Searches are enquiries made with the local authority and other organisations to find out things about a property that a viewing will not show you. If you are buying with a mortgage, your lender will require them.
Local authority search
This search covers planning permissions and building regulations, listed building and conservation area status, road schemes, and other matters recorded by the council. It can reveal works carried out without the right consents, or plans that could affect the property.
Drainage and water search
This confirms whether the property is connected to the public sewer and the mains water supply, and whether any public sewers run within its boundaries, which can affect future building work.
Environmental search
An environmental search looks at risks such as flooding, ground stability and contaminated land in the surrounding area.
Other searches
Depending on the location, we may recommend further searches, for example for mining activity, or a check of the church’s historic rights to charge for chancel repairs. We will tell you which searches we recommend and why.
Search costs
Searches are disbursements: costs paid to the search providers rather than to us. They are passed on at cost and set out in your personalised quote.
What happens next
We review the results and explain anything that needs your attention in your report. If a search reveals a problem, we raise it with the seller’s conveyancer before you commit to anything.
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every transaction is different, so please contact us to talk about yours.