Conveyancing FAQ's What are searches?If you are buying a property there are five main types of search that could be carried out, and your solicitor will determine which of these are applicable. Some of these searches should already have been completed as part of the home information pack (HIP):
Local Authority Search
This looks at the planning history of the property and whether the Council are aware of any breaches of in planning permission. The search also checks for proposals for any new traffic schemes and roads that could affect the value of your property, as well as for anything else of interest such as conservation areas and smoke control orders within the Council's control that affect the property.
Drainage Search
This search shows the location of drains and sewers located near or on your property and whether or not surface water and/or foul water drains run into a public or private sewer.
Land Registry Search
This search determines the current ownership of the property and checks that there are no mortgages registered against the property that have not previously been disclosed. If a mortgage is in place the buyers solicitor will obtain confirmation that the mortgage will be repaid.
Bankruptcy Search
If you are taking out a mortgage against the property you are purchasing then the lender will request that your solicitor carries out a search to ensure you are not bankrupt.
Environmental Search
It is recommended that environmental searches are carried out on any property you are purchasing. These searches identify whether there are any landfill/waste disposal sites in the area, if your property has been built on an old industrial site, and whether there are any risks from the land your house is built on being contaminated or having toxic emissions, for example if your property is situated in an area with high levels of radon. Environmental searches should also identify if your property may be susceptible to flooding or subsidence as a result of mining.
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