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Answers for England and Wales

Question: 5.3.5. Does the lender accept personal searches and, if yes, what are the lender's requirements?

Lender	Answer
Accord Mortgages Ltd	Yes; these are acceptable without limitations (subject to the requirements listed in Part 1) provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Adam & Company	Yes, provided they are undertaken by a reputable search agent who has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Adam & Company International	Yes, provided they are undertaken by a reputable search agent who has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Aldermore Bank PLC	Yes, when forms part of HIP otherwise a full Local Authority search is required. Personal searches are carried out at the solicitors' own risk provided adequate insurance is in place.
Allied Irish Bank (GB), a trading name of AIB Group (UK)	Refer to Legal & Central Securities, GB
Aviva Equity Release UK Ltd	Yes, to personal searches carried out by firms registered under CoPSO.
Bank of Cyprus UK	Yes - provided you can give a clear Certificate of Title.
Bank of Ireland (UK) plc	Only personal searches carried out by firms registered under The Search Code, monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board.
Bank of Ireland as Bank of Ireland Mortgages	We accept only personal searches carried out by firms registered under The Search Code, monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board.
Bank of Scotland Beginning A	Yes. Our requirements as to such searches are as set out in paragraphs 5.3.7 of part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted on a term greater than 35 years.
Bank of Scotland Beginning O	Yes. Our requirements as to such searches are as set out in paragraphs 5.3.7 of part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted on a term greater then 35 years.
Barclays Bank as The Woolwich	Yes, at the Conveyancer's own risk
Barclays Bank Plc as Standard Life Mortgages	Yes, seraches must satisfy requirements of paragraphs 5.3.7 and 5.3.8.
Barnsley Building Soc, a trading name Yorkshire Building Soc	Yes, these are acceptable without limitations (subject to the requirements listed in Part 1) provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Basinghall Finance plc	Yes, but only at your risk.
Beverley Building Society	YES BUT PLEASE REFER TO JAN SCROWSTON BEFORE PROCEEDING
Birmingham Midshires	Yes, our requirements as to such searches are as set out in paragraphs 5.2.6.1 and 5.2.6.2 of part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted on a term greater than 35 years.
Bradford & Bingley Plc	Only personal searches carried out in accordance with the Search Code monitored by the PCCB
Britannia, a trading name of The Co-operative Bank plc	We only accept personal searches carried out by firms registered under The Search Code, monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board
Capital Home Loans	Only personal searches carried out under Council of Property Search Organisations (COPSO) Search Code.
Chelsea Building Society (a trading name of Yorkshire BS)	Yes; these are acceptable without limitations (subject to the requirements listed in Part 1) provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Cheshire Building Society	Yes, only personal searches carried out in accordance with Search Code of the Property Codes Compliance Board.
Church House Trust	No
Clydesdale Bank plc	For local authority searches, yes, provided the firm has adequate professional indemnity insurance. This will be treated as being the case if the firm is registered with the Council of Property Search Organisations and the firm states that it complies with the Code of Practice for Compilers or Search retailers as the case may be. Yes providing the requirements under sections 5.2.6 bullet one and two 5.3.8 in Part 1 are satisfied. We do NOT accept personal searches in respect of other statutory sesrches or other utility undertakings.
Co-operative Bank plc	We only accept personal searches carried out by firms registered under The Search Code, monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board
Coutts & Co	Yes, provided they are undertaken by a reputable search agent who has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Coutts Finance Co	Yes, provided they are undertaken by a reputable search agent who has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Coventry Building Society	Yes
Darlington Building Society	Yes, search firm must subscribe to the Search Code, monitored by the PCCB.
DB UK Bank Ltd	No
Derbyshire Building Society	Yes providing the requirements under sections 5.3.7 and 5.3.8 in Part 1 are satisfied.
Derbyshire Home Loans	Yes, provided 5.3.7 of Part 1 is complied with
Dudley Building Society	Yes, providing the rquirements under section 5.3.7 are satisfied.
Dunfermline Building Society	Yes providing the requirements under sections 5.3.7 in part 1 are satisfied.
Earl Shilton Building Society	Refer to Mortgage Dept at Head Office - Earl Shilton 01455 844 422
Ecology Building Society	Yes, search firm must subscribe to the Search Code, monitored by PCCB
Furness Building Society	Yes, subject to the solicitor ensuring adequate indemnity insurance is in place. The search code monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board only.
GE Money Home Lending Ltd	No, but the conveyancer may do so at own risk
Godiva Mortgages Ltd	Yes
Halifax	Yes, subject to the requirements set out in paragraph 5.3.7 bullets one and two of Part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted on a term greater than 35 years.
Halifax Loans Ltd	Yes. Our requirements as to such searches are as set out within paragraphs 5.5.7 of Part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted over a term greater than 35 years.
Harpenden Building Society	Refer
Hinckley and Rugby Building Society	Yes, subject to your own risk, provided that the Personal Search company is registered under the Independent Property Codes Compliance Board, ensuring that they comply with the Search Code monitored by the PCCB, and the appropriate indemnity is in place,
Holmesdale Building Society	yes as an exception when covered by suitable insurance indemnity and providing cover extends to purchasers lenders. For personal serach carried out by firms registered under particular code of practice we accept searched carried out in accordance with the Search Code monitored by the PCCB.
HSBC Bank plc	For local authority searches, yes, provided the firm is registered with the Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) and provided the firm has adequate professional indemnity insurance and the firm states that it complies with the Code of Practice for Compilers or Search retailers as the case may be
ING Direct	Yes, at your own risk.
