at any time effect any insurance in breach of such obligation, then (subject as aftermentioned) to hold all monies received under any such last-mentioned insurance (hereinafter referred to as the "Insurance Monies") as trustee for Scottish Ministers and, on demand, to pay the same to Scottish Ministers to be applied as if the same arose under a policy effected in terms hereof; except that the Owner will not be held to be in breach of the foregoing obligation if the Owner holds as trustee and pays to Scottish Ministers as aforesaid part only of the Insurance Monies, in circumstances where (a) the Owner is required by the holder of a standard security over the Property which Scottish Ministers have agreed shall rank prior to these presents in respect of the Property (hereinafter referred to as the "Prior Ranking Secured Creditor") to pay the Insurance Monies to the Prior Ranking Secured Creditor towards repayment of sums owed by the Owner to the Prior Ranking Secured Creditor; and (b) the part of the Insurance Monies held by the Owner as trustee and paid to Scottish Ministers as aforesaid is an amount which is no less than the total amount of the Insurance Monies actually received by the Owner mulitplied by the Scottish Ministers' Proportion (as that term is defined in the Shared Equity Agreement) then applicable; and

(v) the insurance to be effected in terms of Standard Condition 5(a) shall provide index linked cover to the extent of the full reinstatement value;

for the purposes of this Standard Security, the terms "Scottish Ministers" and "the Owner" herein contained shall be deemed to be references to the terms "creditor" and "debtor" respectively contained in the said standard conditions which shall be construed accordingly; And the Owner grants warrandice excepting therefrom the standard security by the Owner in favour of [##] dated on or about the date hereof; And the Owner declares that as at the date of the execution of these presents the Property is neither (a) a matrimonial home in relation to which a spouse of the Owner has occupancy rights within the meaning of the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981 as amended nor (b) a family home in relation to which a civil partner of the Owner has occupancy rights within the meaning of the Civil Partnership Act 2004; And the Owner consents to registration for execution: IN WITNESS WHEREOF

RANKING AGREEMENT

among

# [Bank/Building Society]

and

# [The Scottish Ministers]

and

# [Owner]

CLAUSES

1. Ranking of Securities
2. Security to be Continuing
3. Agreement
4. Negative Pledge
5. Authority to Release Information
6. Consent
7. Variation
8. Transfers
9. Miscellaneous
10. Notices
11. Definitions
12. Other Security
13. Separate Provisions
14. Governing Law
15. Consent to Registration

RANKING AGREEMENT

This RANKING AGREEMENT is made among:

(1) # (the "Primary Lender");

(2) The Scottish Ministers (" Scottish Ministers"); and

(3) # (the " Owner").

Definitions are given in Clause 11.

WHEREAS

(A) The Owner has granted or is about to grant in favour of the Primary Lender a fixed security over the Property;

(B) The Owner has granted or is about to grant in favour of Scottish Ministers a fixed security over the Property;

(C) The Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers wish to regulate the ranking of the Securities; and

(D) The Owner has agreed to the terms of this Agreement.

IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Ranking of Securities

1.1 The Primary Lender, Scottish Ministers and the Owner agree that the sums secured or to be secured by the Primary Lender Fixed Security and the Postponed Fixed Security shall rank in the following order of priority:

1.1.1 the Primary Lender Fixed Security to the extent of the Primary Lender Priority Debt; then

1.1.2 the Postponed Fixed Security to the extent of the Postponed Debt; then

1.1.3 the Primary Lender Fixed Security to the extent of the balance (if any) of the Primary Lender Debt.

