How long Do Searches Take???

chickmeistergeneral

Hi there

I was just wondering if anyone here can give me some info on searches.

Thats what stage im up to at the moment, and as a FTB im not too sure the time they take, and what there about.

My mortgage, and survey is sorted, there is no chain as the vendor is moving into rented accomodation, so i want to be in the house asap, someone told me the searches can take about 6 weeks normally, but there is an option where you can pay more to speed the process up????

Any info or advice would be greatly appreciated


Thanks

Kate (a very over excited FTB):j

aneclair

Hi Kate, I'm just selling mine at the moment and am at the same stage. I was told its taking about 4 weeks to complete searches. Not sure if its area-specific but there's my two pence worth

U've_been_framed

Our conveyancer has informed us that the search should take 2-3 weeks. It may be that they take longer in other areas. Don't know if you can pay extra to get the process spedup.

KellsBells

Hi,

The length of time Local Authority Searches take to come in varies from area to area - 6/8 weeks is probably average, although I have known them to come back in a couple of weeks. Phone the estate agent, they'll know how long they are taking in your area.

As to what they are for - they cover a few things: drainage, mining, environmental (land fill) - what they are basically searching for is to see if there is anything in the local area that may affect your property. If there is, it will be disclosed to your mortgage lender.

You can speed up the searches by paying your solicitor to apply for personal searches online - these can come back in 48hrs, but if you've already paid for/applied for searches then don't bother with this.

There's a conveyancer who comes on this board called Richard, he'll be knowledgable about this sort of thing.

xycom1

I sent the money for my searches a few weeks ago and spoke to solicitor this morning and they had arrived on Friday. So about 3/4 weeks for me.

Feanor

Our EA told us that the searches will take 3 days as they now can be done online? Might be worth asking about.

x

erique7

Hello!

I'm a personal searcher - depending on your area a full council search can take upto 8 weeks, personal searches as previously said can take 48 hours to 5 days.

Hope this helps!

Emma

Worried

My OH's aunt performs these searches for our local authority. She has kept an eye out for our file, so she can do our searches. She said they are being done today and will be back with our solicitor on thursday. We paid £250 to our solicitor for all the searches weeks ago. How come they're only being done now and only take a couple of days when people say they should take weeks? could it be that the aunt only does one bit of the searches and the environmental etc. has already been done by someone else? Don't understand why the searches were sent off for weeks ago, but will be done in a matter of 48 hours. Is it just a case of the waiting time is a few weeks, but the actual work only takes a few days?

fkelanne

we were told 0 days, it only took 7 tho

jonboy13

I've just had my sols conveyancing letter for our purchase. There's a paragraph about the governments policy to ultimately have all conveyancing transactions done electronically. I've been quoted £35 for all searches (drainage/planning/environment search etc)to be done online via NLIS hub (National Land Information Service) and the company Searchflow. Th standard search fees still apply - Planning £30 etc etc. Very new to all this but think I may splash out if it keeps things chugging along.
J