Official searches
During the process of buying a house (or perhaps land) it is essential that checks are conducted. These make sure there are no problems with the property that would result in a charge being sought from you as the owner.
Official forms used for this are:
- LLC1 for a search of the register
- LLC1 and a CON29 for a full search
Searches are normally organised by your solicitor or licensed conveyancer on your behalf. They can also be carried out by you as a personal search.
The Local Land Charges team at the council carries out all official searches covered by the Local Land Charges Act 1975. We guarantee comprehensive replies to the official LLC1 and CON29 enquiries from solicitors.
What's included in our search
Depending on the questions asked, the local land charges search will include information about:
- planning permissions and conditions
- tree preservation orders
- enforcement notices
- housing grants
Each search involves research in respect of:
- town planning
- statutory orders
- building regulations
- highways
- housing and environmental health matters
We request information from the relevant council services. When we receive the information we collate the replies. We will return the search to you on completion.
Our normal turnaround time is 10 working days. Particularly complex searches may take up to 15 working days.
LLC1 and CON29 searches
The search is in 3 parts:
The Official Certificate of Search form (LLC1) deals with all the registerable charges such as:
- financial charges
- improvement grants
- tree preservation orders
- conditional planning consents and agreements
The Enquiries of the Local Authority form (CON29) deals with issues such as:
- road schemes
- the planning history and various notices that affect the property
- ‘Warning Questions’, the answers to which you will not find on any of the statutory registers
Optional enquiries (CON29O) including question 22 about commons registrations.
How to submit a search
You can use our online form to submit a land charges search. We do not accept cheques or paper copies of the prescribed forms.
You will need to include the following when submitting a search:
- either an LLC1 form (search of the register only) or LLC1 and/or CON29 forms (for a full search)
- the correct postal address of the property
- an up-to-date scale plan showing the extent and location of the land to be searched clearly outlined in red
- debit or credit card details for payment
Fees
Fees are payable upon making the application for a search.
If a request for a search is cancelled before completion, fees in excess of an administration fee of £40 will be refunded.
| Search | Fee |
|---|---|
| Requisition (LLC1) - non vatable | £33 |
| Standard enquiries CON29 - including 20% VAT | £129 |
| Full search - LLC1 and CON29 | £162 |
| CON29O optional enquiries including Q22 commons registration - including 20% VAT | £19 |
| Additional properties, parcels and separate garages - including 20% VAT | £35 |
| Added enquiries - including 20% VAT | £34 |
| Cancellation fee (before completion or full fee applies) | £48 |
| Personal search | Free |
Method of payment
We do not accept cheques or paper copies of the prescribed forms. We only accept and return local land charge searches electronically.
This change has made for environmental reasons and so that we can provide a faster more efficient service.