Property Solicitor

Conveyancing Searches and Enquiries

Do you know what your property solicitor does when they say they need to do property searches and make a few enquiries? No? Well we have put a bit of information together to give you a broader outlook.

Your conveyancer will send off an application for a search of the local land charges register and enquiries of the local authority. The local land charges will reveal obligations of a public nature which are enforceable against home owners, such as tree preservation orders, compulsory purchase orders, listed building orders, smoke control and noise level orders. The enquiries give the buyer a more general view of what is going on in the area including details of such matters as roads, drains, sewers, planning, etc. Your conveyancer will explain the result of the search to you. A local search usually takes about two to four weeks to come back. If necessary, however, it can be done quickly in person but this will be more expensive.

Other important details affecting the property may be known to a wide variety or organizations and your conveyancer will have to ask them relevant questions to make sure you u know as much as possible about the place you buy. These searches may include:

• Commons and village greens, if the property is on or next to one
• Railway and Underground lines, if the property is close to one
• Subsidence: Coal Board or other mines if the property is in an area where there is or has been mining
• Water authority, if it is next to a river or lake or might be subject to flooding
• Electricity, Gas Boards, etc., if they have equipment on the land
• Public Index map, to see if the land is registrable at the Land Registry

Remember-your conveyancer is unlikely to see the property so make sure you mention anything odd or different as soon as possible. Common points to raise at this stage are listed below-if in doubt go back and have another look.

Other occupants. The Bank/Building Society will want to know whether there will be people living with you. By the same token you will have to make sure that anyone who has an interest in the house you have seen will leave before you buy it. You must get the names, therefore, of all grannies, friends, cohabitants, lodgers, etc.

• The shared driveway, alley, rear access. Who organizes and pays for its upkeep?
• The maintenance and costs of shared guttering, etc.
• Public rights of access over the land, or a neighbour?s right to use a path, etc.
• Boundaries. If they seem in poor condition find out who looks after them if possible because to clear this up now might save a lot of trouble later.

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