When you’re in the process of buying a house, you’ll come across various terms and procedures that may seem unfamiliar. One of these is “conveyancing searches” or “property searches”. In this guide, we’ll demystify what searches are and why they’re necessary.
Is It Necessary to Have Searches When Buying a House?
Yes, it’s highly advisable to conduct conveyancing searches when buying a house. Conveyancing searches are an integral part of the property purchase process in the UK. They provide vital information about the property and the surrounding area, helping you make an informed decision and avoid potential pitfalls.
What Searches Are Required for Conveyancing?
Several types of searches are commonly performed during the conveyancing process:
- Local Authority Search: This search reveals essential information about the property’s local area, including planning permissions, building regulations, and potential developments that might affect the property.
- Environmental Search: It assesses the property’s environmental risk, including factors like contamination and flood risk, which could impact its value and your safety.
- Water and Drainage Search: This search verifies the property’s connection to the water supply and sewerage system, ensuring you won’t encounter unexpected drainage issues.
- Chancel Repair Search: It determines whether the property is liable for chancel repair costs to maintain the local church. This may seem historical, but it’s still relevant.
- Land Registry Search: This search confirms the legal owner of the property and provides details about any existing mortgages or charges on the property.
What Is the Difference Between Conveyancing and Searches?
Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring property ownership from the seller to the buyer. It involves various tasks, including contract drafting, negotiation, and ensuring all legal requirements are met. Searches, on the other hand, are specific investigations into the property and its surroundings to uncover any potential issues or risks.
While conveyancing is a broader process that encompasses legalities and negotiations, searches focus on gathering crucial information about the property’s condition and its suitability for purchase.
Simplify Your Conveyancing with Conveyo
Conducting conveyancing searches can be a time-consuming and paperwork-intensive task. However, Conveyo can simplify the process. This platform provide searches upon request, making buying and selling houses easier, faster and more certain. By using Conveyo, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient conveyancing experience.