It is important to have a “Search” carried out when buying a property as it is designed to protect prospective purchasers by informing them of, for instance, plans to build a new road in the vicinity, whether the highway fronting the property is privately maintained, to let them know about planning permissions/conditions, tree preservation orders, enforcement notices, or housing improvement grants etc., which may affect the property to be purchased.

Each Search involves research in respect of town planning, statutory orders, highways, housing and environmental health matters and the information found is collated by the Local Land Charges Department.  When the Land Charges staff receive all the required information, the replies are collated into a common format and completed Searches are returned to the applicant within 3-5 working days.

Additional enquiry numbers 4-22 on the Con29O form can also be requested.  These relate to matters such as road schemes, public footpaths, planning and environmental service matters.

Torbay Council no longer replies to drainage enquiries and, therefore a separate search needs to be sent to South West Water.  The applicant’s agent will be aware of this service.