Local Land Searches Summit Helps Bridge Gap in Property Search Services Market

On Wednesday 21st May the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) and Land Data invited over 150 senior industry experts to a Local Search Summit held in Birmingham. Severn Trent Searches were the main sponsor of this event, which was designed to encourage increased understanding and cooperation in the delivery of local searches.  Local searches are currently viewed as a potential stumbling block to the successful delivery of HIPs post-transitional arrangements.  The event marks a first for the property searches industry bringing together local land charges officers with private search companies.

Peter Matthew, Deputy Director of the Home Buying & Selling Unit at Communities and Local Government acknowledged, “no one party could do it alone”. Referring to Local Authorities and private search companies, he acknowledged the issues facing each and the importance of finding resolutions to enable both parties to work together for the good of the consumer. He commented that Government’s role was to provide a framework to enable this process and that its directive on access, consultations on charging and the forthcoming removal of insurance went some way to establishing the framework.

If events of this type are built on and, for example, regional forums of both local authorities and private search firms are established, this could prove a giant leap forward for this section of the property industry.

"What could potentially have been a confrontational naming and shaming session turned out to be a constructive forum of lively debate which was both informative and progressive."
Owen Davies, Severn Trent Searches

The mood of the delegates was positive; a willingness to work together and find ways to bridge gaps was evident during the afternoon workshops, with many asking for regular regional focus groups to be set up for further discussion.

Other speakers at the Summit included, Simon Welch, West Bromwich Building Society, Ted Beardsall, Deputy Chief Executive, Land Registry, Nigel Hemmings from Birmingham City Council, STL’s Craig Lamb, Chris Harris from LMS and Mark Jarvis of Severn Trent Searches.

‘In my view it is imperative that more collaborative events of this nature are held. The industry needs to examine the real barriers to progress, find ways through or round, and move on. All the sponsors of the event deserve much credit for trying to fill the void and promote respect and co-operation.’
Ted Beardsall, Land Registry

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