What is a Local Authority Search

What is a Local Land Charge

An obligation or limit on the property that is enforceable against future owners, such as the conditions in a planning consent, tree preservation order, listed building or enforcement notice. These must be registered by the Local Authority in the Local Land Charges Register. Charges can affect both residential and non-residential properties, including land.

What is the Local Land Charges Register

The Local Land Charges Register is a statutory Register, maintained by the Local Authority. It is the duty of the Local Authority to register charges brought into existence by them or by another originating authority. Failure to register or disclose a charge does not affect its enforceability.

What is not included within the register

• Nothing that is personal to the current owner of the property
• Conditions on a Planning Consent before 1 August 1977.

Official Local Land Charges Search

The Local Land Charges section carries out all official searches covered by the Local Land Charges Act 1975 and Local Land Charges Rules 1977 guaranteeing comprehensive replies to the official LLC1 and CON29 enquiries.

A Local Authority Search provides you with complete information of any planning information, restrictions, environmental health issues and current road traffic schemes which may affect your property.

The Law Society, which regulates solicitors, encourages the use of official searches and considers that alternative personal searches of the statutory register, disclosing only limited information, should only be undertaken with the approval of the client when time does not permit official searches. You are advised to confirm with your solicitor that an official search has been undertaken and to inspect the Certificate of Official Search.

Copies of Planning and Building Control Notices

All official full searches returned will include any decision notices from Planning since 1974 and from Building Control since 1990.

Added Value Information

This includes details such as Aerial Photography of your property and information will include waste and recycling days, ward, parish, local schools and other information which may be helpful to the new resident.

Do I need to submit a location plan

Please submit a plan showing the location and boundaries of the property to be searched against. This will ensure that all necessary information is revealed.

If you do not have a location plan, please contact the Land Charges Department.