House Searches back. What should I be looking for???

Tiglet2

Generally if the searches are "passed" then there is no need for concern. The solicitor will send you a Report on Title once most of their enquiries have been responded to, which will tell you in layman's terms whether the searches were ok and if there is anything to be aware of.

Local Authority Search

Official searches are in two parts: an LLC1 and a CON29. 

LLC1

The LLC Register has a record of all charges registered against the property within the local borough (which are binding on successive owners). This includes financial charges, planning agreements, enforcement notices, aviation, listed buildings, and light obstruction notices.

Such matters place restrictions on the property that the owner (i.e. you) will be liable for. They can significantly impact the owner financially, as well as how the property can be used and what changes can be made to it.

LLC1 is the Local Land Charges Register search.  You will find out:

• whether the property is a listed building
• whether the property is located in a conservation area
• whether the property is subject to a tree protection order
• whether the property requires an improvement or renovation
• whether the property is located in a smoke control zone
• whether if the road and footpath is adopted
• whether there are planning agreements and planning permissions surrounding the property
• the property boundaries if known

CON29

The second part of the local authority search is the CON29. 

This search will provide information relating to the following:

• public highways
• proposal for new roads
• planning decision or rail schemes
• outstanding statutory notices
• breaches of planning or building regulation
• existence of a compulsory purchase order
  

ALSO

Check if there is a CIL (Community Levy) charge - only applies to properties built since April 2010.

Planning Register - look to see what documents relate to this property - solicitor will request these from the seller's solicitor.

Building Control - look to see what documents relate to this property, i.e. FENSA, NICEIC etc.  Solicitor will request these from the seller's solicitor.  If documents are listed but not supplied, your solicitor will ask for indemnity policies.

Documents listed more than 20 years old - if listed but not supplied, your solicitor won't press for these, so do your due diligence, i.e. check loft conversion is of sound build quality.

Environmental

Your solicitor cannot interpret this search as they are not qualified surveyors, so it is important that you read it and if there are recommendations for further surveys, decide whether or not to obtain any further information from suitably qualified persons.  Environmental searches are important where the land the property is built on may have been in industrial use in the past.  The search will show whether or not the property is in a radon affected area.

Contamination - If the Risk Management Consultants have issued a certificate on the front page to state that it is unlikely that the land is contaminated, then the search is seen as "passed"

Flooding - is the property situated in an area at risk of potential flooding?  If it is, you could contact the Environmental Agency to ascertain what local flood defences are in place and what level of risk is attributed to this property.  You could also check with your proposed buildings insurance company to check that the risk of flooding will be covered by your insurance policy.  The search will recommend you obtain a Flood Report if the property is in a flood risk area.

Ground Stability - A lot of the UK has clay soil and so the majority of properties are considered moderate for ground instability.  This is fine where foundations are built with this in mind.  Where the risk is "High", that would indicate a bit of caution in your due diligence, i.e. get a full structural survey. 

Chancel Repair 

Often bought as an indemnity policy as a matter of course.  If the property is in an area of potential liability, the indemnity policy could protect you against any future claim.

Water & Drainage 

Check the property is connected to the mains water and sewage.  Solicitor will ask for a copy of the seller's water bill to confirm.

There should be a map showing the water and sewer pipe run.

Confirmation of whether the water is metered (or not).

May give information about the quality of the water and/or water pressure.

movilogo

My search result came with ground stability hazard. Any house built on clay soil will have this hazard. I spoke with my surveyor who said not to worry. Typically clay soil covers majority of South East London and parts of England. 

If you reject a house for ground instability search concern, you then need to reject pretty much entire area as all houses will have same concern.

If your surveyor thinks house is fine, then stop worrying.