The Property Search Experts For You
When buying a property it is important to ensure that all of the relevant searches are carried out prior to purchase so that any important issues that may affect the value or security of your property may be identified.
Why Are Property Searches Needed?
Certain areas require specific searches depending on the location of the property. For example, in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire there are several searches that must be done, including mining and Cheshire Brine reports – due to the industrial history in the area which has caused damage to some properties.
There are a number of different searches that your solicitor can carry out, and they may well uncover potentially costly issues which you might otherwise have been unaware of.
Those issues might be as simple as making you aware of protected trees in the garden, a flooding risk or the fact that a developer has plans to build 90 new homes on the land behind the property.
Your mortgage provider (if applicable) will want to ensure that their interest in the property is protected and will require searches to be carried out. These searches are listed as “Search Pack” and will appear in your legal fees breakdown.
What Property Searches Do We Provide?
The Tinsdills Property Buying & Selling team will be able to explain each of the searches in more detail for you; below is a summary of the searches we provide to our clients when purchasing a property:
Land Registry
The Land Registry maintains the registers of ‘title’ to freehold and leasehold land in England and Wales, in other words who owns or leases land or property. Registering your property is the best way to safeguard its ownership – we can make an application for registration of your property’s title to the land registry on your behalf. If you have any issues with your title deeds we can make the necessary application to the Land Registry to resolve them, even if your deeds have been lost.
Local Searches
These searches are not physical surveys of the property, but instead based on data available. Local searches will be used to identify for example footpaths adjoining the property are publicly maintained or if there are plans for a new road bypass in the immediate vicinity of the property. There may be outstanding planning applications on the property or it could be situated in a conservation area.
Drainage Search
Drainage Searches will help define if there is suitable drainage at the property and also potentially where the major pipes for that drainage are situated on the property.
Mining Search
Mining searches will advise you if the property is in a former coal mining area and the distance from the coal mines, as well as if there are any issues on emissions or other hazards linked with a historic mine.
What Our Clients Say
Our clients have plenty of kind words to share after working with us. Here are just a few.
“Our solicitor has been fantastic from start to finish. This is the 3rd time we have used you for the sale/purchase of properties, and you haven’t let us down yet. You are always straight forward and delivers what they say they will.”
Meet Our Specialist Property Buying & Selling Team
Andrew Burrows
Kelly Myatt
Michelle Hansell
Contact Us To Discuss The Necessary Property Searches
Do you want advice on Property Searches? Or perhaps you are simply looking for more information on the necessary searches? We have all of that information and more.
Contact us today and we will guide you through the entire process using our seasoned experts and years worth of knowledge in the area.
Contact us or today or visit a local branch
Hanley: 01782 956123
Newcastle: 01782 956123
Sandbach: 01270 449106
Leek: 01538 710247
Latest News
Read our dedicated blog section for all the latest and greatest from the world of Tinsdills.
Law Society Guidance on the Impact of Climate Change on Solicitors
In a recent ground-breaking release the Law Society, the professional body of Solicitors in England and Wales, issued their first... read more
The Tempest – Environmental Searches
The latest revision of the play of that name dwells on the man made nature of the Tempest and how... read more
Residential Landlords – Did you know the rules on EPC’s are changing?
As a Landlord, there are certain requirements regarding a Property’s Energy Performance certificate (EPC), which must be adhered to before... read more
If you pay ground rent to Estate & Management Ltd, you should read this!
There can be many issues with the legal aspects of leasehold properties, and one recent proposal will go some way... read more
Top Tips for a Swift Property Sale Process
Buying and selling houses is stressful. The rules and procedures when buying and selling houses are complicated and can often become... read more
Solar Panels and “Rent a Roof”
According to government information, nearly 1,000,000 properties have solar panels and, with the cost-of-living crisis and international events leading to... read more
When does a residential transaction become commercial?
Kelly Myatt, Director and solicitor specialising in residential, commercial and agricultural transactions is often asked to deal with “in-between” jobs. These... read more
Don’t be shy! A guide for house purchasers
We have all done it, there is that moment when you step into a house and think “this is the... read more
Registered vs Unregistered Land: An Explanation
What is Registered Land? Properties kept on record by the Land Registry. What is Unregistered Land? A property with no details... read more
A Guide To: Title Indemnity Policies
Title Indemnity Policies (also known as defective title cover or legal indemnity cover) are often used during the conveyancing process... read more
Transfer of Equity: The Basics
Photo: [Pattanaphong Khaunkaew] © 123RF.com Equity is the legal term for the amount of money you have in your property, being... read more
House Boundaries: Everyone owns the one to the left, right?
A: There is no set rule as to which boundaries belong to a property. It is possible that your property... read more
The Most Popular Questions For Property Searches
The standard searches we carry out are a local authority search,
drainage search and environmental search.
In addition if the property is located within a previous coal mining area, a coal
mining search is also carried out. Similarly if the property is
situated within an area that is at a particular risk your solicitor will
advise if further searches are required.
We also offer additional searches (as listed in client care letter).
This depends upon the area within which the property is situated.
The standard searches listed above generally cost in the region of
£300.
Search results will alert you to any potential issues with the
property. The reason searches are carried out is to identify any
adverse issues which may affect the property, your occupation or
the lenders security before you commit to buying. If you are
having mortgage funding your lender will insist that searches are
carried out.