How long does a search take when selling/buying a house. and what is a search?

Question

We are selling our house and this is the first time we are going through the process and everybody tells a different story. so what is a search?

Answer 1

It is something the BUYER has their Solicitor do.

It's a check, with the Local Authorities to ensure no adverse developments are about to take place - for example, Council plans to turn your garden into a kids play area, car park, shopping centre ...

The search extends to checking for Planning applications by the neighbours etc. since this might effect the value of the property (for example, if they have permission to add an extra floor blocking out your light).

These days I expect it extends to checking that any required planning permissions for extensions made to your property have been properly granted.

Answer 2

The search is a quick check through local council records to see if there is anything happening with the land, or near to to the land, which might affect your decision to buy.

The search could discover that a business wants to compulsary purchase the land in a years time, or it'sa bout to be bulldozed for a motorway.

The search is the buyer's problem, not the seller - but when Sellers Packs come in next month that all changes.

You can do a search yourself at the council offices (it would take you a day), but unless you're a pro at all this you're better off letting the solicitor do it all. Most farm it out to private companies.

Mine have always been done within a week, but I do have a good solicitor.

Answer 3

Searches will include information on:

planning
utilities
mining reports
highway
flood
building regs
title

The time it takes depends on the local authority and availablity of the information. For example i have applied and received searches within 3 days but some LA's are still taking up to 6 weeks!

At the moment buyers apply for searches but from June 1st sellers will have to apply for searches as part of Home Information Packs.