Intelligent Finance	Yes, subject to the requirements set out in paragraph 5.3.7 bullets one and two of Part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted on a term greater than 35 years.
Irish Permanent International	No.
ITL Mortgages	Yes - provided the Search Agent subscribe to the Search Code, monitored by the PCCB
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.	No.
Kensington Mortgage Company Ltd	No, we do not accept all personal searches without limitations. Our requirements as to personal searches are as set out in paragraphs 5.3.7 bullet one and two of Part 1. Personal searches are carried out at the solicitors' own risk provided adequate insurance is in place.
Kent Reliance (a trading name of OneSavings Bank plc)	No
Leeds Building Society	Searches carried out in accordance with the Search Code monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board. Ultimatley, if personal searches are carried out, it is at your own risk.
Lloyds TSB Bank plc-C&G accounts beginning 500000	Yes, subject to the requirements set out in paragraphs 5.3.7 bullet one and two of Part 1.
Lloyds TSB Bank plc-C&G branded roll numbers pre-fixed 20/	Yes, subject to the requirements set out in paragraph 5.3.7 bullets one and two of Part 1.
Lloyds TSB Bank plc-non-C&G mortgages	Yes, subject to the requirements set out in paragraph 5.3.7 bullet one and two of Part 1.
Lloyds TSB Bank plc-roll numbers pre-fixed 40/	Yes subject to the requirements set out in paragraphs 5.3.7 bullet one and two of Part 1.
Lloyds TSB Scotland plc	We accept personal searches carried out by qualified agents with suitable indemnity insurance.
Manchester Building Society	Yes, subject to firms complying with their own procedures and indemnity cover
Market Harborough Building Society	Yes
Metro Bank plc	No.
Monmouthshire Building Society	Personal searches must satisfy the requirements of paragraphs 5.3.7 and 5.3.8. Contact Lending Dept. Head Office.
Mortgage Agency Services	No
Mortgage Express	Only personal searches carried out in accordance with the Search Code monitored by the PCCB.
Mortgage Express No 2
Mortgages plc, Mortgages 1 Ltd	Yes, but only if the person conducting the search has indemnity cover and ar Law Society registered only.
National Counties Building Society	Yes. Search firm must subscribe to the Search Code, monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board.
National Westminster Home Loans Ltd	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Nationwide Building Society	Yes providing the requirements under sections 5.3.7 in Part 1 are satisfied. In addition, you may accept Chancel Repair Insurance on our behalf without referral, if you are satisfied that it provides adequate protection.
New Life Mortgages Ltd	Yes. Searches carried out in accordance with the Search Code and monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board
Northern Rock (Asset Management) plc	Yes, but the conveyancer does so at their own risk.
Northern Rock plc	Yes, but the conveyancer does so at their own risk.
Oakwood Homeloans Ltd	No.
Paragon Mortgages (2010) Ltd	No
Paragon Mortgages Ltd	No. All searches carried out/accepted by the conveyancer are carried out/accepted entirely at the conveyancer's risk.
Platform Home Loans Ltd	No.
Precise Mortgages (Charter Court Financial Services Ltd)	Yes - provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.
Principality Building Society	Yes, provided these comply with current regulation and if the search firm subscribe to the Search Code monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board
Prudential Banking plc	No
Rooftop Mortgages Ltd	No.
Saffron Building Society	Yes - search firm must subscribe to the Search Code monitored by the PCCB.
Santander UK plc	Yes. Personal searches must satisfy the requirements of paragraph 5.3.7 and 5.3.8.
Santander UK plc for Alliance & Leicester mortgages only	Yes, subject to the following. Search firm must subscribe to the CoPSO Code of Practice for Property Search Organisations, monitored by the Property Codes Compliance Board.
Scottish Building Society
Scottish Widows Bank plc	Yes.
Skipton Building Society	Yes, at your risk, if time does not permit an official search.
St James Place Bank
Swansea Building Society	Yes - provided the search firm subscribes to the Search Code and is monitored by the PCCB
The Mortgage Business	Yes. Our requirements as to such searches are as set out in paragraphs 5.2.6.1 and 5.2.6.2 of part 1. In addition a Chancel Repair Liability Insurance term of 35 years is acceptable where the mortgage is to be conducted on a term greater than 35 years.
The Mortgage Works	Yes, firms registered under Council of Property Search Organisations.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages	Yes provided the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line One	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc First Active	Yes, provided the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Natwest one Account	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc One Account	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear certificate of Title.
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Virgin One	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
The Tipton & Coseley Building Society	Search firm must subscribe to the Search Code, monitored by PCCB.
Topaz Finance plc	The Search Code monitored by the PCCB.
UCB Home Loans Corporation Ltd	We will accept personal searches provided they are carried out in accordance with the Search Code monitored by the PCCB.
Ulster Bank Ltd	Yes, provided that the search agent has adequate professional indemnity insurance and you can still give a clear Certificate of Title.
Wave	No.
Yorkshire Bank Home Loans Ltd	For Local authority saerches, yes,provided the firm has adequate professional indemnity insurance. This will be treated as being the case if the firm is registered with the Council of Property search Organisations and the firm states that it complies with the Code of Practice for Compilers or Search retailers as the case may be. We do not accept personal saerches in respect of other statutory searches or other utility undertskings.
Yorkshire Building Society	Yes, these are acceptable without limitations (subject to the requirements listed in Part 1) provided you give an unqualified Certificate of Title.