In this episode of IPSA Kind of Magic, we take a closer look at what happens when research for property can go wrong because while the processes behind local land charges and registrations might appear smooth on the surface, they’re not immune to human or technical error.

While administrative mistakes made by local councils or HM Land Registry (HMLR) might seem minor, they can lead to consequences for buyers, conveyancers, and other property professionals trying to navigate an already complex process. Naturally, having to amend them causes delays.

One cause of these mistakes can be the increasing use of desktop compilations by those not based in the local area. Non-local teams might not understand the nuance of certain land classifications, regional planning decisions, or even common naming conventions. Without local knowledge, details can easily be misfiled, misread, or misinterpreted. And when that happens, the data compiled into search results can be unreliable.

To add to the complexity, HMLR’s use of AI-style automation to compile council data further distances the process from meaningful human checks. The problem? These systems often accept and publish what they are given without context or challenge.

Should a mistake exist in the original council submission, it will likely go unnoticed and uncorrected until it causes a problem downstream.

For solicitors working to demonstrate due diligence on behalf of their clients, these issues translate into extra work, longer transaction times, and potential risk exposure. A seemingly simple transaction can suddenly become more complex when, for example, a planning restriction is applied to the wrong property, or a flood risk zone is listed in error.

Clients may face delays, additional costs, or even legal liabilities after purchase, all because of an error that no one initially spotted.
Mistakes can damage reputations for firms trying to deliver a seamless service. The effort to investigate, correct, and reprocess a search or registration detail is time-consuming and often frustrating, mainly when the responsibility lies with external sources who may not be quick to acknowledge or rectify the issue.
At IPSA, we continue to champion the use of professional search agents with genuine local expertise. Their role in spotting inconsistencies, flagging anomalies, and checking the fine print is more important than ever in a landscape that increasingly relies on automated and remote processing.

Come along to this revealing episode of IPSA Kind of Magic. It’s recorded live and available to listen back. Join Gareth Wax, producer and director, in discussion with Hamish McLay from Search & Convey Solutions, compilers of local searches for over twenty years. It will be aired initially, Wednesday at 1pm.

If there is something to tell us or you want to get in touch, feel free to reach out through hamish@ipsa-online.org.uk. We value your input and look forward to your participation!