Costs guide
Coal Mining Search (CON29M) Cost UK (2026)
Updated 29 May 2026
A coal mining search (CON29M) costs around £30 to £60 in 2026, produced using Coal Authority records and ordered by your conveyancer only when a property sits in a coal mining area. It reveals past and present mining, shafts, ground stability risk and any subsidence claims. It is the cheapest core search but only relevant to roughly a quarter of England's land area.
Coal mining search alongside the standard pack (UK, 2026)
| Search | Typical cost | When needed |
|---|---|---|
| Coal mining search (CON29M) | £30 to £60 | Coal mining areas only |
| Environmental search | £40 to £70 | Most purchases |
| Drainage and water search (CON29DW) | £40 to £75 | Most purchases |
| Local authority search (LLC1 + CON29) | £100 to £250 | Most purchases |
| Full conveyancing search pack | £250 to £450 | Most purchases |
What a coal mining search is
A coal mining search, the CON29M, is a report produced from Coal Authority records. Your conveyancer orders it only when the property lies within a defined coal mining reporting area, which covers a substantial part of England, Wales and Scotland but not everywhere.
It costs around £30 to £60, making it the cheapest of the core searches. Because it is area-specific, you will only see it on your bill if the property is in a former or current coalfield.
What the search shows
- Past, present and proposed underground and surface coal mining near the property.
- The location of recorded mine entries such as shafts and adits.
- Ground stability and subsidence risk linked to former workings.
- Any past subsidence damage claims and whether they were settled.
- Whether the property is in an area of historic gas emissions or mine water concern.
Who needs it
Anyone buying in a coal mining area needs it, and your conveyancer will know from the postcode whether the property falls in one. Areas with a mining history, such as parts of the Midlands, the North East, South Wales, Yorkshire and central Scotland, are the usual triggers.
If the property is nowhere near a coalfield, the search is not ordered and you save the fee. There is no point paying for a mining search on a property in an area with no mining history.
Is it worth it
Where it applies, yes. Subsidence from old workings and the cost of stabilising a mine shaft near a property can be serious, and the search at £30 to £60 is a small price to confirm the position before you buy.
A clear result is reassuring. A result that flags a mine entry or subsidence history near the property tells you to investigate further and may affect mortgage approval, insurance and price, all of which are far better known before exchange.
How to check the mining picture first
The CON29M is part of the £250 to £450 pack ordered after your offer is accepted, but you can get an early read on ground and mining risk before then so there are no surprises.
HomeBuyerCheck's £4.99 Premium report includes ground risk drawing on British Geological Survey data, which gives an early indication of subsidence and ground stability concerns for any address. It is not a substitute for the Coal Authority's CON29M, but it helps you understand the property's risk profile pre-offer, before committing to the full search pack.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a coal mining search cost in the UK?
A coal mining search (CON29M) costs around £30 to £60 in 2026. It is the cheapest of the core searches and is produced from Coal Authority records.
Do I always need a coal mining search?
No. It is only ordered when the property lies within a coal mining reporting area. If there is no mining history near the property, your conveyancer will not order it and you save the £30 to £60 fee.
Who produces the coal mining search?
It is produced using Coal Authority records. Your conveyancer or a search provider compiles the CON29M report for around £30 to £60 when the property is in a coalfield.
Is a coal mining search worth it?
Where the property is in a mining area, yes. At £30 to £60 it confirms subsidence and mine entry risk before you buy, which can affect mortgage, insurance and price. It is a small cost against those risks.
Can I check mining or ground risk before the search?
You can get an early indication. HomeBuyerCheck's £4.99 Premium report includes ground risk from British Geological Survey data, helping you understand subsidence risk pre-offer before paying for the Coal Authority's CON29M search.
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