A Local Authority Search is usually submitted by your conveyancer / lawyer. The search will be submitted to the appropriate Local Authority and will ask about any details relating to planned development in the immediate area & disputes and road works that might affect the property.
The search will also make enquiries about whether the property is likely to have been built on land affected by mining or has a history of flooding.
Various rights might affect your property, such as public rights of way and easements for utility companies, such as power cables and telephone wires. You will also want to make sure that your property is not subject to other rights or obligations that might be discovered by searching Commons Registration or making an Environmental Search, Mining Search, Land Charge Register, etc.
In addition to searches, your conveyancer will also be making preliminary enquiries of the owner to establish the property’s history. It is important to do all you can to weed out any potential problems as the general legal assumption when buying property, namely ‘Caveat Emptor’ or ‘Buyer Beware’!
Contact us for more information or to speak to an advisor.
Yesterday
Mortgage lenders are starting to recognise their “Green” responsibilities when it comes to the different products they offer.
A recent study by Boon Brokers where 1,000 people who had used an estate agent over the last year were surveyed, showed that a whopping 52% said they were pressured into using the estate agents’ in-house mortgage broker.
11 days ago
Analysts are predicting further rate cuts this year, with the next one possibly coming down to 4% when the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee meet on Thursday 7th August 2025.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has shared new changes to mortgage rules with the aim to simplify remortgaging, and encourage competition within the mortgage market.
18 days ago
Lloyds Banking Group has jumped on the bandwagon to boost lending for first-time buyers as they allocate an additional £4 billion to help first-time buyers on to the property ladder.
As the Loan to Income (LTI) cap has been increased to 5.5 times income, applicants who fit the First Time Buyer Boost criteria could borrow up to 22% more.
The government is introducing mortgage reforms to boost homeownership, stimulate economic growth, and make the housing market more accessible, especially for first-time buyers.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the most significant mortgage reforms in over a decade—great news for those dreaming of homeownership.
21 days ago
Nationwide ease their ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage designed to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder by allowing them to borrow up to six times their income.
27 days ago
Keeping the kids entertained over the six-week summer holidays isn’t always easy, especially with the cost-of-living making it even more difficult. Below is a list of fun, inexpensive ideas to do over the break