What are conveyancing searches and why are they important?
When we guide our clients through the conveyancing process we often get asked this question, especially when we are waiting to hear the results of these searches!
So, we thought it would be a good idea to put together a quick blog post all about conveyancing or property searches and why they are an essential part of the conveyancing process, helping to protect you as a buyer!
So read on for your basic guide to conveyancing searches!
Conveyancing Searches – The Basics
Conveyancing searches are an important part of the due diligence process we go through on behalf of our clients looking to buy property. They help protect your investment by highlighting any unforeseen potential issues with your property and features that your property has that could affect your experience at the property.
There are a number of different types of searches so we will start with the most common types which are required by mortgage lenders in the UK.
1. Local Authority Search
This important search involves investigating local records, including local land charges and any past planning permission applications or restrictions. It can highlight a number of important property features, such as if it is a listed building, is part of a conservation area which may affect your ability to amend the property in future.
It can also let you how about any traffic schemes adjacent to your property or existing parking arrangements.
2. Enviromental Search
This search focuses on the local environment around the property you are buying – this can highlight flood risks, contaminated or polluted land, and the risk of subsidence or land sliding.
3. Water and Drainage Search
Water and drainage searches revolve around the property’s water supply, this includes not only drinking water considerations but also how the building’s drains interact with the local sewage system. This search confirms how the property is connected to public drains or sewers. This can help ensure your property will not be adversely affected by flooding, leaks or dampness caused by public waterways.
4. Coal mining Search
If you are looking to buy a property in an area that has previously been the site of a mine or a quarry, a mining search is considered essential by lenders. This more specialised search determines whether the property is at risk of subsidence due to this past activity due to unstable ground or other geological factors.
The importance of searches
Put together, these searches help give you a fuller picture of the property you are buying, helping you move forward with your purchase and be fully informed of the overall status of your property within its local environment.
The searches we highlight in this blog are typically a mandatory aspect of mortgage offers, meaning that your lender will insist that these searches are carried out to protect their financial interest in your future property.
To learn more about more specialised searches that may be recommended for your property, along with more tailored advice for a property that you are looking to buy, please contact our conveyancing team on 01905 721600. Offices in Worcester, Droitwich and Evesham.