Property searches are ordered through your solicitor or SAM, and the searches are ordered from the local authority, water board, environment agency and other bodies to provide critical information about your property. Typical information includes if the property has planning permission and building regulation certificates if it is in a high-risk flood area or if it is built on or near contaminated land.
Order your conveyancing searches when you instruct your solicitor for a fast purchase, or if you wait, make sure you order them no later than when you order your mortgage valuation, as your conveyancing searches can take 3 weeks or more to come back from the local authority.
Property searches are mandatory if you’re buying with a mortgage, but cash buyers should also obtain them so they know of any issues affecting the property, especially if, in the future, they want to sell to anyone who intends to buy the home with a mortgage.
Property searches can take weeks to come back from the council and the other providers, so make sure you order them when you instruct your solicitor or, at the latest, when you book your mortgage valuation.
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