As anyone who has ever bought a house or property will know, it is an important part of the conveyancing process to make a Local Authority search.
The 'Local Land Charges search' is normally carried out by your Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer. The Local Land Charges search includes questions which you will need to know the answers to before you purchase a property. For instance the search reveals whether the Council maintains the highway outside your house, recent planning details for the property and amongst other things whether the property is a Listed Building or within a Conservation Area.
When the Local Land Charges Search is returned, you will be advised by your Solicitor or Licensed Conveyancer of the results prior to you signing any contract.
The Local Land Charges section does not hold any details on land ownership or where the property boundaries lie, such enquiries should be directed to the HM Land Registry at Plymouth. Our Property Services Section will be able to tell you whether land is owned by South Hams District Council, please telephone on 01803 861355. It is also important to note that a Local Land Charges search is only carried out on the property being searched and not on adjacent properties.
The Search Forms
There are three search forms (available from any legal stationers) that make up a full Local Land Charges search, each form can be submitted singularly if required.
- Form LLC1 Requisition and Certificate of Search
- Form CON 29R Enquiries of Local Authority (2007)
- Form CON29O Optional Enquiries of Local Authority (2007)
LLC1 Certificate
The LLC1 form is a statutory document and reveals any planning, environmental, financial or highway restrictions recorded on the property. A fee is levied for the issue of this certificate which are detailed on the fees schedule.
Form CON 29REnquiries of Local Authority (2007)
The CON29R form contains a list of questions which have been compiled by the Law Society, the Association of District Councils, the Association of Local Land Charges Officers and various other agencies in consultation.
The replies provide information, including any pending restrictions for the use of the land, which is very useful information when determining the purchase of a property. A fee is levied for responding to these enquiries which are detailed on the fees schedule.
The CON 29R form among other matters covers the following:
- Development Plans
- Maintenance of Roads
- Road Schemes
- Outstanding Notices
- Entries in the Planning Register
- Enforcement Action
- Contaminated Land
Form CON29O Optional Enquiries of Local Authority (2007)
The CON29O form includes a range of additional optional enquiries, relating to things such as public footpaths, bridleways, proposed parking restrictions etc. An additional fee is payable for each optional enquiry, please see our fees schedule.
Please note that we are unable to answer Question 4 on the CON29O form
Additional Enquiries
Additional enquiries are those questions which are not covered in ony of the above detailed forms but includes something that your Solicitor may wish to ask on your behalf. An additional fee is payable for each additional question, please see our fees schedule.
