Less searches cost more

Buyers are subject to the legal principle of ‘buyer beware’. This means you can only ask the vendor to pay for defects you find before you buy. Afterwards, it’s too late as you are then responsible for those defects, potentially costing you tens of hundreds, if not tens of thousands of pounds.

So which out of the 35 searches on the market do you order?

It can be confusing; that’s where an expert conveyancer should help. It’s your choice, but don’t be persuaded to scrimp on buying just the two basic searches, because this risks you missing defects you could have found in a full pack. Ask your conveyancer about a five-pack search bundle. Most good specialists offer this and most at a discount to help you move.

FAQs

Why are five searches overall cheaper & safer?

Why is the 5 pack search bundle overall cheaper, safer and faster

Because buying the 5-pack upfront will save weeks, if not months of delay, later. That’s because: it can take months to receive the search pack from the search providers once ordered. The later you order, the later the searches will arrive. The more your purchase is delayed, the more pressure on you, for example, from the chain. The bigger the delay, the more risk failing to complete.

Because a bundle upfront gets you:

– A bundle discount up-front on the 5-pack, which you can’t get later.

– A free block indemnity insurance policy covers certain defects found in the searches. That alone could cost you up to £800, but we’ll include this for free at the start.

– Plus, you get an extra set of searches worth £437.37 if your first purchase falls through.

– And, of course, the most crucial cost benefit is to allow you to find more potential defects in a 5 -the pack set of searches than just in two. Of course, those defects you find before completion you can ask the vendor to fix and pay for or ask for a reduction in price. This defects you don’t find until after you buy are all down to you to pay for

The choice is entirely yours; just remember the two basic are the minimal mandated out of the 35, and the 5-pack is taken out by 99% of all clients as they are safer, cost-effective and fast.

Searches you must order?

The two most basic conveyancing searches you must order are:

1/ Local Authority search

2/ Water and Drainage search

What other searches should you order?

3/ Environmental search

4/. Chancel liability search

5/. Flood search

Here’s a list of some of the 35 more common searches

Agricultural search: A search for information on land use, restrictions, and environmental issues related to agricultural activities.

Brine search: A search for information on the presence of brine (saltwater) in the area, which can cause subsidence and property damage.

Chancel search: A search for the risk that the property owner is liable to contribute to pay for the cost of church repairs in the area.

Cheshire Salt Search: A search for Cheshire Salt in partnership with the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board.

Climate Search: A search for information on the potential impact of climate change on the property, including flood and erosion risks.

Coal search: A search for information on the presence of coal mining activities in the area and associated risks, such as subsidence and ground stability.

Commons land search: A search for information on the status and ownership of common land in the area, which may affect access and use of the property.

Dev Assess search: A search for information on planned or proposed developments in the area, which may affect the value or use of the property.

Disadvantaged Areas Search Relief: A search for information on any potential benefits or tax relief available to the property owner due to the property being in a disadvantaged area.

Energy and Infrastructure: A search for information on existing and proposed energy and transportation infrastructure in the area.

Energy and Transportation search: A search for information on existing and planned energy and transport infrastructure in the area.

Environmental / Contamination search: A search for information on any contamination risks to the property and land, including from nearby landfill sites, historical or current industrial land use, and other sources.

Flood search: A search for information on the risk of flooding to the property from all significant flood sources, including surface water.

Geo Risk and Geology: A search for information on ground stability, geology, and other geological risks that may affect the property.

Ground stability search: A search for information on ground stability and subsidence risks that may affect the property.

High-Speed Rail 2 (HS2) search: A search for information on the impact of the proposed HS2 high-speed railway line on the property.

Hydrology Search: A search for information on water resources and hydrological risks that may affect the property.

Know your location Search: A search for general information on the area surrounding the property, including amenities, schools, and other key features.

Local Authority search: A search for information on planning and building regulations, road adoption, nearby roadwork or railway schemes, and whether the property is listed or in a conservation area.

LiDAR Data Search: A search that uses lasers to measure distances between a survey aircraft and the ground, providing detailed topographical information on the property and surrounding area.

Mining search: A search for information on mining activities in the area and associated risks, such as subsidence and ground stability.

Mining Risk Assessment: A search for information on mining-related ground instability that may impact the value or use of the property.

Underground railways search: A search for information on the impact of underground railway lines on the property.

Utility Search Report: A search for information on utility services, including gas, electricity, and water, that may affect the property.

UXO Search: A search for information on the potential risks from unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the area.

Planning search: A search for information on the planning history of the property and surrounding area, highlighting likely planning and development changes.

Planview: A search for detailed planning application information, including likely planning and development changes within the vicinity of the property, information not commonly included in the standard suite of searches.

Metalliferous Mining Search: A search for any risks associated with historical mining activity on or near the property, including risks of subsidence and ground instability.

Neighbourhood data: This search provides information about the local area, such as demographics, crime rates, schools, and local amenities, which can be useful for prospective buyers or tenants.

Radon Search: A search for the presence of radon gas, which is naturally occurring and can pose a health risk in high concentrations. This search will identify any areas with high radon levels, allowing buyers to take appropriate precautions.

Siteguard Search: This search provides a detailed assessment of lending security, helping lenders make informed decisions about the level of risk associated with a property.

Stone Mining Search: A search for any risks associated with historical stone mining activity on or near the property, including risks of subsidence and ground instability.

Subsidence Search: A search for any risks of subsidence or ground instability associated with the property, which can have a significant impact on its value and safety.

Waste and Pollution Search: This search assesses the risk of any waste or pollution affecting the property, such as contamination from nearby landfill sites or industrial activity.

Water and Drainage Search: This search provides information about the property’s water and drainage connections, including whether it is connected to the main water supply and public sewer, and the location of water mains. This can be important for buyers planning renovations or extensions.