Information For Property Buyers

Searches

Your solicitor will carry out local searches on your behalf to make sure that the property you are planning to buy does not have, for example, a road planned at the bottom of your garden or any compulsory purchase orders attached to it. From 1st June 2007 these will be included in the Home Information Pack which we will have prepared for every property registered from this date.

This is usually done by a search of the local land register. Your solicitor will send a standard form to the local authority who will enter details of any local land charge adjacent to the property you are buying.

You can speed up the process by arranging a personal search. You pay a fee, whereby a search agent, appointed by your solicitor, calls at the offices of the local authority and the search is conducted there and then. This is not an official search, so will not protect you to the same degree, but if speed is of the essence, it can save weeks.

What the search should show

• Planning notices
• Conditional planning permissions
• Compulsory purchase orders
• Tree preservation orders
• Whether the property is a listed building or in a conversation area etc.
• Financial charges relating to work undertaken by the local authority such as road works or repairs to dangerous buildings

Additional information

Local searches are by no means exhaustive, so your solicitor will make other enquiries with the local authority. These will include, for example:

• Proposed roadworks within 200 metres of the property
• Possible diversion or closure or roads or footpaths
• Noise abatement orders
• Sewers and drainage
• Proceedings relating to any infringement of building regulations

Depending on the location of the property, other searches may be required, such as the proposed development of adjacent land, or whether the property is in a mining area or has any adverse rights of way.