Environmental search

JamesN

Hi all,

Currently waiting on an environmental search and the usual things from solicitor. They said the search can take 2-3 weeks. I may be being naive but seems a little long to do a search on something? Based on the cost of c£100, it doesn't seem like it needs much time spent on it? Assume that is like an hours worth of time for a solicitor (if that!).

Are they being honest or can things be pushed on a little quicker? I gave them instructions to begin work last friday. Was hoping to turn it around it 2 weeks (appreciate that is optimistic).

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are. Is it possible to wrap up the work in 2 weeks (incl searches). My property is a new build and the developers already completed a lot of searches (environmental was the only one not done).

Thanks

G_M

JamesN wrote: »

Hi all,

Currently waiting on an environmental search and the usual things from solicitor.

What does that mean? Local searches too? These get sent to the council. Some councils reply in a few days, some take 8+ weeks.

For a ES, see as an example the Birmingham website:

http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/environmentalsearch

Requests for searches are processed within 5 working days and are sent out by post. The search report can be faxed or emailed if required.

marksoton

JamesN wrote: »

Hi all,

Currently waiting on an environmental search and the usual things from solicitor. They said the search can take 2-3 weeks. I may be being naive but seems a little long to do a search on something? Based on the cost of c£100, it doesn't seem like it needs much time spent on it? Assume that is like an hours worth of time for a solicitor (if that!).

Are they being honest or can things be pushed on a little quicker? I gave them instructions to begin work last friday. Was hoping to turn it around it 2 weeks (appreciate that is optimistic).

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are. Is it possible to wrap up the work in 2 weeks (incl searches). My property is a new build and the developers already completed a lot of searches (environmental was the only one not done).

Thanks

This sentence suggests you mean everything within 2 weeks ?

In which case yes you're being unrealistic. Far better things get done properly at this stage.

kleapatra

Thank your lucky stars- my environmental search took about 6 weeks to come back but I'm still waiting on the local search- they take a minimum of 12 weeks........

davidmcn

What variety of environmental searches are taking weeks to get? My experience of desktop searches is that they can be turned around within a couple of days.

JamesN

Apologies. Should have been clearer. By the usual things I mean them going through the documents they have received and checking the searches (and preparing a pack for me). I believe the only search I need is environmental as the developers did all the other ones like local authority, chancel, water and drainage etc.

I guess my overriding assumption is that it is a new build. 5 others have already exchanged. It was built on grassland not a brown field site. So what major issues could there be that 5 others didn't see as an issue.

Solicitor said 2-3 weeks but I'm not sure who provides the info or if it just means the solicitor needs to do the checks. The house is based in Warwickshire if that helps.

davidmcn

Environmental stuff will all have been checked out as part of the planning process (and can likely be viewed on the planning department's website). Your own desktop search is very unlikely to find anything surprising, I'm not sure what would take 2-3 weeks to obtain or look at.

JamesN

I'm not sure what you mean by my own desktop search? I'm not doing any searches? My solicitor is handling it all.

JamesN

Apparently the solicitor is using another company to get the search. It is just getting files from the local authority on the land. Any idea where I can find the average wait time for Warwickshire? Tempted to give them a call.

Thanks

bigfreddiel

I just emailed the local council to see how long searches were taking. Simple really, they came straight back with the time they were taking.

I guess you could do the same with all the other agencies involved.

Four weeks would be really quick, be prepared for at least eight weeks and probably longer.

fj