FAQs About Conveyancing in Dartford
Compare My Move’s dedicated content team have researched everything you need to know about conveyancing in Dartford. We can reveal the average cost of a Local Authority Search in Dartford is £145 for the LLC1 and Con29.
Overall, the flood risk in Dartford is very low, with some areas of rivers having a higher level. Radon gas is present throughout the town at level 1-3%. Dartford suffers with subsidence and contaminated land areas, but this will all be highlighted in your conveyancing searches.
How Much Are Conveyancing Search Costs in Dartford?
Conveyancing searches are a vital part of the conveyancing process and will let you know any important information regarding the property you’re buying and the land surrounding it. Your solicitor will order them via the local council at the start of the conveyancing process.
The Local Authority Search is made up of two parts, the LLC1 and CON29 form. The cost of a Local Authority Search in Dartford is £145 according to Dartford’s council website. For the LLC1 search only it will cost £50 and £95 for the Con29.
For CON29 additional enquiries, it will cost £15 each and any additional questions or queries your solicitor has will cost £15, according to the Dartford council. All prices are inclusive of VAT.
This is an average cost based on Dartford’s costs, your searches will vary depending on location. Your conveyancing case may require further searches if the results reveal anything concerning, but your solicitor will explain this to you and then recommend the relevant searches.
Electronic Residential Search (LLC1 and CON29R)
£145 inc VAT
This is the full Local Authority Search made up of the LLC1 and CON29R.
Electronic LLC1 Only Search
£50 inc VAT
This is just the LLC1 search and will contain records of all charges registered against a property within Dartford.
Con29 Only
£95 inc VAT
Just the Con29. Will reveal planning history, building control regulation, highway information (including road scheme proposals) and proposed tree preservation orders etc.
Additional Questions
£15 inc VAT
If your solicitor has any further questions relating to the results.
Local Authority Search costs taken from Dartford Council website, 2021
What Are the Flood Risks in Dartford?
If the area you’re buying a house is at risk of flooding, it will be highlighted in your environmental search as part of your conveyancing searches. Your solicitor then might recommend ordering a further flood risk search for a closer look.
As we’ve seen the effect of climate change over the last few years, many areas across the UK are subject to flooding. Dartford has a very low risk of flood risk when looking at the UK Flood Risk Map.
Looking at the UK Flood Risk Map, we can see that Brooklands Lake, Dartford Marshes and part of the River Thames near Long Reach all have a high risk of flooding from the sea or river, which means that each year this area has a chance of flooding of greater than 3.3%.
The River Thames and Dartford as a whole have a very low risk of surface water flooding, meaning that there’s a flood risk chance of less than 0.1% each year which is a positive finding.
Are There Ground Stability Concerns in Dartford?
During your conveyancing searches, you will learn of any ground stability concerns surround the property you plan to buy. Ground stability concerns are issues like subsidence or if the area was previously home to mines.
Looking at the UK Subsidence Map, we can see that most of Dartford suffers from subsidence, with a medium to high risk covering a lot of the town. South of Dartford has the greatest chance of properties being subjected to subsidence damage.
Another factor that causes subsidence is clay soil, which Dartford has a lot of. The UK Clay Hazards Map shows that Dartford is in between Hazard Level D and Hazard Level E areas. This is vital information that will be revealed in your searches as well as your property survey.
If your conveyancing searches reveal the property is affected by subsidence, your solicitor can request further and in-depth searches which should give you peace of mind.
- Reveals instability issues from natural or man-made hazards.
- Highlights historic and current landfill sites.
- Identifies natural ground subsidence.
- Recognises historic tin, coal, clay and any other mining activity.
What are the Radon Gas Levels in Dartford?
Your conveyancing searches might reveal the presence of radon gas near the property. This isn’t something to worry about as radon gas is present throughout the UK, you should only be alarmed if there is a high level of the gas.
Radon gas is a natural gas, but it’s odourless and colourless so it’s hard to detect yourself. According to the UK Radon Map, most of Dartford are elevated radon potential areas, with the maximum radon potential being 1-3 %.
North west of Dartford is Erith which has a low presence of radon gas. Petts Wood and Bromley also have areas with low levels of the gas. Wherever you’re buying a house in Dartford, your solicitor will help you read through the searches and answer any concerns.
Is Contaminated Land An Issue in Dartford?
Contaminated land is another issue that will be highlighted in your conveyancing searches. It’s important to learn if the property you’re buying was built on or near contaminated land as it could pose a threat to your health and any protected species in the area.
The historical land use within Dartford posed a potential for the soil to be contaminated. Previous use of the land in Dartford included; storage of gunpowder, the development of a cotton mill, portland cement manufactures and landfilling.
Due to the demand for housing in the area, many previous industrial sites known as brownfield sites are being developed for other uses. Dartford council’s Contaminated Land Strategy highlights that their planning process means the developed must clean up any contamination.
If your searches reveal any contaminated land, your solicitor can request further searches if necessary. Dartford council offer further information about a specific part of land you’d like to learn the condition of for a charge of £108 plus VAT.
