FAQs About Conveyancing in Ealing
The team at Compare My Move have undertaken the necessary research to answer any questions you may have about the conveyancing process in Ealing. We found that the cost of a Local Authority Search (LLC1 and CON29) in the borough is £155. Radon Gas is unlikely to be an issue but flood risks and ground stability may be a concern.
These factors will be explored in more detail by the searches organised by your solicitor. These are an essential part of the conveyancing process and can shed light on any problems or concerns within the area of your new home.
How Much Are Conveyancing Search Costs in Ealing?
An essential part of buying a house in the UK is the conveyancing process. This includes searches organised by your solicitor which can provide essential information on the property you are looking to buy and the surrounding area.
The cost for these searches will be included in your overall conveyancing fees and these vary based on location. In Ealing, the Local Land Charges Search (LLC1) is £35, with the CON29 form costing £120. The cost of a full residential search (LLC1 And CON29) in the borough is £155.
You will be supplied with a report following the LLC1 and CON29 which will provide details of any charges or restrictions which could impact the use of the property. This includes tree preservation orders, enforcement notices, planning permissions and financial charges. The search also includes reviewing information with regard to local plans, highways and assets of community value. Much of the information is held by the local authority, in this case, Ealing Council.
Additionally, the environmental searches arranged by your solicitor can provide information relating to the wider environment including any flood risks in the area, the level of radon gas and any issues regarding ground instability, subsidence and land contamination.
Local Land Charges Search (LLC1)
£35 inc VAT
The LLC1 search informs purchasers of restrictions or charges affecting the use of the property, such as tree preservation orders, enforcement notices, planning permissions and financial charges.
Form CON29
£120 inc VAT
The CON29 provides information on matters such as local plans, highways and assets of community value.
Full Search
£155 inc VAT
LLC1 and CON29 combined
Con290 Questions
£18 each inc VAT
These are the optional issues you can ask about, which would be in addition to the standard information provided.
Data from the Ealing Council website, correct as of April 2021.
What Are the Flood Risks in Ealing?
There are a number of different types of flooding that can affect the borough of Ealing. These include surface water flooding, groundwater flooding, fluvial and tidal flooding and sewer flooding.
Ealing Council is a lead local flood authority under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 which means they are responsible for coordinating the management of flood risk from surface water, groundwater and ordinary watercourse sources.
According to the Council’s Flood Risk Management Strategy, the borough is heavily urbanised meaning that it has a high proportion of impermeable surfaces and reduced areas to store water. As a result, water can potentially overwhelm the local drainage network in low points across the borough and result in flooding.
The Flood Risk Management Strategy further states that the biggest risk of river flooding in the borough comes from the River Brent. The other main river sections within Ealing are the Osterley Park Boundary Stream and the Yeading Brook. Smaller watercourses are also at risk of flooding and causing disruption or damage to property. However, the Council’s records show that in recent years the borough of Ealing has only experienced limited flooding.
As part of the environmental searches organised by your solicitor, any potential flooding concerns across Ealing will be investigated. Due to the risks of flooding in the borough, it is essential that you are aware of the potential for flooding in the area before you proceed with your property purchase.
Are there Ground Stability Concerns in Ealing?
Another concern that is addressed in conveyancing search reports is the stability of the ground in the area you are looking to buy. As part of the environmental searches, issues surrounding ground instability and subsidence will be explored and any relevant information held by the council will be reviewed.
Research into ground stability across the UK has found that main cities suffer from higher amounts of subsidence, in part due to the number of high-rise buildings in a relatively small area adding increased pressure to the ground. London is especially a high-risk area due to the fact that much of the city has been built on “London Clay”, a natural material that is a type of shrinkable clay and susceptible to changes.
The borough of Ealing forms part of the London Clay basin and as a result, is more at risk from subsidence and ground instability than other parts of the city. This is supported by a map created by Geobear, which identifies subsidence hotspots across the UK. The map shows that Ealing and the surrounding area has particularly high levels of subsidence, although it is on a lesser scale than central and south London. Nevertheless, as subsidence is present throughout the borough, it is therefore essential that you are aware of any potential risks around the home you are looking to purchase.
Your conveyancer will supply you with the relevant reports once the environmental searches are completed and will be able to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have regarding the results.
- 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 Ealing?
Radon Gas is a colourless and odourless gas found across the UK that is formed from the radioactive decay of small amounts of uranium that occurs naturally in rocks and soil. It can often go undetected in homes and has been linked to various health issues, which is why it is so important to understand the levels of Radon in the area you are looking to buy.
In response to these concerns, Public Health England created a heat map of Radon Gas which acts as a visual guide depicting the levels of Radon Gas across the country. The map shows that West London has the lowest levels of Radon Gas found across London, with minimal amounts found in the borough of Ealing. As a result, it is unlikely that Radon Gas will be flagged as a concern during the conveyancing process in the area.
Nevertheless, there are considerable health risks associated with Radon Gas, including lung cancer in non-smokers. You must ensure you read your search report thoroughly and question anything you are uncertain about. Your conveyancing solicitor can answer any questions you may have and help you understand the results of your report.
Is Contaminated Land an Issue in Ealing?
The industrialisation of Britain during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries has left a legacy of land which has been impacted by manufacturing, industry and waste disposal. Severe contamination of land can pose risks to both human health and the wider environment and water systems.
According to the Council’s Land Contamination Strategy, the growth in urban development in Ealing took place almost entirely within the last 130 to 150 years. After 1900, large scale industrial development began, particularly along the railway and canal in Southall. Large factories were built in Bridge Road and Rubastic Road and the major part of the Southall Gas Works was developed. The Acton Park Industrial Estate was built between 1900 and 1908.
As a result, there is significant potential for areas of contaminated land throughout the borough, either direct from the industrial process or waste disposal over the years. Ealing Council has the sole responsibility for determining whether any land across the borough appears to be contaminated.
The searches arranged by your conveyancing solicitor will include a review of the information held by the council regarding contaminated land in the area where the property you wish to buy resides. Your search report will also include information related to historic land use, planning activity, waste and landfill sites and pollution incidents in the borough.
