Answers for England and Wales

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Question: 5.4.6. Does the lender accept search insurance and, if yes, what are the lender's specific requirements?

Lender Answer
Accord Buy to Let Yes, subject to the requirements in Part 1 and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Accord Mortgages Ltd Yes, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Adam & Company No
Adam & Company International No

Ahli United Bank (UK) plc Please refer to Central Administration Unit
Aldermore Bank PLC Search insurance is only acceptable for remortgages or where the borrower/s are purchasing the property from 'personal name into a company' with at least one of the individuals involved remaining as part of the transaction (if others are being added or removed) , and only acceptable in respect of local authority searches, provided that our interests are fully protected. The insurance policy must cover our successors in title without limitation and the conveyancer must provide an unqualified Certificate of Title. Aldermore accept title insurance
Allied Irish Bank (GB), a trading name of AIB Group (UK) Yes, provided that it complies with 5.4.7 and 5.4.8 of Part 1.
Atom Bank plc Yes, for both purchases and re-mortgage applications, provided the search insurance is arranged at the conveyancer’s own risk.

You must ensure the search insurance arranged adequately protects us, be satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable and provide an unqualified Certificate of Title.

Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd Please contact the lender.
Bank of China No.
Bank of Ireland (UK) plc For remortgage transactions only, of up to and including £1 million, we do not require the Solicitor to make a Local Authority search or to effect local search insurance. Instead we shall take out a local search indemnity policy at our own expense. We will be the sole named insured on the policy. The Solicitor is also not required to carry out any mining, Cheshire Brine or commons registration searches on our behalf for remortgages up to £1 million. However, we recommend these are undertaken, where appropriate, if not previously carried out on behalf of the applicant(s).

For purchases, we will accept search insurance if you are prepared to proceed at your risk by giving an unqualified certificate of title on the basis that the search insurance you obtain adequately protects us.
Bank of Ireland as Bank of Ireland Mortgages For remortgage transactions only, of up to and including £1 million, we do not require the Solicitor to make a Local Authority search or to effect local search insurance. Instead we shall take out a local search indemnity policy at our own expense. We will be the sole named insured on the policy. The Solicitor is also not required to carry out any mining, Cheshire Brine or commons registration searches on our behalf for remortgages up to £1 million. However, we recommend these are undertaken, where appropriate, if not previously carried out on behalf of the applicant(s).

For purchases, we will accept search insurance if you are prepared to proceed at your risk by giving an unqualified certificate of title on the basis that the search insurance you obtain adequately protects us.
Bank of Scotland Beginning A Yes
Bank of Scotland Beginning O Yes
Bank of Scotland Private Banking  
Barclays Bank UK PLC Yes, for both purchases and re-mortgage applications provided adequate cover is arranged at the Conveyancer’s own risk.
Barnsley Building Soc, a trading name Yorkshire Building Soc Yes, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Birmingham Bank Yes. Search insurance is only acceptable for remortgages or where the borrower/s are purchasing the property from 'personal name into a company' or between two companies within the same group structure with at least one of the individuals involved remaining as part of the transaction (if others are being added or removed) , and only acceptable in respect of local authority searches, provided that our interests are fully protected. The insurance policy must cover our successors in title without limitation and the conveyancer must provide an unqualified Certificate of Title
Birmingham Midshires Yes
Bluestone Mortgages For remortgages Bluestone will allow solicitors to obtain Local Authority Search Indemnity, but solicitors take out at own risk, have to confirm that Bluestone’s interests are safeguarded and they must certify that the title is good and marketable
Bradford & Bingley Limited Yes, provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Britannia, a trading name of The Co-operative Bank plc No
Buckinghamshire Building Society Yes - For Remortgage only
Chelsea Building Society (a trading name of Yorkshire BS) Yes, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
CHL Mortgages No
Clydesdale Bank plc Yes - the minimum cover must be the open market value of the property.
Co-operative Bank plc Yes, for remortgages only, providing that the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Not accepted on purchases.
Coutts No
Coutts Finance Co No
Coventry Building Society Yes, at Conveyancer's own risk. You must certify that the tittle is good and marketable and provide and unqualified Certificate of Title. Any policy must cover successors in title or be readily assignable (with no onerous terms). You should advise the customer of the risk of proceeding with the indemnity insurance and they should only proceed with knowledge. In addition to the above, our requirements under section 9 of the UK Finance Handbook will still need to be met.

