What Do Conveyancing Searches Cover?

When purchasing a property, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of any potential issues or risks associated with the land or building. This is where conveyancing searches come in. These searches provide vital information that helps protect both buyers and lenders by revealing any hidden concerns, such as legal restrictions, environmental risks, or infrastructure issues. By conducting thorough property searches, buyers can proceed with confidence, knowing they’re making an informed decision.

Primarily, they include details about the property’s title, any legal restrictions or obligations, and environmental factors.

The main searches are as follows:

The Local Authority Search

This requests information from local authorities about a property and includes questions about planning decisions, building regulations, highways, and other local issues that might affect the property.

The Water and Drainage Search

This provides more detailed information regarding drainage and water. It reveals whether the property is connected to mains water and the public sewer or whether there are private systems in place.

The Coal Search

For properties in areas with a history or potential for mining activities, a mining report from The Coal Authority or relevant mining authority is necessary.

The Environmental Search

This reveals any potential environmental risks and liabilities associated with a property. The report provides a review on publicly available data to identify potential environmental issues such as past contaminative uses, radon gas, flood risks, and the presence of waste sites. This type of report can either give the property a pass certification or recommend further assessment if potential risks are identified. In cases where a desktop report flags potential environmental risks, more detailed investigations such as Phase 1 or Phase 2 site assessments may be required. Phase 1 involves a physical inspection and review of historical data, while Phase 2 includes intrusive site investigations to assess the extent of contamination.

Overall, property searches are comprehensive and cover various aspects, including legal, environmental, and utility-related information, ensuring that potential buyers and lenders are well-informed about the property in question.

Conveyancing searches are a fundamental part of the property buying process, helping to identify any issues or risks that may impact a property’s value, safety, or future usability. By obtaining these reports, both buyers and lenders are better equipped to make informed decisions, minimising unexpected costs and complications after the purchase is complete.

If you’re considering buying a property and need assistance with conveyancing searches, our experienced team is here to help. Learn more about our Residential Conveyancing Services and let us guide you through the process with confidence.