1.2 The ranking and priority set out in Clause 1.1 shall take effect notwithstanding any of the following:

1.2.1 the nature of the securities created by the Primary Lender Fixed Security and the Postponed Fixed Security and the dates of execution and registration of them;

1.2.2 any provision contained in any of the Securities;

1.2.3 the date or dates on which moneys have been or may be advanced or become due, owing or payable under the Primary Lender Fixed Security and the Postponed Fixed Security respectively;

1.2.4 any fluctuation from time to time in the amounts secured by the Primary Lender Fixed Security or the Postponed Fixed Security including any reduction of those amounts to nil;

1.2.5 the existence of any credit balance on any current or other account of the Owner with either the Primary Lender or Scottish Ministers;

1.2.6 the appointment of a Trustee in bankruptcy to the Owner, his sequestration, his apparent insolvency and/or the appointment of a judicial factor to all or any part of his assets in respect of the Owner or over all or any part of the assets;

1.2.7 the sale or other disposal of any land or buildings or any interest in any land or buildings prior to enforcement;

1.2.8 any present or future mortgage or other charge granted by the Owner to either the Primary Lender or Scottish Ministers (other than the Securities) (unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Primary Lender or Scottish Ministers); and

1.2.9 the provisions of Section 13 of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970.

1.3 The Owner agrees for the benefit of the Primary Lender only that he shall not exercise any right he may have or which may accrue to him under Section 11 of the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974 with respect to the Postponed Fixed Security at any time prior to the Primary Lender Priority Debt Discharge Date.

2. Security to be Continuing

The Securities shall rank as provided in this Agreement as continuing securities for repayment of the amounts owing to each of the Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers from time to time by the Owner or by any person or Owner whose obligations to the Primary Lender or Scottish Ministers are guaranteed by the Owner.

3. Agreement

If a Trustee in bankruptcy or a judicial factor regards this Agreement as failing to bind him in the distribution of the proceeds of sale of the assets of the Owner (and in as far as the refusal of the Trustee in bankruptcy or the judicial factor causes prejudice to the Primary Lender or Scottish Ministers), the Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers will compensate each other to the extent to which it has benefited as a result of this refusal.

4. Negative Pledge

The Owner shall not grant any further fixed charges over the Property without the written consent of the Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers.

5. Authority to Release Information

5.1 During the continuance of each of the Primary Lender Fixed Security and the Postponed Fixed Security, the Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers may disclose to each other information concerning the Owner and its affairs in such manner and to such extent as the Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers may wish and the Owner consents to such disclosure.

5.2 The Primary Lender agrees to give notice promptly to Scottish Ministers upon increasing the limit of any of the facilities for the time being granted by it to the Owner or upon granting it new facilities.

6. Consent

The Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers consent to the grant by the Owner of the Securities and each acknowledge the right of the other to production and delivery of copies of the Securities.

7. Variation

The Primary Lender Fixed Security and the Postponed Fixed Security are varied to the extent specified in this Agreement and this Agreement shall be construed and receive effect as a variation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970.

8. Transfers

The Primary Lender shall not assign or transfer the benefit of the Primary Lender Fixed Security and Scottish Ministers shall not assign or transfer the benefit of any of the Postponed Fixed Security unless the assignee or transferee first undertakes in writing to the Primary Lender and/or Scottish Ministers, as the case may be, to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement as if such transferee were a party to this Agreement.

9. Miscellaneous

Unless and until the Primary Lender Fixed Security is discharged, Scottish Ministers agree that any obligation under the Postponed Fixed Security to deposit deeds and documents of title, and all policies of insurance with Scottish Ministers shall be deemed satisfied and complied with if those are deposited with the Primary Lender.

10. Notices

10.1 All notices or other communications to be made or given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be by first-class pre-paid post or by fax.

10.2 Receipt shall be deemed to have occurred forty-eight hours after posting (unless hand-delivered and then at the time of delivery) and if by fax when sent provided a transmission report is received.

10.3 Any notice to the Primary Lender shall be addressed to:

10.4 Any notice to Scottish Ministers shall be addressed to:

The Scottish Ministers c/o [insert details of Registered Social Landlord or Local Authority or subsidiary including contact person] or to the Scottish Ministers at such other address as Scottish Ministers may notify in accordance with this Agreement

10.5 Any notice to the Owner shall be addressed to the Owner at the Property.

11. Definitions

In the interpretation of this Agreement:

