Clutton Cox Solicitors Conveyancing Searches
http://www.cluttoncox.co.uk
Commons and Not So Common Conveyancing Searches
Here is a round up of some of other searches which may be
carried out by your Conveyancing Solicitor; some of which
will be obvious, others less so.
The Water and Drainage Search
This was compulsory under the old HIP regulations. Now,
although no longer compulsory, most Conveyancing Solicitors
will carry one out as a matter of course.
A Water and Drainage Search will discover the location of the
nearest public sewer. Since 1st October 2011 all private lateral
drains, outside a property, will become public sewers as will
any shared drains within private property. The Water
Authority will require a build over agreement where any
buildings e.g. a new extension is to be built within 3 metres of
a public sewer.
Chancel Repair Liability
Chancel Repair liability is an ancient law which could still
affect property in England and Wales.
Property owners in the vicinity of a medieval or earlier church
could be asked to contribute some or all of the repairs to the
Chancel of the Church.
The Chancel is where the altar lies and pretty much the east
end of the Church.
Conveyancing Solicitors will carry out a Chancel Repair
Liability search for you in certain circumstances; some
Conveyancing Solicitors will carry out the Chancel Repair
search by default. For a fuller investigation read my blog
Chancel Repair Liability: The Full Monty at
www.cluttoncox.co.uk/site/library/blog/blogpost/chancel_re
pair_liability_definitive_guide.html
Common Land and Village Greens
If the property you are purchasing is close to or separated
from the road by "common land or a village green", your
Conveyancing Solicitor will insist on carrying out a commons
search. Commons searches are crucial in such circumstances.
In general, no development is allowed where land has been
registered and designated as a common or a town or village
green.
Don't even think of Buying or Selling your home until you've read this book!
Conveyancing Searches
The new Localism Act starts coming into force in April 2012,
which gives new powers to communities to buy and sell
community property
Find more at the website.
