17th September 2026 • The HERALD • Page 77 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v YATES & CO Chartered Accountants Specialists in providing accounting and taxation advice to small businesses and individuals Contact: Colin Yates A.C.A. Telephone: (023) 8086 1550 E-mail: enquiries@yatesco.co.uk Personal and Friendly Service ASK A PROFESSIONAL What Are Property Searches and Why Should I Have Them? by Sophie Eklund, Conveyancing Executive at TMT Legal Services Buying a home is an exciting milestone and property searches are there to help you buy with con dence. Carried out by your lawyer, these searches provide useful information about both the property and the surrounding area, giving you a clearer picture of what you’re investing in. One of the main bene ts is nding out about future developments. If you’re buying in Totton, Hythe, Fawley or elsewhere across the Waterside, searches can reveal plans for new homes, community facilities, road improvements or other local projects. is can help you understand how an area may change over the coming years. Property searches also check drainage and water connections, con rming whether a property is connected to mains water and sewerage and identifying the location of public sewers. is can be particularly useful if you’re considering future improvements, such as an extension or garden project. e Waterside area is known for its attractive green spaces, village character and proximity to the New Forest National Park. Searches can identify Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and whether a property is located within a Conservation Area. ese protections help preserve the features that make places like Hythe, Beaulieu and surrounding villages so appealing, while helping risk. In many cases, they simply provide reassurance while helping buyers better understand the local environment and any considerations that may be relevant to insurance or future plans. Although property searches are only a small part of the home-buying process, they provide valuable information that helps buyers make informed decisions and avoid unexpected surprises later on. Because searches are required by most mortgage lenders, they are a standard part of most property purchases. at’s why TMT o er a xed fee for searches, with the cost clearly set out from the estimate stage. is gives our clients certainty about what’s included, helps avoid unexpected costs and keeps the conveyancing process straightforward and transparent from the very beginning. If you would like to know more, contact our friendly team on: 0333 188 4758, email: enquiry@ tmtlegalservices.co.uk, or visit one of our o ces in Hythe, Chandler’s Ford or Bitterne Village. For more information visit: www.tmtlegalservices. co.uk buyers understand any permissions that may be needed for future alterations. Another important part of the process is checking Building Regulations and Local Land Charges. Searches can reveal whether previous extensions, lo conversions or other alterations received the necessary approvals, as well as highlighting planning conditions or restrictions that may a ect the property. Environmental searches are also included. ese provide information about matters such as radon levels, ground stability and flood Sophie Eklund, Conveyancing Executive at TMT Legal Services
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