BUYING A NEW HOME - Compulsory searches

As part of our service, we currently include the searches which are deemed compulsory when you are taking out a mortgage.

There are other searches available, which may be advisable to commission in certain areas - after all the purchase of your property will most likely be one of the biggest purchases you ever make.  For further information see our factsheet BUYING A NEW HOME - Guide to optional searches

Local Authority Search

The ‘Local Search’ as it is commonly known, is an enquiry form, which is sent to the Local Authority. This can take from two to three weeks to be returned from the Council, with all the appropriate information. The Local Search reveals, for example, details of the planning history for the property, if the Council is aware of any proposals for new roads or traffic schemes, or if the Council maintains the roads to the property.

Mining Report

This report details any mining activity whether past, present, or future, which would affect the property and, details any mining subsidence claims that may have been made against the property.

Environmental Search

This reveals, amongst other matters, if there are any landfill or waste disposal sites in the area, or, if the property has been built on an old industrial site or indeed, whether there are any risks from contaminated land, toxic emissions, flooding, subsidence to the property.

Drainage search

The drainage search will confirm whether surface water and drainage from the property drains into to a public sewer.  It also assists us in checking the title so we can ensure all the necessary drainage easements are in place and also to ensure all the necessary agreements are obtained where the property is newly constructed or where a public sewer has been built over.  The search also provides a copy extract from the public sewer map which may be useful if you are considering extending your property so you can obtain the necessary consents before incurring the costs of building.

Land Registry Search

This is carried out just before completion in order to find out if there are new mortgages registered against the property that have not previously been disclosed. If there are then the buyer’s solicitor will obviously require confirmation that these will be repaid before completion takes place.

Land Charges Search

If you are obtaining a mortgage the lender will ask us to carry out a search to make sure that are you are not bankrupt! Quite often this search will show an entry against someone else with a similar name. If this is the case, you will be asked to sign a copy of the result to confirm that it does not relate to you.

Return to list of factsheets.