Searches

Local Search Package

We offer a local search package: this includes a local search, a water and drainage search, and an environmental search. The cost of this varies depending on the Local Authority’s charges, but we can provide you with an estimate before carrying out the searches. All of these searches are required by most mortgage companies. Please see below for more detailed information about the various searches available.

Local Search

This is a search made in the registers of the local council, and it deals with matters such as roads, planning matters and public footpaths. This search is mandatory if you are taking out a mortgage.

Water and Drainage Search

This search (carried out against the local water authority) will confirm that the property is connected to mains water and drainage. It will provide a plan showing the route of the mains water pipes and sewers serving the property. It may be that a length of private sewers and a network of drains run from the property to connect to the mains. Under these circumstances, we must warn you that if there is any maintenance or repair work to the pipe running between the property and the mains, the expense of repair and maintenance is borne by the owners of the properties using the pipe, and not necessarily by any water authority. It may be possible to make a search of the water authority to ascertain whether there are any private pipes to the property, but such searches may be costly and take several weeks to be completed. Please let us know if you would like us to carry out such a search.

Environmental Search

This is a search identifying environmental risks such as flooding, contaminated land, radon and subsidence. A copy will be provided when we report to you. However, we are not environmental experts; you should seek expert advice on any issues which concern you in the environmental search result. Further searches for specific risks such as flooding or ground stability can also be carried out – you should please let us know if you require these, as they will not be done automatically.

Radon

Homes in the south west of England may be affected by radon gas. Although this does not normally affect properties in Somerset, it can concern purchasers. It is possible to test radon levels in a property, but the measurements usually take some considerable time. Further information is available from UK Radon (see useful links page).

Chancel Repair Search

Following on from recent case law and the implementation of the Land Registration Act 2002, chancel repair liability has gained a higher profile. Chancel repair liability means that a property owner has to contribute towards the cost of repairing the chancel of a church where the property falls within the historic parish boundaries of that church. The case of Aston Cantlow v Wallbank resulted in a single property owner being found liable for over £96,000 of repair costs. At present, chancel repair liability is an ‘overriding interest’; this means that it can bind a property even if no mention of it is made on the title deeds. However, the Land Registration Act 2002 provides that from October 2013, if the liability is not noted on the title to a property, the church cannot make a claim against the owners of that property. It is believed, therefore, that the Church of England is more likely to be proactive in registering its interest on property titles for the next few years. A chancel repair search is a search (based on postcode) to see whether the property is in an area likely to be affected by the liability. We are now including this basic search in our standard search package. If the result is positive, then an insurance policy can be taken out to cover the potential liability. This is the quickest and cheapest way of dealing with this issue. A full chancel repair search in the Church of England’s Records of Ascertainment can be made, but this costs approximately £150 and can take 3 to 4 weeks. It may also run the risk of putting the church in question on notice that they can claim against the property.

Commons Registry Search

This is a search with the Local Commons Register (usually the County Council) to see if land is registered as common land. If you consider that there is any risk that any part of the property you are interested in buying could be common land, or if access to that property appears to be over common land, please let us know, and we will carry out this search for you.

Company Search

This is a search made at Companies House against either a seller or a management company to make sure that it has not been wound up or is in liquidation, and also to find out whether there are any mortgages registered against the name of that company which could affect the property you wish to buy. We will automatically carry this search out in circumstances where it would be required; for instance, if you are buying from a company, or if a management company is involved in the running of a block of flats or common land.

Mining Searches

Occasionally it may be necessary to carry out a mining search. There are certain areas in England and Wales which used to be heavily mined, either for coal, tin or brine. The majority of these areas are Cornwall, Bristol and South Wales, although other areas are affected. If the property you wish to buy is in an area affected by any type of mining, we will automatically carry out the necessary search, as any mortgage company you are using will require this. The search result will advise whether the property is likely to be affected by subsidence or other matters resulting from mine shafts below the ground. We will then advise you accordingly.

Call our Conveyancing team on 0845 1300391 or fill out our online form for you free quotation