The difference between an authorised local authority search and a personal search.

A Local Authority, a private search firm or any member of the public can carry out land and property searches.

A personal search provides sight only information contained in the Local Land Charges Register, no print out, legal forms, or Local Authority stamped documents are supplied.

A Local Authority Search contains a fully comprehensive search of the Local Land Charges Register, including an official stamped legal form approved and recognised by The Law Society.

A personal search company will need to rely on indemnity insurance to provide compensation if an error is made on a personal search.

A Local Authority Search is fully guaranteed for any errors or omissions and is backed by comprehensive source data.

A personal search may not contain information about any planning proposals, building control approvals or completions, traffic schemes, outstanding housing notices, health and safety, environmental health issues and contaminated land.

A Local Authority search provides full information with responses to all Con29R enquiries.

The local authority staff are fully trained to interpret all information gathered. Not all personal search agents are.

The Law Society recommends that a personal search should only be undertaken with the approval of the client when time does not permit official searches to be done.

Some mortgage lenders will not accept a personal search as part of a Home Information Pack.

The Local Authority takes no responsibility for the information given in a personal search. Any errors or omissions must be dealt with by the personal search company.