What searches are needed if I am buying a property?

How long do conveyancing searches take?

Local Authority searches take the longest, approximately two to three weeks. All other searches are usually returned within two to three working days.

What are the main searches?

Local Authority Search

The Local Authority Search is made up of two parts: the LLC1 and the CON29. We submit both applications together with a location plan.  

Form LLC1 is a search of the local land charges register and will tell you if the property is a listed building, if it is in a conservation or smoke control zone if any trees on the property are protected by tree preservation orders.

Any future development plans that could affect your property are assessed by CON29. The results will reveal things such as new road proposals, contaminated land, building regulations, and planning permission directly affecting your property.

The Local Authority search is conducted directly on the property you plan to purchase. And does not provide information about any neighbouring land. If you have concerns about any neighbouring land, you should inform us as soon as possible so that we can raise the relevant enquiries.

Water and Drainage Search

This search reveals (amongst other things) whether a property has foul water drainage to the public sewer, surface water drainage to the public sewer, and whether the property is connected to the public water supply. If the property does not drain into a public sewer, you may be liable for the costs of maintaining the drains and sewers and for the costs of bringing them up to adoption standard if the water authority decides to adopt them.  

Environmental Search

An environmental search identifies whether the previous land use of the property creates a potential environmental risk. It considers contaminated land, ground stability, and radon amongst others.  Environmental factors might also affect your decision whether to proceed. If the property is near a landfill site or factories discharging hazardous substances, you may not want to go ahead with the purchase.

Climate Change

A Climate Change search provides a climate score for the property, projecting changes in physical and transition risks from flooding, natural ground instability and costal erosion. Provided rating indicate physical risks (loss and damage to property) and how these give rise to transition risks such as having a material impact on the ability to insure or mortgage the property in the medium to long term.

Flood Search

Flood report provides more detailed information on the issue of flooding. Even if a property is not located near a river or coast, it could still be affected by flooding whereby heavy rain fall overwhelms the drainage capacity in the area or when the sewers become blocked (sewer flooding) or when underground water levels rise above surface level (groundwater flooding). If a flood risk is identified, you should ensure that the proposed buildings insurance policy covers the risk identified.

Additional Searches

Depending on where the property is located, some additional searches may be required. Those may include mining searches if the property is in a coal mining or brine subsidence claim area. Furthermore, certain properties in certain parishes could be under an obligation to pay the cost of repairing the chancel of the parish church. In these circumstances, insurance can be obtained for potential liability if there is a risk of being bound by a Chancel repair.

Our Johnson Astills Conveyancing Team in Leicester and Loughborough are happy to assist if you are buying or selling a house.

If you require assistance or further information, please contact our Johnson Astills Conveyancing Team on 0116 255 4855 (Leicester) or 01509 610 312 (Loughborough).