Searches

Searches are investigations carried out as part of the conveyancing process to check for proposed plans or problems within the local area that you should know about.

A Local Authority Search is against your property only and will tell you little about adjoining properties. It will not for example tell you if the building next to you has planning permission. What it will show you is if there are any outstanding financial charges against the property you are hoping to buy if there are likely to be any road improvements within 200 metres of your home if there are any tree preservation orders affecting the property and if the home is in a conservation area or is a listed building.

This search should also reveal if planning permission was not granted for an extension or a conservatory. You may apply for retrospective planning permission any cost and it will cost should be borne by the seller.

An environmental report on the area will show if there are any landfill sites evidence of contamination or previous industrial usage that could affect your property. It will also show if your home is in a flood plain or at risk from subsidence. 

Other searches may also be required depending on the area. In some counties a search on underground workings may be needed - in Cornwall for old tin workings in many parts of the country for coal mining and in Greater London to make sure your future garden doesnt suddenly become part of the Underground railway.

Enquiries to the sellers Solicitor by your representative solicitor or conveyancer should also show up among other issues

• whether there are any disputes relating to the property.
• what the boundaries of the property are and who has responsibilty for the maintenance of hedges and fences.
• whether there is any right of way or footpath through the property and what shared rights of access with a neighbour such as a garden or driveway there may be.
• whether the deeds specify that certain things are forbidden for example keeping pets or specifying that the house may not be painted a different colour from other houses on the street.

Moneyextra.com recommends you take independent financial advice before acting on any article

2009-02-17 00:00:00 © Moneyextra.com