solicitor needs deeds before starting searches?

bs0u0128

our solicitor cannot start searches until she receives a plan (?) and deeds from the vendors side

any idea how long this can take?

bs0u0128

bumpydumpy

chicarg

We are exactly in the same position with our sols waiting for the deeds since they need the property plans to instruct the searches...

We have been advised it takes 2 weeks for the vendors sols to receive them and then whatever it takes for them to forward them to your solicitor... hopefully your vendor sol has already requested them?

chivers1977

The above poster is right. If the lender gets the deeds bundle out speedily then it could be a bit quicker. They obviously don't know the title number yet...

Bossyboots

They could do an index map search which is cheap and quick, certainly much quicker than waiting for the deeds.

Julysea

Took our sol about 4 or 5 weeks to get the deeds form our vendor's sol, but it seems that our vendor's sols are particularly crap.

Debt_Free_Chick

chicarg wrote:

We are exactly in the same position with our sols waiting for the deeds since they need the property plans to instruct the searches...

Duh There are no "property plans" attached to the deeds ... unless you mean the title plan that marks the property covered by the deed. If so, the solicitor (or the buyer) can get this instantly from the Land Registry, if the property has been electronically registered.

You only need to know the postcode to find out if the property is on the electronic register. If it is, you get the title plan for £2 and download it immediately as a PDF.

But I still don't understand why this is needed. You only need the postcode and address of the property for the searches. There's nothing on the title plan that assists with searches

Check with your solicitor and ask them why the deeds are necessary - I'd be interested in the answer.

This is how a solicitor can get a search done electronically. As you can see, they only need to provide the address.

Solicitor playing for time? Or simply stuck in their usual routine? Can't believe they don't do it online .......

lotto-dreamer

It is usual for the Seller's solicitors to provide the plan. But, frankly, for the price of £6 you can get plan (£3) and office copies (£3) instantly off the land registry yourself (and so can your solicitors)

Go to http://www.landreg.gov.uk You just need to put in postcode (see bottom right hand corner). Properties listed with "information available" will be registered.

The problem with conveyancing is that "title deeds" nowadays usually means just the Office Copies and a plan anyway. Title deeds used to consist of bundles of old documents, old searches etc. Most mortgagees have now "dematerialised" and only keep a set of the office copies anyway.

With registered titles, any changes to the property or ownership are all registered and updated at the land registry.

In basic terms, the Office Copies show the property details, who owns it and any charges and covenants. The plan is also included.

Title deeds (as in large bundle of old deeds and documents) are only necessary if a property is unregistered (usually because it has been in the same ownership for many years and before registration became compulsory).It will be compulsory to register when it changes hands.

Speak to your solicitors and ask them why they can't get the plan themselves and get on with the searches to save time. Apart from an extra £3 to £6 on your bill there is no reason why they shouldn't be able to get on with it. (Remember though, once searches are submitted you will have paid for them - so if you decide not to go ahead with purchase that could be expensive)

A_Nice_Englishman

Thanks for that, lotto-dreamer.

I'm selling my house at the moment and my solicitors made me pay £50 and give them the title deeds before they would start working on the sale. I wish I'd known they could get what they needed for £6 before I paid!

Debt_Free_Chick

lotto-dreamer wrote:

It is usual for the Seller's solicitors to provide the plan.

Speak to your solicitors and ask them why they can't get the plan themselves and get on with the searches to save time.

I agree .... but why do they (think they) need the plan to do the searches

lotto-dreamer

A postcode only identifies the postal address of the property.

The Land Registry plan shows the outline of the property as well as any surrounding areas which may require searching.

There are all sorts of questions raised in the searches with the local authority. There are, for instance "optional enquiries" which address things like public rights of way, footpaths etc. Also, enquiries regarding what is highway (adopted by local authority) and what is not. A solicitor needs to see the plan to be able to ask the pertinent questions. A postcode would definitely not be sufficient.