Cynergy Bank We accept search insurance provided these enable the solicitor firm or licensed conveyance firm to provide a clear certificate of title.
Danske Bank Yes for remortgages only and provided the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Not for purchase transactions.
Darlington Building Society Yes, for remortgages only. The minimum amount of cover must be the open market value of the property, and you are satisfied that you are able to certify that the Title is good and marketable.
DB UK Bank Ltd Search insurance is acceptable subject to the following:

- you are satisfied that our interests are adequately safeguarded
- the sum insured of the policy is an amount at least equal to the mortgage advance or credit limit, whichever the higher
- you can certify that the title is good and marketable and provide a clear Certificate of Title
Dudley Building Society Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Ecology Building Society Yes, providing the search insurance fully protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable
Family Building Soc (a trading name of National Counties BS) Remortgages - yes, provided the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Purchases – yes, provided
• the search insurance adequately protects us
• you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable, and
• you have explained to the borrowers the risks of proceeding on the basis of search insurance in place of a Local Authority search.
First Direct Yes, we will accept local authority search indemnity insurance at your own risk provided that the mortgage valuation of the property does not exceed £1 million and that you are satisfied the policy adequately protects us as mortgagee and that you give an unqualified Certificate of Title. At a minimum, the policy cover must be the open market value of the property. Other than local search indemnity insurance, no other search indemnity insurance is acceptable.
Fleet Mortgages Search insurance is only acceptable for remortgages or where the customer is purchasing the property into an SPV from their personal name(s) but where none of the individuals involved are changing (being added or removed) as part of the transaction, and only acceptable in respect of local authority searches, provided that our interests are fully protected. This excludes transactions;
• of £1million or more;
• relating to Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs);
• relating to Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUBs).
The insurance policy must cover our successors in title without limitation and the conveyancer must provide an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Foundation Home Loans FOR REMORTGAGE TRANSACTIONS:
"No Search" indemnity insurance is acceptable provided:
a. you are satisfied that our interests are adequately safeguarded
b. the sum insured of the policy is an amount at least equal to the open market value of the property
c. you can certify that the title is good and marketable and not fettered and
d. you can provide a clear Certificate of Title

You must confirm in your Certificate of Title whether full searches have been obtained or whether a "No Search" indemnity policy is being procured. A copy of the policy must be provided to us on completion.
PLEASE NOTE: "No Search" indemnity insurance is not accepted for remortgage transactions that relate to:
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)
• Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUB’s)

FOR PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS:
"No Search" indemnity insurance is acceptable in lieu of all property related searches (save for Land Registry Searches) and we will also accept "No Search" indemnity insurance where the searches have recently expired provided:
a. you are satisfied that our interests are adequately safeguarded
b. the sum insured of the policy is an amount at least equal to the open market value of the property
c. you can certify that the title is good and marketable and not fettered and
d. you can provide a clear Certificate of Title

PLEASE NOTE: "No Search" indemnity insurance is not accepted for purchase transactions that relate to:
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)
• Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUB’s)


Furness Building Society Re-mortgages only, subject to an unqualified Certificate of Title.
GE Money Home Lending Ltd GE Money Home Lending has withdrawn from the UK mortgage market.
Generation Home If searches are more than 6 months but less than 12 months old at completion we can accept a search validation indemnity insurance policy when this is recommended by our conveyancer and with submission of a clear certificate of title.

We can accept no search indemnity insurance for remortgage transactions when recommended by our conveyancer and submission of a clear certificate of title.

If our conveyancer obtains search indemnity insurance they must ensure that the limit of indemnity is an amount at least equal to the value of the property.
Godiva Mortgages Ltd Yes, at Conveyancer's own risk. You must certify that the title is good and marketable and provide and unqualified Certificate of Title. Any policy must cover successors in title or be readily assignable (with no onerous terms). You should advise the customer of the risk of proceeding with the indemnity insurance and they should only proceed with knowledge. In addition to the above, our requirements under section 9 of the UK Finance Handbook will still need to be met.

Habito Yes providing the search insurance adequately protects us, and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Halifax Yes
Halifax Loans Ltd Yes
Hampden & Co. plc No
Handelsbanken Yes, provided you are still able to give an unqualified Certificate of Title. Please refer to the Branch office instructing you before proceeding with insurance in place of searches.
Harpenden Building Society Yes, providing the search insurance fully protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Hinckley and Rugby Building Society No on purchase mortgages. Yes on remortgages.

