Navigating the Maze of Solicitor’s Searches: A Homebuyer’s Guide
When I embarked on the journey to purchase my first home 20 years ago, what I didn’t anticipate was uncovering a labyrinth of potential dangers lurking beneath the surface of my dream property. The solicitor’s searches, an essential step in the property buying process, unveiled a series of alarming issues, painting a picture of a minefield rather than a safe haven.
Understanding Solicitor’s Searches
Solicitor’s searches are a critical part of the home buying process, offering a important information into the property’s past, present, and potential future issues. These searches can reveal everything from legal ownership disputes to environmental hazards. While they’re designed to protect you, the buyer, the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming.
My Journey Through the Maze
Living rent-free at my parents’ house, complete with breakfast in bed, the thought of venturing out on my own was daunting, especially when faced with the results of the solicitor’s searches. The property, barely 15 years old, sat on land potentially contaminated by animal hides from a bygone tannery, posing a risk of anthrax – a serious bacterial infection causing skin pustules and swellings, intestinal infection, vomiting, diarrhoea, and possibly death. As if that wasn’t enough, high levels of radon gas, a carcinogenic substance prevalent in Northamptonshire, added another layer of concern.
They say that bad news come in threes, so I was also informed through the solicitor’s searches that the home was in an area susceptible to subsidence. Could it be possible that the house would start to sink soon after I had invested my life savings into buying it?
Addressing the Anthrax Alarm
The mention of anthrax contamination, stemming from the property’s historical ties to a tannery, initially sounded like a narrative lifted from a thriller novel rather than a concern in the property buying process. However, the reality is that cases of anthrax arising from residential land previously used for industrial purposes are exceedingly rare. Modern environmental regulations and remediation techniques have significantly reduced such risks to almost negligible levels.
Radon and Realisation
A limited exposure to radon is inevitable for most people and is usually no cause for alarm. It can, however, accumulate to dangerous levels in confined spaces such as suspended ground floors which have limited ventilation. A solid concrete floor which is sealed with a damp-proof membrane will prevent, or at least restrict, the amount of radon gas that can percolate through to the habitable areas of the house. There is a simple way to be certain if your home has acceptable radon levels. This is to carry out a test using a detector which is available from Public Health England at a cost of around £50 (as of 19.07.21). This level of detail was not, however, made available to us at the time of the purchase and we were left in a rather panicked state.
Subsidence: The Sinking Feeling
The specter of subsidence loomed large, with the possibility of my new home sinking into the clay subsoil of Northamptonshire. However, a simple evaluation of each individual site can give a clearer indication as to whether the presence of clay subsoil is likely to cause a problem. Generally, if there are no thirsty trees within the vicinity of the house, it is unlikely that the clay subsoil will shrink to a degree which will result in serious structural damage to a property. The volume of clay subsoil can wax and wane throughout the year. In most cases, any structures above will simply move in coordination with this change in volume. Cracks can appear in the dry summer months, but then close slightly during the wetter winter months when the clay expands. This is sometimes referred to by surveyors as seasonal movement.
A Happy Home
After five years of happy residency in this house of potential hazards I eventually sold to another first-time buyer who was, no doubt, equally as terrified by the solicitor’s searches as I was.
Solicitor’s searches are invaluable tools, shedding light on potential issues that could affect your home and well-being. Much of the content is, however, generalised and the importance of having an experienced surveyor and solicitor who is familiar with the area and able to provide an objective opinion on risk is invaluable. It can make the difference between fear-induced panic and rational perspectives when it comes to the purchase of your home.
David Cosby Estate Agents have the benefit of more than a decade of Surveying and Legal expertise. We believe that it is our knowledge and professionalism that helps to sell homes. As one of our clients succinctly put it “No gimmicks, no annoying sales people – just professionals who make it look easy!”
If you’re stepping onto the property ladder or considering selling, and seek a market appraisal or need a detailed survey, we’re here to help. Remember, with the right professionals by your side, navigating the property market can be a journey of informed decisions rather than fear-induced reactions.
For more information or to discuss how we can assist you, please contact us on 01327 361664 or visit our website.
