Frequently asked questions ...
Why use us?
The Conveyancing Report Agency prides itself on providing Conveyancing Searches quickly and to a high degree of quality. We can provide Conveyancing searches on a national level. We believe that we provide the best products in the market.
- Experience
We specialise in sourcing, gathering and delivering conveyancing information to the legal profession and the property industry as a whole. Over the years we have developed a strong bond with solicitors, Local Authorities, Water Companies, Estate Agents and various other agencies throughout England and Wales .
- Innovation
Innovation and flexibility has been the key to our success. We have successfully introduced new products such as the Know Your Neighbour Planning report, the CRA Conveyancing Information Pack and Purchaser Search Packs. We are continually investigating new products and services that we think will be beneficial to you and your clients. The introduction of Commercial Search Packs is simply a continuation of our drive to deliver excellent products and real added value to our clients.
- Delivery
Our aim is to provide accurate, value for money reports, in a prompt and efficient manner that is of the greatest benefit to our clients and their own clients. We do what we say, and we will advise you if there is any delay on a particular element of your search requests for whatever reason.
- Peace of Mind
The Conveyancing Report Agency has £8 million Professional Indemnity cover on all its searches, and an additional £2 million Information Accuracy Indemnity on Local Authority searches provided by Home Assurance to protect your business and reputation.
The Conveyancing Report Agency:
- Competitively Priced
- Quick Turnaround
- One Stop Shop for all your Conveyancing needs
- Good product base
- Personal Service
- Nationwide Coverage
- £8m Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Up to £2 million Personal Search Insurance
Click here to download sample reports.
What is a Personal Search?
Under the Local Land Charges Act 1975, local authorities are required to allow any person to search the Local Land Charges Register on payment of a prescribed fee. In addition, any person is entitled by law to inspect any records open to public inspection held by local authorities, for example, the planning register, the register of enforcement notices, stop notices and breach of condition notices.
All conveyancing transactions require a local authority search to be carried out to ensure there are no issues that might adversely affect the property that the buyers (and their lenders) should know about. Search companies are commissioned by conveyancers to carry out personal searches of public information held by local authorities, so they can confirm the position to their buyer clients.
How large is the personal search market?
In the mid to late 1990s, personal searches accounted for around 5% of all local searches but in recent years this has grown to approximately 30% to 35%. This rapid growth in personal searches has come about for three distinct reasons:
- Service – personal search companies compete with both one another and the local authorities to provide their customers with a comprehensive service for all necessary searches that enables them to make informed decisions.
- Cost Advantage – the fees levied by personal search companies are generally lower than the fees charged by local authorities when undertaking the searches direct. This reflects a commitment to providing a value for money approach.
- Speed of Delivery - personal searches can be significantly quicker compared to the time taken by local authorities to carry out searches.
How do I set up an account?
If you haven’t used us before please contact us for an order form and an account opening form to be sent out to you. Once we have received this information back, your account will be set up.
How do I pay and when?
Each search is sent out with an invoice. A monthly statement is also sent out. Payment is accepted on instruction or we offer 30 days credit facility.
How long will I have to wait for the result?
The results are normally obtained within 3-5 working days. (Depending on Local Authority)
What if I have an extremely urgent search?
The Conveyancing Report Agency will endeavour to meet any deadline that you may set. In urgent cases we recommend that you contact us to check how quickly we can carry out the search before instructing us.
Which lenders accept personal searches?
Please click here to view a list of all the major lenders who accept personal searches.
What areas of the UK do you cover?
The Conveyancing Report Agency is a national company that can carry out searches throughout all of England & Wales. Please click here for a map defining our prices.
What insurance cover do you have for your searches?
The Conveyancing Report Agency holds a £8 million indemnity policy which provides cover for each individual property. The policy also provides the added security of run-off cover. We also hold Personal Search Insurance of up to £2 million per local authority search. Personal search insurance will provide you cover for incomplete or inaccurate information provided to us by the local authority. If you require a copy of our Indemnity Policy please contact us. If you require a copy of our Personal Search Insurance please click here to download.
What is an Environmental Search?
Residential and Commercial environmental reports reveal a wide range of vital information about past and present environmental issues affecting the property.
Liability for contaminated land now rests with the current owner or occupier where the past polluter cannot be found. As a result, homebuyers may face serious financial penalties and health risks if they purchase property on contaminated land. An Environmental Search can help reduce the conveyancer's exposure to negligence and guard the purchaser against property blight.
My local authority search doesn’t reveal information on future Planning Permissions on properties or land near to the house my client wants to buy, how can we find this out?
The Conveyancing Report Agency would recommend buying a Know Your Neighbour report as it addresses this by providing planning applications within 250m of the purchase property made over the last 5 years. This report is also helpful for people moving to a “new” area as it gives the client the benefit of providing local information such as schools, hospitals and amenities.
We understand, that at present, The Know Your Neighbour report is not a legal requirement of the conveyancing process; however, with your clients best interest in mind, a quality conveyancing practice should extend the offer of this report as an optional supplement to their client’s purchase.
I can’t see a search that I require on your order form?
Please click here to see our order forms. If you cannot find what you are looking for contact us, we have an extended list of suppliers for all types of searches and will most likely be able to carry it out.
Do you deal direct with the public?
Our website can be a great informative tool on land and property searches. However we do not deal direct with the general public. If you are interested in our services, by all means recommend us to your acting solicitor.
If you have any other questions that are not answered here. Please contact us where we will try and answer any other query you may have.
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