Property searches meaning
Property searches are enquiries your conveyancer makes to public bodies and data providers about a property in England. The standard set covers local authority matters, drainage and water, and environmental risk, revealing planning history, road adoption, flood risk and contaminated land that a viewing cannot show.
Property searches is one of the terms you are likely to meet when buying or selling a home in England. Here is what it means in plain English, and where it fits into your move.
What they cost and who pays
The buyer pays, usually up front, and a standard pack in England typically costs a few hundred pounds. Fees are generally not recoverable if the purchase falls through.
Key takeaway
Property searches are enquiries your conveyancer makes to public bodies and data providers about a property in England. The standard set covers local authority matters, drainage and water, and environmental risk, revealing planning history, road adoption, flood risk and contaminated land that a viewing cannot show.
Frequently asked questions
Are property searches compulsory?
They are not a legal requirement, but mortgage lenders normally insist on them. Cash buyers can decline searches, accepting the risk of an unknown planning or environmental issue.
Stage tracker
MyMoveMate prompts you to confirm searches are ordered and suggests what to ask about the results.
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