Land searches

Searches are carried out to protect purchases of land or property so that they are not caught unawares by obligations that are enforceable by local authorities.

Every local authority is required to hold a register of charges brought into existence by themselves or another originating authority.
There are various charges such as:

Financial Charges
Compulsory Purchase orders
Environmental Health Notices
Building Control Notices
Enforcement Notices
Legal or Highways Agreements
Tree Preservation Orders
Listed Building or Conservation Area.

Conditions in Planning Permission imposed before 1 August 1977 are no longer registrable.

Submission of a search

You should include forms LLC1 and CON29 in duplicate at the same time, if answers to both are required together with the correct remittance. All searches must be accompanied by two plans with the property to be searched clearly outlined in red.

Local land charges fees (from 1 April 2009)

CON29 (R) Standard Enquiries and LLC1

Part 1 - enquiries

One parcel of land - Residential Properties £120.00
One parcel of land -Commercial Properties £140.00
Additional parcels of land - each adjoining parcel £17.00

CON29 (R) Standard Enquiries Only

One parcel of land - Residential Properties £90.00
One parcel of land - Commercial Properties £110.00

Con 29 (O) Part 2 Enquiries

Each optional enquiry (Part 2) £15.50
Each additional enquiry (Solicitors own) £27.00

Form LLC1 only £30.00

Contact us

Tel: 0115 907 1145 or 0115 907 1146
Fax: 0115 907 2259

Access to raw or unrefined data (replies to CON29 questions)

The Government is looking towards local authorities providing access to the information used in compiling replies to enquires of local authorities (CON29 questions) - ‘raw’ or ‘unrefined’ data.

We do not currently provide personal searchers access to the raw data used in compiling replies to the CON29 enquiries. This is because the raw data is not compiled in easy to access data-sets. Much of the information is in manual form interspersed with other data which is of a private and confidential nature and covered by the Data Protection Act. There is also the absence of final guidance from the Government on charging. We are working towards making this information available in the future.

Once available the information will be provided on payment of any fee (set by us after taking into account any relevant guidelines) which will be in line with the charges made to the Land Charges Department for this information. At this stage it is envisaged that the information will be obtained from the relevant service area by the person making the search on an appointment only basis and payment of any fee.

The Home Information Pack Regulations 2007 provide for a transitional period where this information might not be available (until 1st April 2008). During this period, where they are unable to obtain information, private search companies will continue to be able to use their insurance policies subject to certain conditions set out in the regulations.

NLIS

NLIS is the National Land Information Service. It is an online service where search information can be received and returned electronically. There are three levels of NLIS and we are at level two receiving searches and payments electronically. We are working towards gaining Level three receiving and returning searches electronically.

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