Property Searches — What You Need and When
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Property Searches — What You Need and When
Property searches are a standard part of every residential sale. Understanding what they cover — and having them ready before marketing — can significantly reduce delays after an offer is accepted.
Provider listings coming soon. We're building our directory of trusted providers for searches. Get the Pack to be notified when listings go live. Get Sale Ready
Overview
Searches are ordered by the buyer's solicitor as part of the conveyancing process, but sellers who commission searches upfront can provide them to buyers at the point of sale — removing a common source of delay. The Property Sale Pack Toolkit includes guidance on which searches are relevant to your property and how to obtain them.
What this covers
- Understanding which searches apply to your property
- Commissioning searches before marketing to reduce post-offer delays
- Understanding what search results mean and how to respond to queries
- Search insurance — protecting against expiry if your sale takes longer than expected
Insurance-backed searches available. The searches we link to are insurance-backed — meaning there is less risk of them expiring before your sale completes, even if the process takes longer than expected.
Providers
Provider listings coming soon
We're curating a directory of trusted searches providers. Get the Pack to be notified when listings go live.
Get Sale ReadySome links on this site may take you to third-party providers. We may receive a referral fee or commission if you choose to purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. Property Sale Pack provides guidance and resources only and does not provide legal advice, conveyancing, surveys, searches, EPCs or Land Registry documents directly unless clearly stated.
Sale fallen through? Your searches may not be wasted.
If your sale collapses after searches have been ordered, it is sometimes possible to sell or gift those searches on to a new buyer — potentially recouping some of the cost. This is not a legal right and depends on the new buyer's solicitor and lender being willing to accept them, but it is worth raising with your solicitor if you find yourself in this position. Read more in our searches guide.
Referral disclosure: Some links on this page are referral or affiliate links. If you use them, Property Sale Pack may receive a commission or referral fee at no extra cost to you. We only recommend services we consider relevant to property sellers in England & Wales. See our full disclosure and Terms of Service.