11.1 "Primary Lender Debt" means all or any monies and liabilities which shall from time to time (and whether on or at any time after demand) be due, owing or incurred in whatsoever manner to the Primary Lender by the Owner, whether actually or contingently, solely or jointly and whether as principal or surety and whether or not the Primary Lender shall have been an original party to the relevant transaction, and including interest, discount, commission and other lawful charges or expenses which the Primary Lender may in the course of its business charge or incur in respect of any of those matters or for keeping the Owner's account, and so that interest shall be computed and compounded according to the usual Primary Lender rates and practice as well after as before any demand made or decree obtained;

11.2 "Primary Lender Fixed Security" means the standard security over the Property granted by the Owner in favour of the Primary Lender dated on or about the date hereof and about to be registered in the Land Register of Scotland in security for the Primary Lender Debt;

11.3 "Primary Lender Priority Debt' means the Primary Lender's Debt not exceeding £# (or such greater amount, if any, as shall be agreed in writing between the Primary Lender and Scottish Ministers) together with (a) outstanding interest on that amount and (b) all outstanding commission, charges, fees, costs and expenses arising or incurred in connection with it;

11.4 "Primary Lender Priority Debt Discharge Date" means the date on which the Primary Lender Priority Debt has been repaid or otherwise discharged in full;

11.5 "Postponed Debt" means all sums due and to become due to Scottish Ministers by the Owner whether as principal debtor, co-obligant, guarantor, surety or otherwise (including all present, future or contingent obligations owed to Scottish Ministers, whether such obligations exist now or arise in the future) together with interest and charges, interest on them and all commission, charges, fees, costs and expenses arising or incurred in connection with those sums;

11.6 "Postponed Fixed Security" means the standard security over the Property granted by the Owner in favour of Scottish Ministers dated # on or about the date hereof and about to be registered in the Land Register of Scotland in security for the Postponed Debt;

11.7 "Property" means ALL and WHOLE the subjects known as and forming #, being the whole subjects registered or about to be registered in the Land Register of Scotland under Title Number #;

11.8 "Securities" means the Primary Lender Fixed Security and the Postponed Fixed Security;

11.9 "enforce" (and all derivations from it) means the taking of any of the following actions:

(1) exercising a power of sale or otherwise utilising the rights given to a creditor under any of the Securities;

(2) suing for payment of any of the Primary Lender Debt or the Postponed Debt;

(3) petitioning for a sequestration order;

(4) granting of a voluntary Trust Deed or the making of a composition contract or arrangement with creditors; or

(5) exercising of any rights of set-off, retention combination of accounts or similar right in respect of the Primary Lender Debt or the Postponed Debt;

11.10 Derivative expressions of any defined term shall be construed accordingly;

11.11 References to:

11.11.1 statutes, statutory provisions and other legislation shall include all amendments, substitutions, modifications and re-enactments for the time being in force;

11.11.2 "including" shall not be construed as limiting the generality of the words preceding it;

11.11.3 words importing the singular shall include the plural and vice versa and words denoting any gender shall include all genders;

11.11.4 this Agreement and to any provisions of it or to any other document referred to in this Agreement shall be construed as references to it in force for the time being as amended, varied, supplemented, restated, substituted or novated from time to time;

11.11.5 any person are to be construed to include references to a corporation, firm, owner, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated body of persons, individual or any state or agency of a state, whether or not a separate legal entity;

11.11.6 any person are to be construed to include that person's assignees or transferees or successors in title, whether direct or indirect; and

11.11.7 clause headings are for ease of reference only and are not to affect the interpretation of this Agreement; and

11.12 For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement supersedes any previous agreement, whether written or oral, express or implied, between the parties to it (or any of them) in relation to the subject matter of this Agreement.

12. Other Security

The Primary Lender shall be entitled at any time at its discretion and without consulting the Owner or Scottish Ministers to transact and deal with any other securities or guarantees of any kind that may be held by it in respect of the Owner's obligations to it and may sell, dispose of or realise such other securities in any order which it may determine and this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such transactions or dealings.

13. Separate Provisions

If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable that shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision.

14. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed according to Scots law and each of the parties submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts.

15. Consent to Registration

The parties to this Agreement consent to its registration for preservation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement consisting of this and the # preceding pages is executed as follows:

signature box

signature box

Contact

HousingMarkets@gov.scot

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