Buying or selling a home can feel uncertain until everything is legally complete. Even in Scotland’s more secure property system, transactions can occasionally fall through before missives are concluded.
Hastings Legal’s No Key, No Fee conveyancing policy is designed to give you reassurance during that period. If your sale or purchase does not proceed through no fault of your own, you will not be charged our legal fees for the work carried out.
What does No Key, No Fee mean?
Put simply, if your transaction fails to reach completion, we waive our legal fees. You are only responsible for any necessary outlays already incurred on your behalf.
This applies whether you are:
- Buying a property and your offer is unsuccessful, or
- Selling a property and the buyer withdraws before missives are concluded.
Our aim is to remove the financial risk of legal costs where a transaction cannot proceed, giving you confidence to move forward.
Why this matters in Scotland
The Scottish conveyancing system is widely regarded as more stable than the system in England and Wales. Once missives are concluded, transactions are legally binding.
However, until that point, there is always a small risk that circumstances can change. The Hastings Legal No Key, No Fee policy provides a valuable safeguard during this early stage of the process.
When does the policy apply?
The No Key, No Fee policy applies to most standard residential transactions, subject to the following terms:
- The transaction must relate to the conveyancing of a residential dwellinghouse.
(This does not include building plots or commercial properties.) - Purchases
If your offer is not accepted by the seller, whether verbally or in writing, we will waive our legal fees for preparing and submitting the formal offer. - Sales
If your purchaser withdraws from the transaction due to unforeseen circumstances outwith your control before missives are concluded, we will waive our legal fees for the work carried out on your behalf. - Outlays
You will remain responsible for reimbursing any necessary outlays incurred, such as registration dues or search fees. - Partial fee liability
Where fees are not eligible to be waived under the No Key, No Fee policy, you will be liable to pay a proportion of the agreed fee, based on the work completed.
A straightforward safeguard
This policy reflects our commitment to clear advice, fair pricing, and reducing unnecessary stress when buying or selling your home.
If you would like to discuss how No Key, No Fee conveyancing applies to your circumstances, our property law team will be happy to help.
