Anyone know the difference between a HIP local search and a Council local search?

donnaessex

Hi guys,

We are in the process of moving :eek: and got the first draft contract through for our purchase yesterday.

The solicitor has asked if we would like to apply for a local council search at a cost of £110. He said we dont have to, but he would advise it because the HIP search isnt as thorough.

Is there anyone here who can tell me if a local search is worth it?

keystone

donnaessex wrote: »

Hi guys,

We are in the process of moving :eek: and got the first draft contract through for our purchase yesterday.

The solicitor has asked if we would like to apply for a local council search at a cost of £110. He said we dont have to, but he would advise it because the HIP search isnt as thorough.

Is there anyone here who can tell me if a local search is worth it?

Why don't you ask him to justify his assertation as what he has said so far is, frankly, insufficient and he should clearly explain to you why he thinks that a HIP search isn't thorough. Bear in mind that local authority seaches used to be carried out as a matter of course by your conveyancing solicitor as part of their work. The introduction of the HIP has effectively deprived them of that element of their income so I'd be a bit suspicious of the claim without some further information from him.

HTH

Cheers

donnaessex

keystone wrote: »

Why don't you ask him to justify his assertation as what he has said so far is, frankly, insufficient and he should clearly explain to you why he thinks that a HIP search isn't thorough. Bear in mind that local authority seaches used to be carried out as a matter of course by your conveyancing solicitor as part of their work. The introduction of the HIP has effectively deprived them of that element of their income so I'd be a bit suspicious of the claim without some further information from him.

HTH

Cheers

Thanks Keystone. To be honest thats exactly what I thought too. I presumed that was exactly why the HIP search is needed - to cut the cost of buying property nowadays (I got stung 10 years ago as a FTB when a vendor pulled out on day of exchange leaving me £800 down grrrr).

I'm just going to say that I'm happy to rely on the search in the HIP.

Thanks again. :beer:

G_M

If the HIP provider did a 'personal search' at the council, which is cheaper than a full search, then it will not be as comprehensive. See example here.
I believe, though, that HIP providers are no longer allowed to use personal searches, though I'm ready to be corrected on this.

The search in the HIP may also be quite old depending how long the property has been on the market, so may need repeating.

Discuss with your solicitor.

WestonDave

G_M is correct - its no skin off the solicitors nose as they simply pass on the cost they are charged and make nothing on it (there are strict rules about listing things as disbursements for more than they actually cost). The council search will be done by council staff who know the area and all the relevant background, HIP searches are often done in person by someone who simply goes into the council offices and does the search themself, and while they will probably pick up the relevant information from the file, they won't necessarily add additional backgound especially if they are from out of the area (which is quite often the case).