When buying a property, searches are often seen as just another administrative hurdle and something your lender requires before they will release funds. However, whether you are purchasing with a mortgage or as a cash buyer, searches are an integral part of a property purchase and exist to protect you.
Conveyancing has an underpinning principle of ‘let the buyer be aware’. It is under this understanding that it is the buyer’s responsibility to carry out a thorough investigation of the property before exchange of contracts. Searches are one of the most important tools available to do exactly that.
In this article, Tasnim Tirech, trainee solicitor in our residential conveyancing team, explains what property searches involve, why they matter, and what different searches can reveal.
What Are Property Searches?
Property searches are formal enquiries submitted via an approved, regulated portal. They gather important details from various public bodies and authorities about the property and the land it stands on. The results go beyond what any visual inspection could reveal and form part of your solicitor’s due diligence on your behalf.
What Are the Main Types of Property Search?
There are various searches available depending on the type and location of the property you are buying, but the most common include:
- Local Land Charges:
A local land charges search reveals any financial or legal burdens registered against the land. These can include charging orders, listed building restrictions, or planning conditions. These would become binding on you as the new owner, so identifying them before exchange is essential.
- Drainage and Water Searches:
While addressing sewage and water may seem mundane, it is crucial and it may lead to legal repercussions. Depending on the location of the property, it may be necessary to review the title documents to ensure that adequate rights exist to access the sewer. For example, if a private pipe crosses third‑party land to reach the main sewer, this will need to be identified and addressed with the seller’s solicitors.
- Highway Searches:
A highway search will show whether the roads and paths adjoining the property are maintained at public expense. This has implications for access rights and any potential future liability for road maintenance costs.
- Environmental Search:
Homebuyers should be aware that they could become responsible for dealing with any contamination found on the property. Environmental searches help highlight these issues and also reveal whether there are hazardous materials nearby or any risk of flooding.
- Other Searches:
The above are the most common, but this is not an exhaustive list. Depending on the location and type of property, your conveyancer may also recommend searches such as mining searches, chancel repair liability, or more detailed local authority searches.
Speak to Our Conveyancing Team
At Berlad Graham, our dedicated team is here to guide you through every stage of the conveyancing process. We’ll advise you on the searches best suited to your specific property and ensure nothing important is overlooked. Our conveyancers are thorough and committed to protecting your transaction, so you can move forward with confidence.
Read our previous guide, ‘Why Do Solicitors Request Source of Funds?’, for related information.
Contact Our Solicitors in Uxbridge
If you would like advice or support with your property transaction, please contact our team today. You can call our friendly lawyers in Uxbridge on 0330 175 5655 or email info@bglaw.co.uk.