1 June 2021 - 30 June 2021
The Society will accept Search Insurance on House Purchase mortgages during the above period only. Any Insurance must cover both the Borrower and the Society and be for the market value of the property and term of the mortgage.
Hodge Purchase; We only accept search insurance for certain issues, please contact us if you wish to suggest that search insurance be obtained.

Re-Mortgage; Yes, if the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable. Section 9 of the handbook must also be satisfied.



Hodge Equity Release Purchase; We only accept search insurance for certain issues, please contact us if you wish to suggest that search insurance be obtained.

Re-Mortgage; Yes, if the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Section 9 of the handbook must also be satisfied.
Holmesdale Building Society yes, see 5.3.5 above.
HSBC UK Bank plc Yes, we will accept local authority search indemnity insurance at your own risk provided that the mortgage valuation of the property does not exceed £1 million and that you are satisfied the policy adequately protects us as mortgagee and that you give an unqualified Certificate of Title. At a minimum, the policy cover must be the open market value of the property. Other than local search indemnity insurance, no other search indemnity insurance is acceptable.
Intelligent Finance Yes
Investec Bank plc We accept search insurance for remortgages and only where there is an existing mortgage on the property.

The sum insured of the policy must be an amount at least equal to the mortgage advance.
ITL Mortgages Yes, at Conveyancer's own risk. You must certify that the tittle is good and marketable and provide and unqualified Certificate of Title. Any policy must cover successors in title or be readily assignable (with no onerous terms). You should advise the customer of the risk of proceeding with the indemnity insurance and they should only proceed with knowledge. In addition to the above, our requirements under section 9 of the UK Finance Handbook will still need to be met.


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. No.
Kensington Mortgage Company Ltd Unless the Mortgage Offer states otherwise:

Re-mortgages - Local Authority search insurance is acceptable provided instructed solicitors:

(a) arrange the insurance
(b) are satisfied that it adequately protects Kensington
(c) are able to certify that the title is good and marketable, and
(d) have explained to the borrower(s) the risks of proceeding on the basis of such insurance in place of a search.

Purchases – We will only accept local authority search insurance on purchase transactions provided contracts are exchanged before 1st April 2021 and that conditions (a) – (d) above are satisfied.
Kent Reliance (a trading name of OneSavings Bank plc) Yes, for re-mortgages only. You must ensure the search insurance adequately protects us and certify that the title is good and marketable.

For Limited Company applicants who are applying to purchase a Property owned by a Director or Directors of the Borrower we will accept search insurance if you confirm to us, in your opinion, the absence of searches is not a material risk to us.
Keystone Property Finance No
Landbay Partners Limited Search insurance is only accepted for remortgaging single self-contained properties. Search insurance must protect us adequately, the title must be good and marketable, and the certificate of title must be unqualified. All cases should be subject to due diligence.

We exclude:
1- Houses in multiple occupation
2- Multi Unit buildings
3- Purchase of any type (except a purchase between linked companies where the directors are the same, or a purchase by a SPV company from a property personally owned where the directors and owners are the same) .
4- Loans over £750,000.00 (NET - excluding fees)
5- Unencumbered properties

If searches are older than 6 months at completion, we are unable to accept a search validation indemnity insurance policy. A full new suite of searches must be carried out.
Landmark Mortgages Limited Yes, but the search insurance policy must protect us (see section 9 of the Lenders' Handbook).
Leeds Building Society Yes, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 of this handbook (paragraph 5.4.7) and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title and are satisfied that our interests are safeguarded and not adversely affected.
Legal & General Home Finance Ltd Yes, at your risk provided you are satisfied our interests are protected and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
LendInvest Yes, for both purchases and re-mortgage applications, adequate cover is arranged at the Conveyancer’s own risk. Please refer to us See 1.11a

NOT ACCEPTED ON:-

(1) Houses in multiple occupation (not applicable for Regulated Residential Lending as HMO is not an acceptable property type).
(2) Multi unit building.
(4) Any other searches.

If you are in any doubt as to whether search insurance is acceptable to us, please contact us on the details provided in 1.11a.
LiveMore Capital We accept search insurance providing it adequately protects us, that you can confirm that the title is good and marketable and can provide us with an unqualified Certificate of Title.

