Advice for FTB re searches

fec155

I'm purchasing a property which is approx 20 years old.
I have been asked by my solicitor which searches I require, my options are:

Water and Drainage
Mining search
Environmental search
Chancel repair search
Commons Registration search
Additional Neighbour search

which of these do people recommend I ask for??

Also I have been asked if I want to complete my own SDLT return, is this something that is easy to do? They will charge £39 + vat if I ask them to complete it.

Thanks for your help!

Robert_Sterling

I think you have 28 days following completion in which to pay it yourself.
I would do it myself.

david29dpo

a good solicitor will do a quick "search" for free on your area to see if you need some of the searches, e.g. mining. some areas have no mining so its a waste of money. water and drainage, mainly to see if there are any adopted pipes within the boundary, mainly on old houses. environmental searches, mainly brown-field and contaminated sites.commons is common land, mainly any open fields which may have rights for walkers, sheep etc. additional neighbour, things like school tables. chancel searches are interesting, basically is to find out if the local church has a right to charge any OR all of the landowners, "you", for upkeep of the church. this is mainly very old parishes. dont laugh, as we speak, many parishes are trying to find out if they can do this, as there is a time limit. i will be asking the vicar next time he calls for tea! BEFORE i offer him a biscuit! you can fill in the SDLT form in-yourself, this is for the stamp duty. you have to fill it in even if there is none to pay.