Commentary on Sections Completion of purchase
253.The new section 97Q of the 2003 Act deals with conveyancing practicalities relevant to the transfer of land following Ministers giving consent to a Part 3A community right to buy application.
254.Subsection (1) provides that the Part 3A community body will be responsible for preparing the documents necessary to effect the conveyance of the land and for ensuring that the subjects to be conveyed are the same as those specified in the consent given by Ministers. It places an obligation on the Part 3A community body to ensure that in preparing the documents it takes account of all conditions imposed by Ministers.
255.Subsection (2) provides that where the Part 3A community body cannot comply with its duty regarding the property to be conveyed, due to the fact that all or part of the land covered by the consent to the Part 3A community right to buy is not owned by the person named as owner in the application, then it must refer this matter to Ministers.
256.Subsection (3) provides that where such a reference is made to Ministers under subsection (2) then Ministers must direct that the right to buy is extinguished.
257.Subsection (4) requires the owner of the land subject to the Part 3A right to buy to make title deeds and other documents available to and transfer title to the Part 3A community body.
258.Subsection (5) provides that if, within 6 weeks of Ministers consenting to the application to buy the land, the owner refuses or fails to make these deeds available, or if they cannot be found, the Part 3A community body can apply to the Lands Tribunal for an order requiring the production of those documents.
259.Subsection (6) provides that the Part 3A community body may apply to the Lands Tribunal to authorise its clerk to effect the transfer of title where the owner refuses, or for other reasons fails, to do so. Where the clerk to the Tribunal does so the effect will be the same as if it were done by the owner.