The search insurance policy should cover the following:
1. any issues that would be discovered from a search in Form LLC1 of the Register of Local Land Charges with a full set of enquiries of the appropriate local authority in Form Con 29 or any official forms in substitution thereof;
2. any issues that would be discovered from an enquiry to the relevant sewerage or water undertaker in respect of sewerage or water matters contained in Form Con 29DW or any official form in substitution thereof; and
3. any issues that would be discovered from an enquiry of the Coal Authority in respect coal mining matters contained in Form Con 29M or any official form in substitution thereof; and
4. any issues that would be discovered from an environmental search; a commons registration, Environment Agency, Cheshire brine, tin, limestone or other mining search; and any matter that would be discovered from a chancel search.

The insurance should cover LiveMore Capital Limited as mortgagee, and any of our successors in title and the indemnity limit should be the full value of the property. The cost of the insurance should be charged to the borrower.
Lloyds Bank plc pre fixed 20/40 Yes, subject to Section 9 of Part 1.
Lloyds Bank plc pre fixed 50/30/77 Yes, as approved by the acting solicitor.
Lloyds TSB Scotland plc Yes, as approved by the acting solicitor.
M&S Bank No
Magellan Homeloans Yes, subject to the requirements in Part 1 and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.



Manchester Building Society Yes, subject to firms complying with their own procedures and indemnity cover.
Market Harborough Building Society Yes - to cover the mortgage debt
Masthaven Bank Yes, provided that the protection is adequate.
Metro Bank plc Yes, we would accept search insurance for both purchases and remortgages subject to:
• The solicitor must ensure the policy arranged adequately protects us and the solicitor is satisfied they will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
• The sum insured of the policy is an amount at least equal to the mortgage advance
• The solicitor must advise the customer of the risks and limitations of the policy
• The policy must be able to be assigned
• The policy must be arranged by the solicitor acting for Metro Bank
Molo Finance For remortgages of single self-contained units, search insurance is acceptable provided that it adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you can certify that the title is good and marketable and provide us with an unqualified Certificate on Title.

For all cases where there is a problem obtaining a local search, delayed search insurance can be obtained if you are content that your advice and confirmation of good and marketable title is not fettered and you can provide a clear Certificate of Title we may accept, on a case by case basis, appropriate no search indemnity, and/or search delay/expiry insurance.

NOT ACCEPTED ON:-

(1) Houses in multiple occupation.
(2) Multi-unit building.
(3) Remortgages where the property is currently owned mortgage-free.
Monmouthshire Building Society Yes - Re-mortgage
No - Purchase
Please contact:
Sols@monbs.com

Lending Operations
Monmouthshire Building Society
Monmouthshire House
John Frost Square
Newport
NP20 1PX
Mortgage Agency Services No
Mortgage Express Yes provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Mortgage Express No 2  
MPowered Mortgages Yes to both owner occupier residential purchase and re-mortgage applications, provided adequate cover is arranged at Conveyancer’s own risk, however on a purchase, full searches are preferable.
In all circumstances we require clear Certificate of Title.
National Counties Building Society Remortgages - yes, provided the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Purchases – yes, provided
• the search insurance adequately protects us
• you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable, and
• you have explained to the borrowers the risks of proceeding on the basis of search insurance in place of a Local Authority search.
National Westminster Bank plc Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Nationwide Building Society For second-hand purchase transactions, we do not accept search insurance and we require a local search to be completed in all circumstances.

For remortgage and additional borrowing transactions (with the following exception), we do not require a local search to be completed and we do not require search insurance.
Exception – If the additional borrowing is to purchase land over which Nationwide’s charge will be registered then a local search is to be completed on the additional land, not forming part of the existing security.

For new build cases, where the local search carried out on the original plot of land has expired, we will accept search insurance to cover any new risks that may have emerged since the local search was carried out. Any risks identified by a current or expired local search should be referred to us.

For cases where there is a problem obtaining a local search, delayed search insurance can be obtained subject to the following:
• you are confident that all local authority consents or an equivalent competent person scheme certificate, obtained from an appropriate registered competent person, have been obtained for alterations/planning permission/building regulations; and
• there are no financial local land charges which will remain against the property on completion; and
• you have advised the borrower in writing of the limitation of any delayed search insurance policy; and
• any issues discovered are reported to the borrower/lender when the searches are obtained and appropriate remediation action taken.
Nedbank Private Wealth Ltd We do not accept search insurance.
New Street Mortgages Yes, for remortgages only, providing that the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Not accepted on purchases.
NRAM Ltd Yes, but the search insurance policy must protect us (see Section 9 of the Lenders' Handbook).
Paragon Buy to Let Mortgages For remortgages of single self-contained units, search insurance is acceptable for local authority searches only. This is provided that the local authority search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you can certify that the title is good and marketable and provide us with an unqualified Report on Title.

