Every month, we ask a topical question to help gain a consensus on various issues that affect property solicitors. This month we’re exploring the Highways Search.
Whilst it’s standard practice to order a local search or SIM (Search of Index Map) to check the property boundary, the problem with the local search is that it will tell you which roads are adopted but it won’t tell you if your client can actually access their property from the road if, for example, a ransom strip exists.
Likewise, particularly in a commercial property transaction, the SIM search plan is not detailed enough to show you the nooks and crannies where access problems can lurk – there’s your problem and that’s why you need something more robust and comprehensive such as a Highways Search. This month we’re asking:
