Why Regulated Searches are on the increase

An important part of the process involving the purchase of property is conveyancing searches. These are used to provide a potential buyer with important information they can use to certify purchases and help them renegotiate offers, when necessary. However, the thing that often confuses many people when it comes to arranging property searches is the fact that there are two different types of searches. The two types of property searches used in the UK are the Regulated Local Authority Search and Council Local Authority Search.

If you are looking to buy a home and come across these two terms, you may wonder ‘What is different about them and which is the right one to choose?’ The good news is that is what we are going to discuss in the following post.

But, before we dig deeper, let’s first highlight what each of these searches means.

What are Regulated and Council Local Authority Property Searches?
Both Council, otherwise known as official, and Regulated, often referred to as Personal, Local Authority Property searches provide the same information. One major difference is that it is a search agent that has an affiliation to the council that puts the Regulated Property Search together, whereas the other is supplied by the Local Authority directly. The same enquiry form, the CON29 is used and both provide current and accurate information related to issues affecting the property, such as compulsory purchase orders, conservation areas, traffic schemes and planning proposals. Now that we know the similarities and that main difference, let’s look at some of the other key differences.

Guarantee
Council property searches are fully guaranteed through the Local Authority for the buyer should any information be completed incorrectly. On the other hand, regulated property searches are also guaranteed against errors, although in a different manner through insurance and indemnity cover.

Information Acceptance
There was a time that lenders did not rely on regulated property search results, but those times have changed. The accuracy of information from Regulated Property Searches has improved greatly and most of the lenders now accept their results.

Speed of Searches
Regulated searches are cost effective and have a faster turnaround time compared to Official property searches completed by the Councils.

Cost of Search
There is no one exact price for an Official search conducted by the council, the prices can range from £50 to £250. The price of a Regulated search is a fixed price set by the provider irrespective of the Local Authority you go through. Regulated property searches cost less and vary from £65 to £120.

Overall, both Regulated and Local Authority Searches are accepted by most conveyancing solicitors and lenders, however if you are after speed, price and accuracy then Regulated Searches seems to be most obvious choice.