What do land searches cover?

Asked by: Lily Bailey PhD  |  Last update: February 19, 2022
Score: 4.7/5 (64 votes)

'Searches' or 'property searches' are completed by your solicitor. They work with the local authority (and other organisations) as part of the home buying process. They use these to find out any information about the property. As well as any local development plans that may affect the home you plan to purchase.

What does a land search show?

It will also show the location of any public rights of way. The local search will reveal whether the property is located in Conservation area. ... This could be an issue if you are planning any future works at the property. If the property is a listed building this will be indicated on the search.

What do property searches include?

It involves getting information on any nearby planned roadworks or schemes, any property planning history, planning applications that have either been approved or refused, whether or not property development is permitted, information on public rights of way in the nearby area, whether or not the property is classed as ...

How long do searches take on a property?

Official Searches

The environmental search usually takes between 24 and 48 hours. The slowest local authority at the time of writing is Camden in Greater London, taking on average 50 working days. It is not however uncommon for searches (especially personal searches) to take 24 hours to process.

What is included in local authority searches?

What is contained in a Local Authority Search?
  • Tree preservation orders.
  • Listed buildings status.
  • Conservation areas since 1974.
  • Smoke control areas.
  • Conditional planning permissions.
  • Community Infrastructure Levy charges.
  • Article 4 Directions.
  • Financial charges registered against the property.

How To Download Land Use and Land Cover Information (LULC) Map For Any Region

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What happens when searches are complete?

Once the searches are complete, your conveyancer will examine the details of each search and send you a detailed report highlighting any potential issues you should be concerned about.

What happens after searches when buying a house?

As well as the survey, the mortgage lender will also need to see the search report. They will also confirm with the buyer's conveyancer that there is nothing of concern with the enquiries. ... The buyer will then be sent a Mortgage Deed (usually together with the contract documentation) to sign.

What happens after searches and Enquiries?

Once satisfactory replies to all enquiries and search results are received, the solicitor will send you the final contract to sign together with a contract report and supporting documents so that you can make an informed choice on whether to proceed. ... Therefore, at this point, the contract becomes legally binding.

What searches are done in conveyancing?

What searches are involved in conveyancing?
  • Local authority searches. ...
  • Land Registry searches. ...
  • Environmental searches. ...
  • Water authority searches. ...
  • Location specific searches. ...
  • Chancel repair search.

Are Enquiries raised after searches?

When are enquiries raised? Enquiries are one of the earliest steps in the conveyancing process, raised after the buyer's conveyancer receives the contract paperwork from the seller's conveyancer.

How many searches are done when buying a house?

The 3 main searches done when buying a house

Planning issues. Building control issues. Highways issues.

What is the difference between searches and surveys?

In short, a survey looks specifically at the physical condition of the house; searches will look at a broader range of planning, legal and environmental conditions surrounding the house.

How long do property searches take 2021?

How long do local searches take when buying a house in 2021? The government target for returning local searches is a maximum of 10 working days. But in reality, timescales on searches can vary significantly, from 48 hours to ten weeks!

Can I buy a property without searches?

Whilst searches are required if you are purchasing with the aid of a mortgage they are not mandatory if you are a cash purchaser, as it is your own funds that will be at risk and not a mortgage lenders…. so it is your decision. But remember lenders ask for searches for a reason- to protect their investment.

What happens after conveyancing searches?

Step 3: Securing your mortgage and house survey

Once we have received the results of the searches, a report of the property is created. Then the buyer will apply for a mortgage. It is essential that your lender is provided with all the correct, requested information.

Why are property searches important?

The role of property searches is to make sure that homebuyers have all the facts about a property before they buy it and do not find out about serious problems afterwards when it is too late.

How long do searches take when buying a house 2021 UK?

Searches usually take around 2 weeks but can take much longer if the Local Authority is overloaded. Ask the solicitor to find out how long they are going to take. If it is more than a week ask the solicitor if they can carry out personal searches which may be significantly faster.

How long is conveyancing taking at the moment?

How long do conveyancing searches take? Searches usually take around 2 weeks, but some take three weeks and others can be up to six weeks if particularly complicated the local authority in question is particularly busy.

How long does it take for solicitors to respond to Enquiries?

How long do solicitors enquiries take? The time scale depends on how responsive the involved parties are to the enquires. However, the process will usually take around 1-4 weeks.

How can I speed up the sale of my house?

Tips on speeding up your house purchase
  1. Find a 'contract ready' property to buy.
  2. Avoid being in a chain.
  3. Book your survey early.
  4. Set target dates for exchange and completion.
  5. Get your money ready for exchange.

How long does it take for a house sale to go through with no chain?

On average, it takes about ten days to sell your house with no chain. However, it can take up to 6 weeks if processing the paperwork takes time. Offering cash to a buyer will reduce how long it takes for the completion of the sale of a no-chain property.

Will my solicitor tell me when we exchange contracts?

The most common method is by telephone. Once satisfied that everything is in order and mortgage instructions from your lender have been received, your solicitor will call the seller's solicitor to exchange contracts. ... You will be notified by your solicitor of exchange.

Can local searches be fast tracked?

However, there are still many local authorities that do offer a fast track local authority option for an extra fee. Search turn around can be anything from 48 hours to six weeks, so If you are able to fast track, this might mean that the search would come back in 2 weeks instead of maybe 3 to 6.

What is no search insurance?

No search indemnity insurance policy protects out-of-court settling expenses, the adverse differences in market value, and other expenses from problems that local searches reveal before concluding a transaction. ... Typically, a loss is calculated to the value reduction or disclosed financial charge of the property.