The Association of Independent Personal Search Agents (IPSA) is urging conveyancing lawyers to use its IPSA Searches website to find “the best local knowledge and expertise possible” for completing sales.
The organisation launched its #MakeTheSwitch campaign at the LegalEx conference and exhibition with the aim of persuading conveyancing lawyers to use the services of an IPSA-accredited search company when completing property sales for their clients.
“The idea of IPSA Searches is that you will probably only ever use the site once in your life,” said IPSA chairman Andrew Prismall. “That is our intention. Because if that visit is successful, you will build a long working relationship with your new local searches contact.”
Prismall said solicitors often didn’t know they had a choice when it came to search agents, so #MakeTheSwitch was intended to highlight the benefits of using an independent company.
“Smoove’s Home Movers Report found that the time it takes to complete a house purchase has risen from 124 to 153 days since before the start of the pandemic,” he said. “Some of that increase is a result of searches, and many solicitors at LegalEx said they are being told local searches could take up to three months.
“That’s not necessarily the case, and lawyers don’t just have to accept it. Contact your local IPSA agent and you might be surprised at how quickly a search can be done,” Prismall added.
The IPSA is a not-for-profit membership organisation which has a network of more than 70 accredited search agents across the country who work collaboratively to offer local searches. Members have all completed a qualification, are fully insured and must comply with the association’s code of conduct. The IPSA also provides a wide range of services for members, including a dedicated website and telephone helpline.
Comments (3)
How are these searches any quicker or better than official searches? If a buyer is desperate to complete quickly, take out delayed-search indemnity (assuming any lender is ok with that).
…the issue is one of delay, which right now is unacceptably too long.
If a firm’s client has secured an amazing deal for a very quick purchase, then the only option is clear. Further, insurance exists for a reason, and in such an instance if the client asks for this and a solicitor refuses, that would be a clear conflict of interest – the client’s instructions Vs the solicitor’s concerns for his/her PII.
Solicitors need to be more solution oriented imo. Clearly there may be an issue of advising lender clients, but in terms of retail clients, I personally see no issues with asking them to sign a waiver with independent legal advice if they opt for this…
For the avoidance of doubt, I am not a conveyancer nor am I a personal search agent/affiliated with any such business.
1. who would dream of choosing a personal / non-official Council search – you’d need express client consent to depart from the normal and usual search, but the impossible task would be to explain all the risks, versus using an official search
2. we only hear they take longer to come through as Council’s find them a nuisance to give time to help the agents interpret the Council’s own data
3. speaking to a Council Land Charge member once, she said she’d never have such a search. Obviously.
4. PII claims in hibernation waiting to arise?
5. just don’t!