Which statement best describes the purpose of an official search with priority?

• A. It confirms whether there have been changes to the register since the date of the copies supplied in the contract pack
• B. It confers a limited protection within which the transfer to the buyers must be registered
• C. It verifies the mortgage amount
• D. It confirms the buyer's identity

Answer: (B)

Official Search with Priority creates a temporary protection for the buyer by marking the buyer’s transfer as having priority on the title for a defined period. The solicitor arranges with the Land Registry to give the buyer’s transaction priority, so if completion occurs within that window, the buyer’s interests are safeguarded against later dealings that could otherwise cloud the title. This protection is limited to ensuring the transfer is registered within that priority period; it does not guarantee the entire title is free of issues, nor does it cover checking mortgage amounts or verifying the buyer’s identity.