NOT ACCEPTED ON:-

(1) Houses in multiple occupation.
(2) Multi unit building.
(3) Purchases of any property type.
(4) Any other searches.

If you are in any doubt as to whether search insurance is acceptable to us, please contact us on the details provided in 1.11a.
Paragon Residential Owner-Occupied Mortgages Yes, search insurance is acceptable for local authority searches only and for remortgages only, provided the local authority search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable and provide us with an unqualified certificate of title.
NOT ACCEPTED ON PURCHASES OR FOR ANY OTHER SEARCHES.
Paratus AMC Ltd FOR REMORTGAGE TRANSACTIONS ONLY:
"No Search" indemnity insurance is acceptable provided:
a. you are satisfied that our interests are adequately safeguarded
b. the sum insured of the policy is an amount at least equal the open market value of the property
c. you can certify that the title is good and marketable and
d. you can provide a clear Certificate of Title
You must confirm in your Certificate of Title whether full searches have been obtained or whether a no search indemnity policy is being procured. A copy of the policy must be provided to us on completion.
PLEASE NOTE: No Search indemnity insurance is not accepted for remortgage transactions that relate to:
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)
• Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUB’s) are excluded and transactions

FOR PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS: COVID-19 - Special Interim measures

From April 2020 and ONLY for the duration of UK GOVERNMENT restrictions on movement and social distancing relating to COVID-19, if you are content that your advice and confirmation of good and marketable title is not fettered and you can provide a clear Certificate of Title we will accept search indemnity insurance in lieu of all property related searches (save for Land Registry Searches) and also will accept search insurance where the searches have recently expired. PLEASE NOTE: No Search indemnity insurance is not accepted for remortgage transactions that relate to:
• Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s)
• Multi-Unit Freehold Blocks (MUB’s) are excluded and transactions

The requirements are as for stated for Remortgage transactions above .
Parity Trust No
Pepper Money Yes for remortgages only, and providing that the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Not for purchase transactions.
Pepper Money (PUK) Yes for remortgages only, and provided the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Not for purchase transactions.
Perenna Yes, for re-mortgage applications, provided the search insurance is arranged at the conveyancer’s own risk.

You must ensure the search insurance arranged protects us, be satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable and provide an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Platform (a trading name of The Co-operative Bank p.l.c.) Yes, for remortgages only, providing that the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.

Not accepted on purchases.
Precise Mortgages (Charter Court Financial Services Ltd) Yes, for re-mortgages only. You must ensure the search insurance adequately protects us and certify that the title is good and marketable.

For Limited Company applicants who are applying to purchase a Property owned by a Director or Directors of the Borrower we will accept search insurance if you confirm to us, in your opinion, the absence of searches is not a material risk to us.
Principality Building Society Purchase; No
Re-Mortgage; Yes, if the search insurance adequately protects us and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable. Section 9 of the handbook must also be satisfied.
Reliance Bank Ltd Yes provided the cover is £1,000,000
Rooftop Mortgages Ltd We offer policies underwritten by London and European which have been arranged for the benefit of the Lender only. We will not accept other search insurance unless expressly stated in the special conditions of the Mortgage Offer.
Saffron Building Society Yes, for re-mortgages and purchases and at the Conveyancer’s own risk, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Sainsbury's Bank Yes for remortgages only, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 of this handbook (paragraph 5.4.7) and provided the search insurance adequately protects us and you can give an unqualified Certificate of Title.(excludes unencumbered properties)
Santander UK plc We will not accept search insurance in place of Land Registry searches but will accept search insurance in lieu of other required searches, but only at your own risk.
Scottish Building Society Yes, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 of this handbook (paragraph 5.4.7) and provided that you give an unqualified Certificate of Title and are satisfied that our interests are safeguarded and not adversely affected.
Scottish Widows Bank Yes.
Secure Trust Bank PLC Yes for re-mortgages only, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Skipton Building Society Yes, for purchases and re-mortgages at the Conveyancer's own risk. You must certify that the title is good and marketable and provide an unqualified Certificate of Title. Any policy must cover successors in title or be readily assignable (with no onerous terms). You should advise the customer of the risk of proceeding with the indemnity insurance and they should only proceed with knowledge. In addition to the above, our requirements under section 9 of the UK Finance Handbook will still need to be met.

