Property - searches
It is important to have a search carried out when buying a property as it is designed to protect prospective purchasers by informing them of, for instance, plans to build a new road in the vicinity, whether the highway fronting the property is public or privately maintained, to let them know about planning permissions/conditions, tree preservation orders, enforcement notices, or housing grants etc, which may affect the property to be purchased.
| Service ID: | 598 |
|---|---|
| email: | landcharges@staffordbc.gov.uk |
| telephone: | 01785 619534 |
| sms: | 07781 471023 |
| fax: | 01785 618990 |
| comments: |
Each search involves research in respect of town planning, statutory orders, highways, housing and environmental health matters and is sent to the four separate Council service groupings for their action. When the Land Charges officers receive the required information, the replies from the service groupings are collated and completed searches are usually returned to the applicant within 10 working days.
Optional enquiry numbers 4-22 of the Land Charges Form Con29O relate to matters such as road schemes, public footpaths, planning and environmental service matters. These enquiries are also dispatched to the relevant service groupings for their comments. Stafford Borough Council no longer replies to drainage enquiries and, therefore, a separate search needs to be sent to Severn Trent Water. The applicant's solicitor will be aware of this service.