Congratulations! You’ve found your dream home, had your offer accepted, and instructed a conveyancer to oversee your move.
However, before you get the keys to your new property, several stages need to be completed.
One key step in the conveyancing process is undertaking ‘searches’. Many people will be familiar with the term, but do you know what it really means and what it involves?
In this blog, our experienced Residential Conveyancers reveal more about the searches they complete when assisting with a property purchase.
What are property searches in conveyancing?
Searches are a series of enquiries made by a residential conveyancer to obtain more information about the property you want to buy.
They highlight some of the issues that are a problem with the property at the time of purchase or may become an issue further down the line.
When does a conveyancer undertake searches?
Your conveyancer will usually undertake a series of pre-contract searches once your initial offer has been accepted and – the sellers conveyancers have provided the Contract package containing the property documents.
What searches does a conveyancer do?
The searches that are undertaken depend on various factors, including the property’s location and whether you have any particular concerns that warrant further examination.
There are three typical searches that a conveyancer will undertake:
- Local authority search. A local authority search discloses issues that might directly affect the property and can forewarn about restrictions the property may have imposed on it.
A local authority search is divided into two parts:
- A local land charges certificate (LLC1). This tells you if the property:
- Is a listed building.
- Has debts registered against it.
- Is in a conservation area.
- Is subject to a tree preservation order.
- Is in a smoke control area.
- Enquiries of the local authority (CON29). This form helps to establish if the property will remain a worthwhile investment in the future by highlighting, for example:
- Any proposals for new roads or traffic schemes.
- Any planning decisions that might affect your property.
- Whether it is on the contaminated land register.
- Environmental search. An environmental search details how the land your property is on was used in the past and whether there is a risk that use has caused contamination. It also identifies whether there is a risk of flooding, subsidence, and landslips, and the property’s proximity to any energy exploration sites.
- Water and Drainage search. A water and drainage search provides information about whether the property is connected to a mains water supply and will disclose whether there is a public sewer within the property’s boundaries. It will also consider whether these risks might affect your home in the future.
If the property you are buying is in an area which used to be mined or quarried, a coal mining search is also required.
In addition, there are several supplementary searches that conveyancers can undertake. These include:
- Commons Registration.
- DevAssess Search.
- Utilities.
A specialist residential conveyancer can advise exactly what searches need to be carried out depending on the nature of your property and its location.
At Larcomes, we have extensive experience helping people in Waterlooville and Portsmouth and across the southeast of England with their residential property purchases and sales.
If you are looking for an experienced and reliable conveyancer, please get in touch with our team. Call us on 023 9244 8100 (Portsmouth) or 023 9224 6666 (Waterlooville) or click here to make an online enquiry.
Why do conveyancers do searches?
Searches unearth crucial additional information about a property. They are a vital part of the conveyancing process, ultimately determining whether a buyer proceeds with the transaction.
Some mortgage lenders will not proceed without searches being completed, and even for cash buyers, they are essential for highlighting potential issues with a property.
What happens if something requires further action?
During the searches, your conveyancer will raise any queries with the sellers and can ask for additional information about the property to alleviate any concerns you may have.
If any issues come to light, these need to be concluded to the satisfaction of the seller and the buyer, possibly in the form of a revised offer.
How long do searches take?
On average, searches take about four weeks to complete, although the exact timescale depends on the local authority and its workload.
Are conveyancing searches valid indefinitely?
Searches are valid for six months. If your property purchase hasn’t gone through in this time, you should consider having new searches carried out so that the information is accurate and up to date.
Residential Conveyancing Solicitors Portsmouth
At Larcomes, our residential property conveyancing team helps clients with property purchases and sales and will ensure your transaction is carried out as smoothly and cost-effectively as possible.
We make sure the necessary legal steps are taken to buy or sell your property and that the matter is completed quickly and efficiently whilst ensuring you are kept up to date throughout the legal process.
Buying or selling your property can be a stressful experience and our goal is to remove the stress by providing a friendly and quality responsive service.
Our conveyancing department is accredited by the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). This is a quality standard for residential conveyancing practices which recognises the highest practice management standards and is a mark of excellence for the home-buying process.
If you are looking for a reliable and professional conveyancer to assist with your move, give Larcomes a call today. You can reach us on 023 9244 8100 (Portsmouth) or 023 9224 6666 (Waterlooville).
To find out more about our specialist conveyancing law team, please click here.
Please note that this article is not intended as legal or professional advice. It is for general guidance only, and updates to the law may have changed since it was published.
