So what exactly are searches and enquiries

[wisteriadrive]

And what might these find ? We’re moving into this stage and no idea what to expect really !
Our chain is ftb/us/downsizers (already got a house ready and paid for)
Would love an in depth explanation as I haven’t had barely anything like this from my solicitors !

Searches just check things like mining in the area, they are only 'required' with a mortgage but you can have them done for peace of mind.

Enquiries are then questions the solicitor asks the sellers solicitor. This is to question anything about the searches and survey that isn't clear or needs confirming etc... like for example past planning permission for any changes, building regulation certificates after any work or guarantees for things like boiler or the roof etc...

Great thanks.
We did extend our house and have the building control completion certificate but cannot find the planning permission anywhere ! Will they definitely need this do you know ?

I'm not sure. I do know in worst cases you can purchase 'indemnity insurance' though.

You should be able to find records of the planning permission and decision on the council website

I think most of the enquiries are back and forth between the solicitors to iron out any hint of ambiguity about the purchase. Some of the enquiries that were referred to me to answer were things like...

Is the side gate in a good state of repair? (yes)
Does anyone else have access through it? (no)
If the side gate has a key please confirm it will be passed to the new owners (obviously!)
Will the council ever have cause to build on the side passage? (no, it's on private land!)

Really random stuff to be honest and yes they were obsessed with our side gate/passage for some reason.

As an example of enquiries I didn't have sight of during the process, historic plans of the house we bought show a pathway through our garden and into the garden/property that backs onto ours. This is because past owners split the land, built the house that backs onto ours and their family lived there so they kept a path between. The two gardens are now completely separated but because the path still shows on the plans the solicitors needed to confirm exactly what the current set up was.

As PP says, you can usually look up planning permission on council websites depending on how long ago it was.

If you can't do this, then you can get indemnity insurance- but it's up to the buyers (and sometimes their lenders) as to whether they will accept this. If you have FTB purchasing your property, expect them to want everything by the book/what their solicitor tells them they need.

You would have had enquiries and searches done on your current property when you bought it though, so it will be similar to those.

Well this is it, it was inherited. Well gifted I should say. It was bought from the council by my grandparents in 1982!! I need to dig the deeds out I ordered for when I did the extension, because I remember seeing something on there to do with conveyancing