Why conveyancers obtain drainage and water searches ?

These contain information as to:

whether foul water and surface drainage from the property drain to a pubic sewer,
the location of public sewers within boundaries of the property or its vicinity,
whether the sewers or proposed sewers are adopted,
the location of public water mains and whether the property is connected,
the basis of charging for the sewerage and water supply to the property

- that 30% of Land in England and Wales is unregistered *

- that even if your title is currently unregistered you can apply to the land Registry for this to be registered.

All land and property ownership in England and Wales is subject to a system of registration at the Land Registry. Land registration confers benefits and safeguards to property owners. In particular the registered title is guaranteed so that if an owners suffers loss as a result of an error in the title, compensation should be payable.

Or certainly this is the case for property which has a registered title, which applies to some 70% of property in England and Wales.

Since the Land Registration Act 2002, came into force on 13 October 2003, no physical deed is now issued by the Land Registry when property changes hands or any other change is made to it. Instead the title is held by the Land Registry electronically. It is open to the public and anyone can view this.

There is always a need in all walks of life for clarity. At Wards our aim is to advise clearly and in terms our clients can understand, without underestimating their ability to assimilate new terminology.

This however is a brief guide to common conveyancing terms which may assist newcomers: