Searches When Buying a House

When you're ready to purchase a home, there's a great deal more to the process than simply finding a property you love and making an offer. In fact, one of the most crucial stages in the home buying process involves conducting a series of vital searches. But what are these searches when buying a home, and why are they so important?

This insight delves into the intricacies of what are the 3 main searches when buying a house? and why they are an essential part of your property purchase journey.

Key Takeaways

• The main searches when buying a house are local authority searches, environmental searches, and water and drainage searches. These searches are generally considered essential during the property purchase process.
• Local authority searches involve enquiries made to the local council to reveal any information that may affect the property or its surrounding area, such as planning permissions, building control issues, and responsibilities for maintaining roads and paths.
• Environmental searches examine the environmental risks associated with the property, including contamination, flood risks, and other environmental factors that could impact the property's value or desirability.
• Water and drainage searches provide information about the property's water supply, drainage connections, and ownership or responsibility for maintaining the sewers, drains, and pipes. It also reveals the presence of public drains within the property.

Searches When Buying a House

While there may be additional searches recommended based on the specific location or circumstances of your property, there are searches that are generally considered essential when purchasing a property. These include:

Local Authority Search

The first, and arguably most critical, is the Local Authority Search. This search involves enquiries made to the local council to reveal any information that may affect the property or its surrounding area. This can include details about planning permissions, building control issues, highways, pollution, and responsibilities for maintaining adjoining roads and paths.

Environmental Search

The second key search is the Environmental Search. This examines the environmental risks related to the property. It can reveal if the property is built on contaminated land, if it's in an area at risk of flooding, and whether there are any other environmental factors that could impact the property's value or desirability.

Water and Drainage Search

The third essential search is the Water and Drainage Search. This is conducted with the local water authority and reveals if the property is connected to a public water supply and sewer, who owns and is responsible for maintaining the sewers, drains, and pipes, and whether there are any public drains within the property.

Other Searches When Buying a House:

Chancel Repair Liability Search

A Chancel Search determines if the property is subject to an ancient liability to contribute towards the repair of the local parish church.

Mining and Subsidence Search

The Mining and subsidence search Identifies if the property is located in an area affected by mining activities or prone to subsidence.

Flood Risk Search

The flood risk search assesses the property's risk of flooding and the potential impact on insurance premiums and resale value.

Energy and Infrastructure Search

Reveals information about nearby energy infrastructure, such as wind farms or power lines, and potential impact on the property.

Radon Gas Search

Determines the presence of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, and the associated health risks.

Planning and Building Regulations Search

Provides details on planning applications, building regulations consent, and any major works carried out on the property.

Land Registry Search

Confirms the legal ownership of the property and checks for any restrictions, charges, or rights affecting the property.

Bankruptcy Search

Checks if the seller or any related parties are bankrupt, which could impact the property transaction.

Coal Mining Search

Determines if the property is located in an area affected by coal mining activities and potential subsidence risks.

Common Land and Village Green Search

Identifies if any part of the property is registered as common land or a village green, which may limit usage or development.

Rights of Way and Easements Search

Checks for any rights of way, access, or easements affecting the property.

Telecoms and Mobile Phone Mast Search

Determines if there are any telecommunication installations or mobile phone masts near the property.

Contaminated Land Search

Assesses the risk of contamination from previous or current land uses.

Heritage Search

Identifies if the property is located in a conservation area, near a listed building, or has any heritage-related restrictions.

Japanese Knotweed Search

Determines the presence of Japanese knotweed, an invasive plant species that can cause damage to buildings.

Ground Stability Search

Checks for geological factors that may impact the stability of the property, such as subsidence, landslides, or sinkholes.

The specific searches conducted during conveyancing may vary depending on the location, property type, and individual circumstances. It's important to consult with a conveyancer or solicitor to determine the appropriate searches for your property purchase.

Why Are Searches Important When Buying a House?

The purchase of a property represents a significant financial investment, possibly the most substantial one you'll make in your lifetime. Therefore, it's vitally important to be as informed as possible about the property before finalising the purchase. This is where property searches come into play.

Property searches serve a dual purpose. They not only provide valuable insight into potential issues that may affect the property's value, but they also satisfy lenders' requirements for transparency and risk management. The importance of these searches cannot be overstated, as they can reveal hidden issues that could lead to significant financial and legal complications down the line.

What Are the 3 Main Searches When Buying a House?

Let's delve deeper into what each of the 3 main searches can reveal.

Local Authority Search

The local authority search is particularly important as it can uncover any planning or building issues related to the property. This can include:

• Planning permissions: If any planning permission applications have been made for the property, this search will reveal them. This can provide insight into any potential changes that may affect the property or its surroundings in the future.
• Building regulations consent: If any major works have been carried out on the property, this search can confirm whether the necessary consents have been obtained. This is crucial to avoid potential enforcement action from the local authority.
• Maintenance of roads: The search can reveal who is responsible for maintaining any adjoining roads or paths. This can have an impact on future property maintenance costs.

Environmental Search

The environmental search is crucial for assessing potential environmental risks associated with the property. This can include:

• Contaminated land: If the property is built on contaminated land, this search will reveal it. This is especially important for properties built on former industrial sites where hazardous substances may remain in the ground.
• Flood risks: This search can reveal if the property is in an area at risk of flooding. This is vital information, as flood risks can significantly impact property insurance premiums and the property's resale value.

Water and Drainage Search

The water and drainage search provides valuable information about the property's water and drainage connections. This can include:

• Water supply: The search can confirm whether the property is connected to a public water supply.
• Drainage: It will also reveal whether the property has proper drainage for surface water and whether the sewers and drains serving the property are maintained by the water authority.
• Public drains: If there are any public drains within the property, this search will reveal them. This is crucial information for future property development, as additional consents may be required.

How Long Do These Searches Take?

The time it takes to conduct these searches can vary significantly depending on various factors, including the location of the property, the specific searches being conducted, and the responsiveness of the respective authorities.

In general, you can expect these searches to take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. While these searches may seem time-consuming, they are a crucial step in ensuring you have all the necessary information to make an informed decision about your property purchase.

Final Thoughts: The searches are to protect you

Purchasing a property is a significant financial commitment, and it's essential to ensure you have all the relevant information before making your decision. Understanding the searches when buying a house allows you to be informed about potential issues that could affect your property's value or your enjoyment of it. By conducting these thorough investigations, you can proceed with your property purchase with confidence and peace of mind.