St James Place Bank Yes.
State Bank of India UK The Search insurance is only accepted for remortgaging single self-contained properties subject to the following conditions below:

- That the solicitor can state that the title is good and marketable and can provide an unqualified Certificate of Title

- That the solicitor arranges the policy at their own risk

- That the search insurance fully protects State Bank of India

- The sum insured by the policy is at least equal to the mortgage advance (whichever is higher)

- All other conditions set out by the State Bank of India are met

- Not acceptable for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO), Multiunit freehold block and unencumbered properties.

If you have any questions, please refer to the lender as per section 1.11a
Swansea Building Society No
The Mortgage Business Yes
The Mortgage Lender Limited Not for residential (owner occupied) mortgages.

For Buy to Let mortgages we will accept search insurance for purchases and re-mortgages.

You must ensure the search insurance adequately protects us and certify that the title is good and marketable. Any search insurance policy should cover the following:

1 any issues that would be discovered from a search in Form LLC1 of the Register of Local Land Charges with a full set of enquiries of the appropriate local authority in Form Con 29 or any official forms in substitution thereof;
2 any issues that would be discovered from an enquiry to the relevant sewerage or water undertaker in respect of sewerage or water matters contained in Form Con 29DW or any official form in substitution thereof;
3 any issues that would be discovered from an enquiry of the Coal Authority in respect coal mining matters contained in Form Con 29M or any official form in substitution thereof;
4 any issues that would be discovered from a commons registration, Environment Agency, Cheshire brine, tin, limestone or other mining search; and
5 any matter that would be discovered from a chancel search.

The Mortgage Works For second-hand purchase transactions, we do not accept search insurance and we require a local search to be completed in all circumstances.

For remortgage transactions, we do not require a local search to be completed and we do not require search insurance.

For new build cases, where the local search carried out on the original plot of land has expired, we will accept search insurance to cover any new risks that may have emerged since the local search was carried out. Any risks identified by a current or expired local search should be referred to us.

For cases where there is a problem obtaining a local search, delayed search insurance can be obtained subject to the following:
• you are confident that all local authority consents or an equivalent competent person scheme certificate, obtained from an appropriate registered competent person, have been obtained for alterations/planning permission/building regulations; and
• there are no financial local land charges which will remain against the property on completion; and
• you have advised the borrower in writing of the limitation of any delayed search insurance policy; and
• any issues discovered are reported to the borrower/lender when the searches are obtained and appropriate remediation action taken.


The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us, you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line One Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us, you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Natwest one Account Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us, you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc One Account Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Virgin One Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Tipton & Coseley Building Society Yes provided that the search insurance adequately protects us, and you are satisfied that you will be able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Together Personal Finance Limited Yes as long as the conditions set out in 5.4.7 of Part 1 are satisfied.
Topaz Finance Ltd No.
TSB Bank plc Yes, as approved by the acting solicitor.
Ulster Bank Yes, providing the search insurance adequately protects us and you are able to certify that the title is good and marketable.
Vida Homeloans For re-mortgage transactions only, other than those under a Fee Saver product, of which the gross mortgage advance is up to and including £900k (excluding unencumbered properties), you are not required to carry out a Local Authority search or procure local search indemnity insurance. Vida Homeloans will arrange its own no search indemnity policy with Stewart Title. The fee will be deducted from the net advance released to the Solicitor & paid by Vida Homeloans to Stewart Title. This is administered by our Panel Manager, Smoove. Any queries relating to the policy should be directed to them on 01844 262392. You must confirm in the COT whether full searches have been obtained or whether the no search indemnity policy is required. Only the Stewart Title no search indemnity policy procured using this process is acceptable. We will not accept any other no search indemnity policy.
Virgin Money Yes, but the search insurance policy must protect us (see section 9 of the Lenders' Handbook).
Whistletree (a trading name of TSB Bank plc) Yes, as approved by the acting solicitor.
Yorkshire Bank Home Loans Ltd Yes - the minimum cover must be the open market value of the property.
Yorkshire Building Society Yes, subject to the requirements listed in Part 1 and provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Zephyr Homeloans For remortgages, search insurance is acceptable for local authority searches only subject to the exclusions listed below.
• Transactions of £1million or more.
• HMOs
• MUFBs.
The conveyancer must provide an unqualified Certificate of Title. The insurance policy must cover our successors in title