Online records in conveyancing transactions
In cases where records required for conveyancing transactions are maintained only online, it is the online record that is conclusive and can be accepted by a purchaser’s solicitor. A purchaser’s solicitor may accept a photocopy, coloured copy, printout, or review the online record. Examples are BER certificates and LPT online records.
In conveyancing transactions, where a local authority emails documentation to a solicitor acting in the transaction – such as NPPR certificates of exemption, certificates of exemption, or waivers in relation to the household charge, and so on – the emailed soft copy of both the email and the attachment is sufficient for conveyancing purposes and can be printed off and placed with the title deeds.
There is no need for either a purchaser’s or vendor’s solicitor to certify a copy as being a copy of an original of any of the above documents.