Optional Solicitor Searches

chardhouse

Hi all,

FTB
Which optional searches would anyone recommend?

The choices are- Drainage £41 (handy if we wish to extend property at the back),
Environmental (Flood risk etc) £44
Planning £23 (submitted planning applications in vicinity of property).

Combined Environmental + Planning report is £64

I haven't the time or know-how to go about it myself.

It is a Victorian 2 bed terrace near, but not directly on, the seafront in Somerset so flood risk may be an issue. But we would be talking absolute record breaking high tides as opposed to flooding rivers etc.
I know it seems like easy money but is it worth spending the 100-odd quid?

Normally a MoneySaver but don't want to mess up my first time buy.

Thanks

helpMe_2-2

omg! I think those are cheap! I was charged £282 for my searches...hmmm methinks I need to contact my solicitor

chardhouse

These are optional searches on top of the compulsory £128 LA search and £12 Chancelcheck report.

chardhouse

OMG I just fell off 2 pages of board in no time at all never to be seen again.
Any advice guys?

MegS

Personally I would't have any of them. A Victorian terrace will not be built onto any recent landfills or industrial sites and the house has been there a long time with no problems. Drainage, yes if you can make head or tail of the plans then it would be useful if you were to extend so you have to make a decision on exactly how likely it would be. Also would you be able to ring up the water company for the information to help you extend? Planning search, why not ask the vendors if they have had notice of any planning applications from their neighbours. Or even ring up the Council. Is there any green spaces bordering the property that might look like they could be developed? If its just a terrace then it would only be the immediate neighbours or those backing onto you that would be a possible problem with building works. The planning search would only tell you if anything was happening at the time the search is made. There is nothing to say if an application would be made immediately after the search or after you bought the property. Think the Chancelcheck report is a waste of money as well as practically everywhere is on some sort of parish land and the chances of the church putting in a claim in a town/city is quite remote. Bloody church (of any denomination) is the richest organisation in the world so they have a cheek.

maliachammy

Agree totally with the point about the chancel search. if the church ever claims that cash in these types of area we're all in the same boat, and if we're all out of pocket then noone is poorer for it.
Drainage is a useful search, and the coal mining search typifies the rest of them, if it seems like it might be relevant to the house or the area you're buying in then get the search done. I'm buying a house in an old mining area so it is as essential for me as the enviromental search is for you.

Victoria_Falls

I would personally go for the environmental search aswell. There is a wealth of knowledge that is disclosed on here such as - Historical land use data (late 19th century to present day)
-Potential for subsidence
-Potential for river and coastal flooding
- Proximity to landfill sites, waste sites and scrapyards
- Hazardous and regulated installations
- Discharge consents
- Radon exposure
- Local river and air quality
- Current industrial land use details (including petrol and fuel sites).

You should be paying no more the £40 for this.

Drainage is not essential, but if you would like it, to cut costs you can get a private water & drainage search, this is not carried out by the water companies. This will show:
• Drainage enquires
• Water enquires
• Sewer Information
• A colour coded plan of the public sewers surrounding the property

This is about 30% cheaper than an official search but will answer the questions that you need. :beer:

Hope this helps

chardhouse

We have had our structural survey back and it mentions brief elements of environmental history- previous flooding nearby but low risk since sea defences reinforced.
Planning one would be good as there is development going to happen nearby which we were aware of.

Might go for planning and drainage.