Solicitor's Duties for 2nd Hand Purchase

T

TheNog

Guest
Hi,

I'm a FTB and due to sign contracts in the next week or so. Just got to view the contracts today and the solicitor has made out a list of 'tasks' that I should have undertaken by an engineer/architect.
Here are a few.
1. Confirm there are no planning permission that affect the property.
2. Confirm that the property is not subject to any special amenity area preservation.
3. Confirm that there are no CPO's on the property
4. Confirm whether or not there is any unauthorised development with the property
5. Confirm that there has been no applications for permission or approval under the planning acts.

There are others but surely these are the things that the solicitor should follow up on and not an engineer???

Any advice would be greatly appreciate...feel an ulcer coming on!!

CHeers.
 
I would have thought myself that these were searches that could/should be carried out by a solicitor, but I'm no expert.

Re. (2) and (3), I would have thought that these are only likely to apply in a very small, and fairly obvious number of circumstances.

Re. (4)-have there been any extensions? Not all extensions actually require permission.

Re. (1)-What is in front of, beside and behind the property? Is it realistic that anything could be built in those locations?

That's only my own take-I'm as surprised as you are that a solicitor wouldn't undertake these searches, unless you have to specifically request them to do so.

There are a number of solicitors who contribute regularly to AAM, and hopefully they will clarify, or at least give their take on the situation.
 
Thanks for that, I know there are a number of the items listed in the letter that will not apply but I was just a bit taken aback by it, to me, and I'm definitely no leagal expert, they seemed like something for the solicitor.
The problem is my engineer is giving me the run around as it is so I definitely don't wish to have any additional requirements for him!!!
I have a number of calls to make tomorrow so hopefully all will be clearer then.
Cheers.
 
1, 2, 3 & 5 can be ascertained by doing a planning search with the local authority. In some areas there are specialist searchers who will undertake this. In other areas a solicitor can do a planning search, but quite often will ask the client to have their engineer do it as they can go to the planning office and check there and then- if I do a planning search for a client it is by written request to the council and a reply can take a minimum of 6 weeks.
4 can only be ascertained by a physical inspection of the property by someone with the requisite planning knowledge aka your engineer.
 
Thanks Vanilla, I just wasn't sure who was responsible for it so thought it best to check. Have been finding it hard to get some straight answers from the people I've been dealing with so this site has become invaluable from that perspective. I'll talk it through with the engineer next Tuesday hopefully!!!
 
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