Local Authority Search

elpko

Afternoon all,

I am currently in the process of buying a house and I am hoping that someone can shed some light on a question I have with regard to local authority searches.

My solicitors have informed me that local authority searches are only good for 6 months before a new one has to be conducted and the existing one in the HIP has ‘expired’. Fair enough, I can understand that they have to be kept up to date.

I was a bit confused when I was told that I would have to foot the bill for the new search? If the local authority search is part of the HIP shouldn’t the current owners of the house be responsible for paying for a new one?

Thanks for any comments

Phil

zone

Perhaps it would be up to you if you want an up to date one done. The vendors may be under no obligation to have this done every 6 months. I'm not sure on this.

Richard_Webster

In theory you can try to get the sellers to pay for a new search - depends on how desperate they are.

Cheaper, and acceptable to most lenders is a Local Search Validation Policy which pays out if something adverse would have shown up on a search made between the actual search date and completion of your purchase (provided no longer than 12 months) which would devalue the property.

david29dpo

It is certainly worth asking your solicitor to ask the vendor to pay for a new search but they dont have to update the HIP. As said above, the vendor may be happy to to keep a sale! I have known buyers to refuse to pay for updated searches if the HIP is over 6 months old and all vendors have paid.