Already received ready contract

[wisteriadrive]

Haven’t even got our mortgage offer yet as it’s still being reviewed…
Selling my property and buying another.
Yesterday received what I presume is a draft contract, is signing it at this stage risky if I haven’t even got my mortgage offer ?

Sorry typo on the title it should say draft contract

Read the letter your solicitor sent you.

I haven’t had one ?

Why would you ask on mumsnet before contacting your solicitor?

Contact your solicitor

They just sent you the blank contract in the post with nothing else?

It was sent via email. Along with the title deed, they asked I sign and return by post

I will obviously do this, but it’s 7am in the morning so I doubt anyone would be available right now !!

Then you sign and return as per the email. Your solicitor will ring you later down the line for permission to make it legally binding.

Thanks. This was my question really, is it legally binding at this stage, I’m weary to sign something when I don’t have a mortgage offer at this stage

Does it have a date for completion on it?

If it does, don’t sign until you know you can meet it.

No it doesn’t. It actually says looking again not to date it

Nothing is legally binding until exchange. Draft contracts are normally prepared very early in the process. You don’t need to sign anything until you are ready to exchange.

This is really normal. The contract is always one of the first things I’ve had, and we move a lot. Nothing binding about any part of it until contracts are exchanged. Your seller will be in same position.

Are you sure its a contract and not just the information pack?

The info pack contains the property info, sellers details, fixtures and fittings, land documents etc... plus paperwork for your lawyer (all your details, anti money laundering stuff, legal things about fraud awareness and your understanding of the process etc...) but its not the contract.

No there is literally just a contract and the title deeds saying transferor (me) to transferee (buyers)

@Doris86 OP needs to sign and return documents as soon as her solicitor asks. They don’t become legally binding until OP gives permission but the original signed documents are needed for that.