What Is a Notice to Perform?
In California real estate transactions, a Notice to Perform, sometimes referred to as a Notice to Buyer to Perform (NBP) or Notice to Seller to Perform (NSP), is a formal notification sent from one party to another to fulfill their contractual obligations within a specific timeframe. This type of notice is usually used when a party fails to perform a specific action required by the contract within the agreed-upon timeline.
Here's how it generally works:
- Initial Contractual Agreement: In a real estate transaction, buyer and seller enter into a contractual agreement that stipulates specific obligations and deadlines for both parties.
- Failure to Perform: If one party (typically the buyer, but it could be the seller as well) fails to perform their obligation as per the contract – for example, not removing contingencies, not depositing earnest money, or not taking steps towards securing a loan – then the other party may decide to send a Notice to Perform.
- Issuing the Notice to Perform: The Notice to Perform is delivered by the party who is waiting for the other to fulfill their obligation. It basically says, "you have a certain amount of time to perform your obligation, or else risk the consequences."
- Timeframe: According to California law, the notice period is a minimum of 2 days. However, the timeframe might be subject to the agreement made in the initial contract or established in the notice form itself.
- Consequences of Non-Performance: If the recipient of a properly served Notice to Perform still fails to meet their obligations within the given timeframe, the other party might have the right to take legal action or cancel the contract. In a typical home buying scenario, if the buyer fails to meet the overdue contingencies or submit a cancellation exercising the contingency, the seller can cancel the contract and potentially keep the earnest money deposit.
- Legal Assistance: It's crucial to have legal counsel when dealing with such matters. The process of issuing a Notice to Perform, understanding its implications, and the possible outcomes should be handled with the help of a real estate attorney.
The purpose of a Notice to Perform is to remind the other party of their obligations and to provide a final opportunity to fulfill them. It is used to ensure that the transactions proceed according to the contract, and if they do not, to enable the other party to take the next legal steps.