@needmorecoffeeandcake
We purchased 2 years ago and there were 3 types of search we had completed.
1= Local Authority Search.
This included local land changes, local planning applications, was our bungalow planning compliant, did the local development framework affect us, Our road status and the Radon gas risk etc.
2= Homecheck Environmental Search
This includes ground contamination risk, flood risk, Radon risk (again), ground stability risk (mines etc) and other influential factors.
3 = Personal Drainage and Water Search.
This includes mains water, foul water, surface water, drainage within boundary, water assets within boundary and public sewer within 100ft.
Now much of this was in legalise, much of it was obvious and much of it was repetitive but it gives good warnings if you are likely to have problems in the future. E.g. they will tell you if Aldi has shoved a planning application next door to build a giant distribution warehouse, or if the bungalow was obviously as risk of flooding or falling into an old mine shaft.
The list is obviously endless, our view was that these reports were £330 well spent.
You ask how long the searches take?
Well 2 of them were back in about 2 weeks. The Local Authority being inept took approx 10 weeks and this was paying extra for their express service!!!!!
As best I can recollect there is no absolute legal obligation to have searches completed, but it would be a foolish person who doesn’t. That said, I have heard a neighbour did them himself, but I have no idea if this is true or even sensible.