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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Residential conveyancing deposits (England and Wales): amount, source of funds and funding, payment on exchange, holding as agent or stakeholder, interest/VAT, and remedies on failed completion

Practice notes
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This Practice Note explores key issues surrounding the payment and holding of deposits in residential conveyancing transactions.

Nature and purposes of a deposit

There is no common law obligation for a buyer to pay, or a seller to request, a deposit. A deposit becomes payable only where the contract of sale includes an express term to that effect.

A deposit serves two purposes:

  • it gives the seller security that the buyer will perform the contract, and
  • it acts as part payment of the purchase price on completion

The deposit therefore provides the seller with confidence that the buyer will fulfil their contractual duties.

How much deposit is payable?

The memorandum of sale should state the deposit agreed between the buyer and the seller and due on exchange. As a routine check, each party’s conveyancer should confirm with their client that the figure shown in the memorandum is accurate.

Condition 2.2.1 of the Standard Conditions of Sale (Fifth Edition—2018 Revision) (SCS) specifies a deposit of 10% of the property’s purchase price as payable. For the purposes...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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