Property searches explained before exchange
The usual search pack covers local-authority, water and drainage, and environmental records. Your conveyancer may add flood, mining or other specialist searches for the property.
The three usual searches
Government buyer guidance lists three usual searches: local authority, water and drainage, and environmental. Each answers a different set of questions.
- Core search count
- 3
- Searches
- local authority, water and drainage, environmental
How this was counted
Postcode district. search types listed in current government buyer guidance.
What the local search covers
Examples include tree preservation orders, listed or conservation status, public road proposals and rail schemes. It does not reveal every proposal on neighbouring private land.
- Example scope count
- 4
- Examples
- tree preservation orders, listed or conservation status, public road schemes, rail schemes
How this was counted
Postcode district. examples of restrictions and external factors in local-authority searches.
Specialist searches
In a former coal-mining area, the official mining report can identify mine entries within 20 metres of the boundary. The address, title plan and intended use determine which other searches are appropriate.
- Mine entry distance m
- 20
How this was counted
Postcode district. mine-entry radius disclosed by the official coal-mining report.
Sources and method
- GOV.UK Buying a home: making an offer. live guidance verified 2026-08-03. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- GOV.UK How to buy a home: searches. guidance verified 2026-08-03. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
- Mining Remediation Authority property check. live service verified 2026-08-03. Retrieved 2026-08-03.
For an address-specific desk check, Property Diligence’s paid report adds the more detailed property-level information available from public sources.