Property searches are ordered through your solicitor or SAM and the searches are ordered from the local authority, water board, environment agency and other bodies to provide critical information about your property. Typical information includes if the property has planning permission and building regulation certificates, if the is in a high risk flood area or if it is built on or near contaminated land.
Order your conveyancing searches when you instruct your solicitor for a fast purchase, or if you wait, make sure you order them no later than when you order your mortgage valuation as your conveyancing searches can take 3 weeks or more to come back from the local authority.