Request a local land charges search

A local land charge is a restriction on a piece of land or property that can limit its use or bind the owner to a payment of a sum of money.

Land charges can be attached to land or property because of:

• road decisions
• planning decisions
• tree preservation orders

They may also be attached due to roads and public rights of way, outstanding notices and assets of community value, contaminated land, plus many other reasons.

As part of the conveyancing process, you will need a Local Land Charges search.

Types of search

There are two main types of search:

1. Full or ‘official’ search – this is carried out by us
2. Personal search – this is carried out by a personal search agent, instructed by you

Full, or 'official' search

We carry out all official searches covered by the Local Land Charges Act 1975. We are able to collect complete and comprehensive information from lots of different departments including planning and building control and bring it together.

A full search is made up of two searches:

• Local land charges search (form LLC1) This is a search of the Local Land Charges Register. It shows any charges affecting the land or property, such as planning decisions and tree preservation orders, and details of any money owed to the council by previous owners.
• Local authority search (form CON29) This search reveals any planning, highway or environmental issues that either affect the land or property now, or could affect it in the future. It includes an optional section (form CON29O) which covers any common land enquiries such as public paths and pollution orders. The majority of the information comes from other departments within the council.

Personal search

A personal search is a limited inspection of the local land charges register. It is normally carried out by a personal search agent acting on behalf of a third party for the potential buyer.