At Muve, the most common search indemnity we use is the one Search Express indemnity and property data report
A full fact sheet on this product is available below.
Using a search report with insurance policy as default is part of Muve’s commitment to expedite the conveyancing process. It’s an approach that allows us to manage potential risks without going into exhaustive detail, which can be both time-consuming and expensive.
A search report and insurance policy can be provided within 24 hours of request whereas traditional searches can take many weeks, depending on the relevant local authority’s workload at the time. Additionally, it means that less enquiries are needed to be asked of the seller and provides financial cover that traditional searches do not.
Search insurance policies are an insurance cover that offers protection against potential legal and financial issues that could otherwise surface during traditional property searches. These may include matters relating to planning permission, building regulations, or other matters that would typically come to light from a traditional search pack.
The report does not include some local authority information such as listed building status and contaminated land, information about water supply or drainage arrangements, flood risk, ground stability or coal mining. The report does not cover climate change.
Some information about water supply and drainage arrangements is included in the information required to be provided by your seller but may or may not be accurate. We make basic checks for some location specific information such as flood risk and coal mining and some property specific information such as Gas Safe/HETAS certificates and will recommend further searches or enquiries if we feel they are needed.
The insurance will not cover work requiring planning permission/building regulations that commenced within 12 months of your policy start date. If you think this applies in your case, please tell us and we will raise enquiries on your behalf. The insurance will be invalidated if you have previously or subsequently decide to obtain a traditional search, e.g. obtaining a water and drainage search would invalidate the cover in relation to the information that would be revealed by that search.
A search report with insurance policy can provide peace of mind and financial protection against unknown issues. For clients who place a premium on having an exhaustive understanding of the property they are about to purchase, a traditional search pack may still be more suitable. In this scenario, the choice is not about picking the better option, but the most appropriate one based on individual circumstances. There are also a few mortgage lenders also who do not yet accept a search report with insurance policy. At Muve, we are committed to guiding you through this process, making sure your property journey is as smooth and secure as possible.
| Report Type | Traditional Searches | Search Indemnity Report | Search Indemnity Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Search | Information about planning permission, public highways, contaminated land, Community Infrastructure Levy, statutory notices, noise abatement zones, tree preservation orders, conservation area or other special designations, compulsory purchase orders |
70% of the same information, covering all topics but to a lower level of detail, particularly:
|
✓ |
| Drainage & Water | Information about the water supply arrangements (water provider, the location of the nearest water mains, and any water metering arrangements), drainage systems (connection to public sewers or septic tanks, drainage routes and any shared or private drainage arrangements), payment structure, and any outstanding or unpaid charges, existence of build-over agreements. | Not covered | ✓ |
| Coal Authority | Details about past coal mining operations, coal mines, shafts, audits, or other mining features that may exist in the area, potential hazards or risks associated with coal mining (subsidence caused by historical mining activities, known mine entries, areas of unstable ground, or geological features) | Not covered | ✓ |
| Environmental | Information about any previous industrial activities, land uses, or environmental incidents that may have resulted in soil or groundwater contamination, evaluates the risk of flooding affecting the property, assesses the risk of ground instability or subsidence in the area, identifies any environmental designations or protected areas. | Flood and coastal erosion risk management notices | ✓ |
| Chancel Repair | Whether a property carries any potential liability for contributing to the repair and maintenance of the local parish church’s chancel or other ecclesiastical property | Not covered | ✓ |
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Parkshot House, G kew Road, Richmond TW9 2PR
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