Search for Answers


The Law Society's Kevin Martin recently argued that the consultation document revealed by the Department for Communities and Local Government could also be taken as a damning verdict on the searches industry, resulting in the proposed 28-day 'search collation' period (see [2007] Gazette, 8 February, 15).



The debate among local authority search providers, 'official' and 'personal', is overshadowing the basic needs of the consumer - fast, quality searches at a competitive price.



They will be grateful that the other required search in the home information pack (HIP) - the drainage and water search - has fared much better in the trials. The majority of water companies have been turning around 95% of searches within five working days, with many being completed within 24 hours.



The reality, then, is that the drainage and water search from the water companies of England and Wales will almost certainly be available at the first point of marketing. The industry continues to invest heavily in systems, and with their expertise this has meant that this search is one of the few elements of the HIP that can be relied on.



Mark Jarvis, general manager, Severn Trent Searches, Nottingham