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What Are Conveyancing Searches?

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What Are Conveyancing Searches?

Conveyancing is the legal part of buying property and refers to the legal transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. The main stages of conveyancing are the exchange of contracts and their completion. However, conveyancing searches are highly recommended.

Conveyancing searches vary, and they can tell you a lot of information about a property, which is essential when making such a large financial purchase and/or investment.

A property purchase is likely to be most people's biggest financial decision that they will ever make. Therefore, making sure there are no hidden surprises is key.

In this blog, we’ll highlight exactly what a conveyancing search is, what it involves, the different types of property searches, how much conveyancing searches can cost in the UK, who pays for this, and how long conveyancing search results can take. Read on to learn more about property searches and be prepared when buying a property.

Table of Contents

 

What Are Conveyancing Searches?

Conveyancing searches are also known as property searches that are conducted before you purchase a property and contracts are exchanged. These searches require the public authorities and other parties to give you more information on the house or property you’re interested in buying.

Conveyancing searches aim to identify if the property has any potential risks or problems that could occur, including roof issues, flood risk, dampness, structural issues, easements, electrical issues, unregistered land, restrictive covenants, and Japanese knotweed.

 

Why Is A Conveyancing Search Important?

These searches are an essential part of the conveyancing process to ensure you’re completely aware of potential issues that may arise regarding the property you’re purchasing or investing in. Not only are they in your best interest, but your mortgage lender too.

They protect you and your mortgage lender from becoming involved in a property that will lose value in the future and could be potentially hazardous to yourself or those around you.

 

What Are The Main Types of Property Searches?

With various property searches available, it’s important to note that some are mandatory for all types of properties if buying with a mortgage, and other types are only relevant to certain property types and locations. The three main property searches when buying a house include:

 

#1 Local Authority Search

This is an essential part of conveyancing searches and will tell you about the property itself and its surrounding areas. Local authority searches include local land charges and register searches. This involves determining if the building is a listed building, if the property has conditional planning permissions or if it is in some sort of conservation area.

Another part of the local authority search will be able to tell you the property planning history, its regulations and if there are any traffic schemes planned or contaminated land nearby.

 

#2 Environmental Search

Environmental searches identify whether the previous land use creates any risks, including if the property is on contaminated land or near toxic waste and highlight if there is any risk of land flooding or land sliding.

 

#3 Water and Drainage Search

A water and drainage search is necessary for properties in the UK as it confirms the property’s water supply, if the property is connected to a public sewer system, and if there are any nearby public drains or sewers.

This information is essential to ensuring that the property you’re buying does not have the unknown risk of flooding, leaking, or dampness caused by public drains and waterways.

 

What Are The Other Types of Conveyancing Searches?

In addition to the mandatory searches Environmental, Local Authority and Water and Drainage), other searches may be necessary. Some of these include:

 

Land Registry Searches

Most of the property and land sold in England and Wales is recorded by the HM Land Registry. During the conveyancing process, land registry searches are performed to confirm that the seller is the legal owner of the property. If so, this confirms that they are allowed to sell the property.

The search will also highlight any previous owners of the property, how much the property was bought for and if the property has any debts tied up to it. This search is not mandatory for cash buyers, but if required if you’re looking to buy the property with a mortgage.

 

Planning Search

A planning search will help you find out if it’s possible for the property that you're looking to buy to be able to have any types of extensions to it. This is important if you’re looking to purchase a property for development reasons. If you’re not looking to expand your property after purchase, then this conveyancing search will not be necessary.

 

Mining Search

A mining search aims to determine whether a property is located on or near previous mining activity, as this significantly raises the risk of ground subsidence and structural instability. If the property is located in areas historically known for coal, tin or other mineral extractions, this type of conveyancing search will be necessary.

 

Chancel Liability Search

A Chancel Liability Search is applicable for properties that are located in regions within close proximity to mediaeval parishes of a church. If this is the case, then this type of search will confirm whether you will be legally obligated to contribute to repairs of a nearby parish church.

This cost can come very unexpectedly without a chancel repair liability search, so it helps to protect you from additional costs you may not have financially factored in.

 

Rail Search (HS2 and Underground)

A Rail Search is useful to identify whether a property would be affected by planned or existing railway projects like HS2 or Underground extensions. This search is important as close proximity to rail projects can impact property value, noise, and vibrations.

 

How Much Do Conveyancing Searches Cost In The UK?

The typical cost of conveyancing searches in the UK can vary between £250 and £450. Keep in mind that this is an approximation, and the accurate cost will depend on how many searches your property will require. Request a quick conveyancing quotation today for a more accurate cost estimation.

 

Who Pays for Conveyancing Searches?

It is the responsibility of the home buyer to pay for conveyancing searches, as they will be responsible for dealing with any past or future issues regarding the property.

Therefore, mandatory and any necessary conveyancing searches will help to uncover anything that could be costly or problematic. Having these searches allows the home buyer to make a much more informed property purchase decision.

 

How Long Do The Results Of Conveyancing Searches Take?

Roughly, conveyancing searches can take around two to three weeks, but this is fully dependent on whatever the searches may bring up and highlight to your conveyancing solicitor. This may result in a pause in the process.

In total, there are over 340 local authorities in the UK, all managed differently across the country, therefore, the searches are managed differently too. The turnaround time for conveyancing searches could potentially differ depending on the area.

Remember, the length of time will vary depending on the results of the search. It could be that you get the results in as little as 48 hours, or it could stretch to several weeks.

 

How Long Are Conveyancing Searches Valid For?

Typically, conveyancing searches expire after six months. If the property sale hasn’t been completed within this timeframe and you are buying the property with a mortgage, you will need to have new searches conducted.

Your conveyancing solicitor will arrange these conveyancing searches, ensuring effective communication to avoid any avoidable delays during the buying process.

 

Contact Bell Lamb & Joynson Today

At Bell Lamb & Joynson, we have years of experience and expertise in all aspects of conveyancing to help people from all over the North West with the conveyancing process. Buying a property is an exciting process, but without the right knowledge, it can take longer than necessary and become a tiring process.

That’s why we are here by your side to make this property-purchase journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. There are many conveyancing searches that we can help with, which may or may not be needed, depending on the type of property you wish to purchase.

For advice on what searches would be best and most beneficial for you and conveyancing support that doesn’t have any hidden fees or surprises, contact us today at 03444 124348.

 

Conveyancing Searches FAQs

Are Property Searches Mandatory?

If you’re buying your property with a mortgage, then conveyancing searches will be mandatory but they're not if you’re purchasing the property with cash.

 

Can You Buy A House Without Searches?

If you’re buying the property with cash, then the decision is completely up to you. However, they are always advised as they give you a more detailed understanding of the property to help you make an informed financial decision.

Laura Cartwright
Laura Cartwright

Laura is a Partner and heads up our residential conveyancing team. Laura is Chartered Legal Executive and is experienced in all aspects of residential conveyancing including remortgages, shared ownership, new build and leasehold properties Laura is the Regional Chair for the North West for Women in Residential Property and is the host of the conveyancing podcast ‘Bricks And Banter’.