OneSearch Direct, the largest local authority data search company in the UK, has officially announced that it now supplies Property Search South West. Exeter based, Property Search South West, which has supplied conveyancing search reports to the legal profession since 2000, has made OneSearch’s local authority, drainage and water searches available to its conveyancing clients during property purchases.
“There is a huge disparity between councils when it comes to the cost of the main property searches,” confirms Gary Coles, managing director, Property Search South West. “You might pay one fee for council searches in the South West but up to double that for clients purchasing a property in London or the Home Counties for example. Because we can access OneSearch’s vast local authority dataset, we can now offer a choice between council department searches, or, a fixed fee option powered by OneSearch Data, regardless of where the property is being purchased throughout England & Wales.
“In addition, time scales to obtain council department searches vary greatly, and can take a few days or between 6-8 weeks depending on the property’s location,” continues Coles. “The OneSearch service is faster 99% of the time and so this is also an attractive proposition for our conveyancing clients. So far, around 15% of our client base has switched to using the OneSearch Data option.
“The online system is extremely easy to use and with just a couple of clicks, the appropriate searches can be ordered,” explains Coles. “We are delighted to be working with a modern and progressive company like OneSearch which has the information and technology to help us deliver the fixed fee service for the benefit of our clients.”
“As the largest local authority data search company in the UK we have invested around £10 million in the integrity of our data set and the accuracy of the information we supply is paramount,” explains Ronnie Park, managing director, OneSearch Direct. “We have more than 30 people permanently employed to ensure information is updated on a daily basis and making our vast database of local authority information accessible to different markets is a key part of our business.”
For more information on OneSearch Direct visit http://www.onesearchdirect.co.uk