Key takeaways
The three main property searches are local authority, water and drainage, and environmental searches
Most mortgage lenders require searches to be less than 3 months old
Additional specialist searches may be needed for areas with mining history or planned developments
Property searches typically take 6-8 weeks to complete, depending on the local authority
Property searches are essential checks performed by your conveyancer before you purchase a property.
Searches examine the history of the property, environmental factors, and enquire about any outstanding plans for development in the surrounding areas.
Read on to learn more about why conveyancers need to undertake property searches.
Before you commit to buying a property by exchanging contracts, you need to know as much as possible about it - especially if there is anything that could affect its future value, or your enjoyment of it.
That's why your conveyancer will recommend that property searches are undertaken. And if you are taking out a mortgage on the property, then it’s likely that your mortgage provider will require detailed property searches to be carried out, before agreeing to the mortgage.
Without searches, you could end up as the owner of a property which floods, or has debt attached to it that you will become responsible for. Searches will help to make sure that you don’t have a property that is difficult to insure, that you’ve paid too much for, or is unsaleable in the future.