Residential property solicitor, Sheldon Gayle, explains the various conveyancing searches required when purchasing a property.
Conveyancing includes different searches offered by the Local Government, utility providers, and agencies. The purpose of the searches is to give prospective buyers as much information about possible restrictions, benefits, and obstructions that could affect the property. This allows the buyers to make an informed decision and have a greater understanding on the likely costs and responsibilities they will inevitably take on.
Are searches compulsory?
If the buyer is purchasing the property with the aid of a mortgage, the searches will be mandatory. The lender will inform the conveyancer of the searches they require to comply with the mortgage conditions.
If the buyers are purchasing the property with cash only, they may elect to disregard some of the searches, if not all of them. However, conveyancing searches should always be a crucial part of the home-buying process even if you are a cash buyer.
What are the standard searches involved in a conveyancing transaction?
As part of a standard purchase, there are a few searches, depending on the buyers’ circumstances that will always be carried out. The searches will provide the most vital information in relation to the property. These searches include the Local Authority Search, Water and Drainage Search and the Environmental Search.
Local Authority Search
Local Authorities have a statutory duty to retain information about properties within their borough. The Local Authority Search will provide details in relation to any planning applications, building regulation approvals and the adoption of public highways.
Water and Drainage Search
The Water and Drainage Search will confirm whether the property has a water supply, who the supplier is, and whether the property is connected to a public sewer. The search may also provide information whether there are any public sewers running through the boundaries of the property. This can be important to buyers who intend to make alterations to the property.
Environmental Search
The Environmental Search assesses the historical records to highlight the potential risk of contamination, flooding, radon gas subsidence, transportation, and the energy infrastructure near the property. The information provided in the search is useful in helping determine the insurance availability and potential devaluation of the property. Environmental searches are therefore typically required by mortgage lenders to protect their investments.
Planning Search
The Planning Search report provides a variety of information about the local area, including development proposals nearby as well as education, transport, recreation, retail and entertainment.
It also highlights house extensions, within a radius of the property. This includes small and large developments within the last 10 years, data on Air Quality Management Areas and modelled data, neighbourhood information and planning constraints such as Green Belt, Listed Buildings and Building Conservation Areas.
Other searches?
Depending on the results of the core searches above, there are a wide range of additional searches which can be obtained. These could include a flood report, neighbourhood search, mining search, commons registration search, and Canal and River Trust Search to name a few.
How long do conveyancing searches take?
The time it takes to receive the searches can vary depending on several factors. The location of the property, the workload of the authority and the specific search itself that has been requested will all play a role.
In general, all searches will usually be sent within four weeks but may take longer in busy periods. When buying a house, it is crucial to ensure that all necessary searches are conducted early in the conveyancing process to protect your investment and avoid any potential issues.
At Amphlett Lissimore, we utilise the best technology and work with well-established providers to ensure an efficient, cost-effective, and fast conveyancing service.
In the complex world of conveyancing, the importance of obtaining searches cannot be overlooked.
While it may feel like an unnecessary task that may slow down the time it takes to purchase a home, searches act as a safeguard against unforeseen complications. By consulting with a conveyancing solicitor, they can effectively interpret the search results and provide buyers with peace of mind knowing that all avenues have been covered allowing them to make a more informed decision whether they wish to purchase the property.
Our Conveyancing team can help
Amphlett Lissimore is an established name within property law. We have experienced conveyancing teams based across our offices in Bromley, Crystal Palace, and West Wickham. The team specialise in this area of law and can help you move house. With our proven track record of excellent customer service, we will always endeavour to make the legal side of buying or selling property as stress free as possible for our clients. We have been accredited by the Law Society under its Conveyancing Quality Scheme, and our lawyers include members of the Society of Licensed Conveyancers and the Conveyancing Association.
About the Author
Sheldon Gayle is a solicitor specialising in residential property. Sheldon Gayle assists clients in the South Norwood, Croydon, and West Wickham areas, with conveyancing, remortgaging and transfers of equity.