Searches When Buying a House: What Buyers Should Know

Plain English

This guide answers: Searches When Buying a House: What Buyers Should Know Treat it as a working note you can share with your conveyancer, lender, or surveyor so everyone checks the same facts.

Searches and surveys

Searches answer regulatory questions; surveys answer physical condition. Neither replaces the other.

Insurance and lending

Insurers and lenders sometimes care about different facts than buyers do. Flag anything that could affect cover or security.

Audit trail

Keep a short note of when you checked each source so you can explain your timeline to advisers.

Using Property Passport UK

Start from the address on [Property Search](/search). Owners can [claim the Property Passport](/claim/start) and upload Documents with clear dates and sources. Browse more explainers in the [Property Guides library](/guides). This article is general information, not legal, tax, mortgage, or survey advice.