Personal searches

About personal searches

If you are buying a house or land you should check that there are no problems with the property. Your solicitor or licensed conveyor will usually do this for you however you can do it yourself.

A personal search is an inspection of the Local Land Charges Register. This can be carried out by anyone and is free.

Be aware that when you make a request to inspect the Local Land Charges Register you will be provided with data as it is produced by our system. We cannot answer any queries arising from searches undertaken by personal search agencies. If your agent has used a personal searcher on your behalf you will need to contact them directly.

If you rely on a personal search, remember that any information obtained is not covered by Section 10(3) of the Local Land Charges Act 1975, which relates to compensation for loss. The only way to receive this information is to submit the official LLC1 and CON29 forms.

Local land charges register

The local land charges register is available at:

Land Charges Section
Time Square
Market Street
Bracknell
RG12 1JD

The register contains information about charges relating to a property. These can include information about:

  • planning decisions
  • tree preservation orders
  • roads
  • conservation areas
  • listed buildings

How to book a personal search

You can book to conduct a personal search by appointment on Monday to Friday between 10:30am and 4pm.

Book your request at least 48 hours in advance and send us an appropriate property address and site plan to which the search relates. 

To book, email us at land.charges@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or call us on:

  • 01344 351778
  • 01344 351779
  • 01344 351780

We do not have an obligation to answer any supplementary enquiries when a person is making a personal search.

Where to find other information

Building regulations and planning information

You can view building regulation and planning information online:

Tree preservation orders

Trees may be protected under the Town & Country Planning Act by a tree preservation order (TPO).

To get a copy of a TPO, quote the TPO number not the TLC reference code when you apply.

Sustainable drainage systems

Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 has not been brought in to force. The council is not required to keep any records about sustainable drainage systems, maintenance responsibilities or surface water drainage charges for any individual properties. We therefore cannot answer question 3.3 of the CON29 form.

Community infrastructure levy

The community infrastructure levy is a charge on new development. It is payable to the council. 

Question 3.10 of the CON29 form relates to the community infrastructure levy.

Ownership and boundary enquiries

We do not deal with enquiries about ownership and boundaries. Contact HM Land Registry

Drainage enquiries

Thames Water deals with all drainage enquiries.

Highway enquiries

The council provides written or verbal responses to requests for information about highways and roads. This includes adopted highways, ancient highways, and any dedication information.

Make a highways enquiry

Environmental health

Visit our environmental health pages for information on:

  • contaminated land
  • houses in multiple occupation
  • pollution
  • noise abatement
  • environmental protection
  • food safety
  • hedgerows

Public rights of way

A public right of way is a route which the public has a legal right to use.