How are Local Authority Searches changing and what does this mean to the conveyancing process?

Monday 4th July sees the introduction of a revised version of the search application form.  This form provides a standard set of enquiries to which Local Authorities will provide replies.  The revised version contains some stylistic changes, and also adds in some new enquiries to provide better information for those people and businesses who are buying, or taking a lease of, property, and those lending money to them.

Each Local Authority is dealing with the changes in different ways;  unfortunately not all Local Authorities have organised themselves for the change.  Some Local Authorities have already warned that they will not accept search applications  whilst they upgrade their systems.