Property - searches
How we provide this service
Local Land Charges provide the information that solicitors request when you are moving house. This is known as a local search. We also hold certain information in a register which is available for public inspection.
It is important to have a search carried out when buying a property as it is designed to protect prospective purchasers by informing them of, for instance, plans to build a new road in the vicinity, whether the highway fronting the property is public or privately maintained, to let them know about planning permissions/conditions, tree preservation orders, enforcement notices, or housing grants etc, which may affect the property to be purchased is supported by Planning and Development, Planning.
What to do to get this service
Official forms, known as an LLC1 and CON 29, are completed by a solicitor and sent to us together with the correct fee. These are then processed and a completed search is returned to the solicitor within 10 working days.
What to do to get this service continued
A search may be requested electronically via NLIS. Contact www.nlis.org.uk for further information.
Who can apply?
Any member of the public but it is usually done through a solicitor.
How much will it cost?
Standard Search Fee - £115.00
Part II Questions - £10.00 each
Own Enquiries - £20.00 each
Expedited Fee - £27.00 in addition to the standard fee
There are basically two parts to a Local Search. The first part is known as the 'basic search' and our current fee is £115. This part of the search asks standard questions such as planning or building control history, any agreements that county highways may have with the owners of the land in question and information from Environmental Health about any possible contamination. The second part is what is known as 'part two enquiries'. Part two enquiries consist of a set number of questions to which any combination may be asked. Each question costs £10 and there are a total of 17 set questions. A solicitor may also ask any number of their own additional questions to which we charge £20 per question. The expedition fee will guarantee the search is returned to the solicitor in three working days.
Anyone can conduct their own search and we charge a total of £11.00 to conduct the initial research and £1.50 per copy of each decision in the Land Charges Register.
How long will I have to wait for a response?
10 working days maximum
3 working days for an expedited search
How long will the whole process take?
We have a Government target to complete all searches within 10 working days. However, South Holland Land Charges team currently convert 99% of the searches they receive within five working days.
Links to forms, leaflets and websites providing more information
www.nlis.org.uk
What do I need to provide?
Official forms known as an LLC1 and CON 29. Four copies of a plan showing the property to be searched on clearly outlined and the correct fee.
Common Questions
Q. What is a Local Authority Search?
A. Local Land Charges Registers and searches of them were introduced by the Land Charges Act 1925. Every time a property or piece of land is purchased a request for a search is made, usually by a solicitor. The Local Land Charges Register was designed to ensure that purchasers of land or property were made aware of the existence of obligations or restrictions (known as "charges") which are binding on successive owners of the property or land. A search will identify any matter affecting the property or land which is registered as a Local Land Charge for example Tree Preservation Orders, Conservation Areas, financial charges where the Council is able to recover money owed to it or conditions imposed on the property when planning permission was granted.
Q. How long does a Local Authority search take?
A. A maximum of 10 working days.
Q. How much does a search cost?
A. A basic search costs £115.00, Part II questions cost £10.00 each and your own additional questions cost £20.00.
Q. Do you have an urgent search service?
A. Yes. We can complete your search within 3 working days for an additional fee of £27.00.
Q. How many plans do you require?
A. Four. The boundary of the property or land to be searched on must be clearly marked.
Q. Do you answer drainage enquiries?
A. No. Please contact Geodesys, PO Box 485, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, PE29 6YB or
DX 123730, Huntingdon 6. Telephone: 01480 323889.
Q. Can I obtain copies of the original planning permissions?
A. Yes. A fee of £12.00 per planning permission is charged.
Q. Does the Council have information about my legal property boundaries?
A. No. You need to look at your deeds or contact your solicitor.
Q. Do you hold records of land ownership?
A. No. You need to contact HM Land Registry at Earle House, Portland Street, Kingston Upon Hull, HU2 8JN. Telephone: 01482 223244.
Q. Can you tell me if a particular piece of land is owned by the Council?
A. Yes, Please contact Legal and Member Services.
Q. What is the difference between an Official Search and a Personal Search?
A. An Official Search is usually requested by a solicitor acting on your behalf. It will be certified by the Council and the Local Land Charges Act 1975 makes provision for compensation should anything go wrong. The CON 29 form can only be completed by trained staff who have access to the information required. Some of the information includes approved schemes that have not yet been implemented for example highways schemes. A Personal Search can be conducted by any member of the public, or by a Personal Search company, acting on their behalf, by visiting the Council's Offices. An appointment must be made at least 24 hours in advance. A search may be made of the Land Charges Register but it will not include CON 29 information nor will it be certified.
Q. If we need to carry out a search of The Register of Common Land and Town and Village Greens who do we contact?
A. Lincolnshire County Council. Telephone: 01522 552222.
Q. What is the fee for Commercial property searches?
A. We charge the same fee for residential and commercial properties - £115.00.
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Contact Details
If you have any queries about the information provided above, or require further information, please contact Customer Services on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk.
