15/10/2026
๐ก๐ Buying a House? What Are Searches Actually Searching For?
You've found the house. Your offer has been accepted. You've instructed your solicitor...
And then someone tells you they're waiting for the searches.
But what are they actually searching for?
Property searches help your conveyancer uncover important information about the property and surrounding area that you might not discover simply by viewing the house.
Depending on the property and location, searches can provide information relating to things such as:
๐๏ธ Planning & Building Regulations โ including relevant planning decisions and building control information.
๐ฃ๏ธ Roads & Access โ including whether adjoining roads are publicly maintained and certain proposals that could affect the property.
๐ง Water & Drainage โ including connections to mains water and sewerage and the location of certain public pipes.
๐ณ Environmental Matters โ which may identify issues such as contaminated land and other environmental risks.
๐ Flood Risk โ additional searches may be recommended where flooding could be a concern.
โ๏ธ Mining & Ground Stability โ particularly relevant in former mining areas such as parts of South Yorkshire.
Your conveyancer will consider which searches are appropriate for the property you're buying and explain anything that needs further investigation.
Because buying a home isn't only about what you can see at the viewing, it's also about understanding what you're actually buying.
Our experienced Conveyancing Team can guide you through the process from offer to completion.
๐ 0114 276 6166
๐ www.norrie-waite.co.uk