Terms and Conditions

THIS AGREEMENT is made between the person(s) named at the end of the Agreement (.you.) and SOUTH DOWNS HOME SEARCH (.we., .us.)

Standard Terms and Conditions of Service

1. Commencement

1.We will commence our search for suitable properties as soon as we have received your signed acceptance of these terms and conditions and our Registration Fee (see paragraph 3) has been paid in full.

2. Our Service

To ascertain your requirements by asking you to complete our comprehensive Property Questionnaire.
To register your requirements with the local estate agents within the property search area.
To obtain details of properties which closely reflect the criteria set out in your completed Property Questionnaire. This may be through contact with estate agents, local newspapers and magazines, the internet, direct targeting of properties or any other means available to us.
To view such properties on your behalf, eliminating those which we consider to be inappropriate.
To send you the details of any properties which, in our opinion, would be most suitable for you to view. This will also include our own detailed report which may contain recommendations and comments relating specifically to your own requirements.
To provide additional photographs of the area and properties viewed (with the vendor’s permission).
To provide information on the local area including local amenities, clubs, schools, public transport etc., as appropriate.
To arrange viewings, accompanied by us where possible.
To book local accommodation for you at the time of your visit, if required, and at your own expense.
To keep you fully informed throughout the period of our engagement via email (our preferred method), telephone or post.
To communicate, at your request, an initial offer to an estate agent or vendor in respect of a particular property. We will not, however, progress the sale as this is the responsibility of the estate agent, solicitor and other professionals.

3. Fees and Payment

Purchases

You agree to pay us a registration fee of £500. The Registration Fee must be paid before commencement of any search by us and will be refunded in the event of a successful purchase (Should a contract be extended and a further Registration Fee paid, only one Registration Fee will be refunded). It will not be refunded for any other reason.

In addition you agree to pay us a Commission Fee amounting to 0.5% of the purchase price. The Commission Fee becomes contractually due on Exchange of Contracts.

Rentals

You agree to pay us a Registration Fee of £500. The registration Fee must be paid before commencement of any searchby us and is non-refundable whether or not we can find you any suitable properties or for any other reason.

In addition you agree to pay us a Commission Fee equivalent to half a month's rent. The Commission Fee becomes contractually due on completion of the Tenancy Agreement.

4. Duration

This agreement shall be for a period of up to six months during which time you give us the exclusive rights to search for property on your behalf.

5. Liability

Details of properties, valuations, reports and other information provided by us are prepared in good faith and solely for your guidance. They do not form any part of any contract relating to the purchase or letting of any property. You must, therefore, satisfy yourself as to the correctness and accuracy of any details provided by us. Neither do we accept liability for the views of, or contents of any report prepared by any third party in relation to any property.

In addition we do not accept liability for any advice or recommendations given by us or any third party.

We strongly recommend all prospective purchasers and/or tenants to take appropriate legal and other advice and to use the services of solicitors, surveyors, valuers and other specialists. The service provided by us is not intended as a substitute to obtaining such advice and accordingly no liability is accepted for losses incurred by you in relation to any defects in legal title, the rights or encumbrances affecting the property, the condition and structure of the property or any other consequential loss.

6. General

This Agreement can be terminated at any time by you giving notice in writing to us. The Registration Fee (see paragraph 3)will not be refunded in this case.

VAT is not charged.

This Agreement shall be governed by English law.

7. Privacy and Data Protection

Our clients' privacy is important to us and we will not divulge your name and/or any other information about you to a third party.

We will not sell, trade or rent your personal information to a third party.

We will hold your personal information for a period of up to 12 months beyond the expiry or termination of this Agreement.

You may, at any time, submit a request in writing to us to obtain the details held by us about you for which a fee may be charged.