STOP PRESS: We are aware of issues with security filings at Companies House not showing up on the charges register in some cases. We suggest registering security promptly and checking that it is showing up on the register, as well as cross checking the charges register against the filings history as part of any due diligence checks. See also Practice Note: Erroneous satisfaction of charge filings—what are the priority implications?

The lender's lawyers will conduct due diligence on the borrower(s), any guarantors and any third party security providers (the obligors) at the start of the transaction.

Immediately prior to completion (ie funding), the lender will want comfort that nothing has changed in respect of the financial or corporate position of the obligors since its initial due diligence. On the morning of completion, the lender's lawyers typically carry out certain searches on the obligors for this purpose.