A conveyancing search will uncover whether the property has a history of flooding, subsidence, or contamination. The search will also include the buyers' and sellers' names, so the lender will know if there are any judgments or bankruptcies against either of you. If there are any, the lender will probably not lend the money.
There are similar searches for a business and a specific person. Still, these are not applicable for a purchase of a residential property.
Ensure to carry out a conveyancing search of your property as soon as you have agreed to buy/sell a property and put down your deposit. Conveyancing searches are mandatory if you are a first-time buyer. They are also a good idea for anyone about to buy a property for the first time for any reason. And if you're using a mortgage to buy the property.
Today, let's take a closer look at conveyancing searches and what you should know about them.
Here's what you need to know:
Are Conveyancing Searches Necessary?
The short answer to this question is yes. Conveyancing Searches are necessary if you are in the process of buying or selling a residential property.
You should also look at conveyancing searches if you want to take out a mortgage to buy a property. Still, depending on your situation, you may not need them.
You may be able to buy a home with a mortgage without a conveyancing search, but if you are a first-time buyer, definitely consider getting a search done.
A conveyancing search will tell you if there have been any problems with the property you are looking to buy. Or the person you are looking to buy the property from.
For example, if you are buying a house in an area prone to flooding, you probably want to know about it.
There are similar searches for a business and a specific person. Still, these are not applicable for a purchase of a residential property.
What Do Conveyancing Searches Cover?
A conveyancing search will uncover whether there have been any claims or judgments against the property you are interested in. In addition to this, the examinations will reveal any debt against the seller or the buyer.
If you are a first-time buyer or anyone looking to use a mortgage to finance their home purchase, a conveyancing search is necessary. You can order a conveyancing search online or use a conveyancing search agent to help you with ordering one.
Ordering a conveyancing search is a straightforward process. They are an essential part of the home buying process.
Conveyancing Searches
Local Authority Searches
A Local Authority search will also include details on any registered liens, which are special charges placed on a property to secure payment of a debt, and any outstanding local authority charges.
Again, suppose you are a first-time buyer or anyone looking to use a mortgage to finance their home purchase. In that case, you need to make sure that a local authority search has been done.
Just like a conveyancing search, a local authority search can be ordered online, or you can use a conveyancing search agent to help you with ordering one.
Environmental Searches
A property search will also include an Environmental Report, which is a report that looks for signs of contamination on the property.
Many pre-owned properties will have an Environmental Report to tell you if the property you are buying is contaminated with some hazardous material.
The Environmental Report will tell you the extent of the contamination to the property if the contamination is ongoing and what steps are necessary to mitigate the contamination.
Water Authority Searches
Water Authority Searches are known as "water search" or a "water compliance check." These searches are done to find out if the property you are looking to buy has had problems with water supply in the past.
The goal of a Water Authority Search is to find out if an individual or the property has been taken to court because they have not paid water bills. A water compliance search should be done on every property you are looking to buy, but they are not mandatory.
Land Registry Searches
These searches are done because they will find out if there are any legal charges against the property you are buying. If there are, this could be a problem for you if you are a buyer.
You have to pay for a Land Registry search, but most lenders will pay for them initially and then make you pay them back later.
You may be asked to pay for a Land Registry search if you want to buy a property, but you may not need one. For example, if you are a first-time buyer or looking to buy a property through a mortgage, you will most likely be asked to pay for a Land Registry Search.
How Long Do Conveyancing Searches Take?
Conveyancing searches are not quick. They take time to carry out, usually at least a week. This is because conveyancing searches check out all the information on a property. A comprehensive examination will include all the information on the house, recent transactions on the property, financial arrangements, future buyers, mortgage arrangements, and more.
It is a good idea to request your conveyancing search as soon as possible so you can have the report back quickly.
What Happens After a Conveyancing Search?
Whatever you do, don't buy the house or agree to sell it if you are not happy with the results of a conveyancing search.
Take your time to check the information in the search and think about what you want to do. You can always negotiate with a seller to lower the property's price if there are any problems. Depending on the issues found in the conveyancing search, you may still want to go ahead with the purchase.
Carry out a conveyancing search to determine if the property you are buying or selling is free from issues. The report from the search will give you all the necessary information you need. Make sure to take your time to read the report.
The Importance of Conveyancing Searches
Let's face it. You want to be confident that your property purchase is watertight. This is why it is vital to carry out a comprehensive conveyancing search.
When you purchase a property through a mortgage, and this is what most people do, you will need to provide the search to your lender. Your lender will only issue a mortgage once they have the search results.
The Bottom Line
Your mortgage lender will require a conveyancing search. If you are a first-time buyer, you have to make sure you do a conveyancing search if you are looking to buy a property with a mortgage. Other searches can be done, including a local authority search, environmental search, and water search.
Conveyancing searches are not hard to do. You can get a conveyancing search on your own or ask a conveyancer to do one for you.
If you need to find conveyancing quotes in the UK, we're here to help you. Conveyancing Calculator is an online residential conveyancing calculator. We use our trust and accurate conveyancing fees calculator to ensure you get the best idea of the costs you are facing. Browse through our website for more information.
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