Land Charges and Local Authority Searches - A Guide

This guide can help you if you need to find out what restrictions or obligations are recorded against a property and/or land using the Local Land Charges Register or a Local Search.

What is a Local Search?

A local search normally has two parts:

  • LLC1 search.       

A search of the local land charges register looking for all the charges that affect the property.

  • CON29 search.

This is a standard set of questions that cover planning history, building control application history, highways, Public Rights of Way and other matters such as planning enforcement issues and pending matters that could affect the property in some way.

There is a further form known as the CON29O which contains 19 optional questions. These cover other types of information including:

  • National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
  • Food safety notices
  • Common land

Your solicitor can advise you if these questions are sensible to ask.