Local Land charges

 

The opening hours for the land charges department is 0900 - 1500hrs Monday to Friday.

A Local Land Charge Search is carried out when a property or a piece of land is being purchased, leased or valued in order to find out if there are any local authority matters affecting the land/property.

If you are thinking about buying a home in South Somerset, then you may well know that, as part of the house buying process, you are encouraged to submit a search on the property to identify any restrictions or legal obligations that may be associated with the property and imposed by a local authority.

Anyone can submit a search application, but most are received from Solicitors acting on behalf of their clients and is covered by the legal fees they charge, although you can, if you wish, request the search yourself.

Searches will take between 5 and 10 working days to process.

The search looks at twelve main areas, or 'charges' (restrictions) and checks whether or not any of these apply to the property you are intending to buy, these are:

  • General financial charges
  • Specific financial charges
  • Planning charges
  • Miscellaneous charges
  • Fenland ways maintenance charges
  • Land compensation charges
  • New towns charges
  • Civil aviation charges
  • Opencast coal charges
  • Listed building charges
  • Light obstruction notices
  • Drainage scheme charges

For an enquiry that relates to land ownership, please see the Land Registry website.

Request a search

There are a number of searches you can apply for, such as a CON29 Search, LLC1 Search, Personal Search, Quick Search and full official search.

Quick Search

It is now possible to submit your local authority search using the Quick Search form and sending it with a plan, clearly identifying the search site, by e-mailing it to Land Charges or fax to 01935 462666.

Personal search

The Local Land Charge Register is available for public inspection by appointment. To make an appointment, telephone Local Land Charges on 01935 462171/01935 462294. All appointments are allocated on a first come first served basis and, subject to resources and availability, within 48hrs. There is no fee for the inspection of the Register. Once the appointment is made the preferred method of receiving plans is to email us.Form for CON29R requests from Personal Search Companies

Personal Search Companies requesting CON29R information can complete the CON29 Search form and email it to Land Charges or by fax: 01935 462666 with a plan if not already supplied with the personal search request. Please complete one form per property. Payment, by cheque only, is to be received before the request can be processed, and may be made either by post or at the time of the personal search appointment.  Results will be returned by e-mail (preferably) or by fax, in three to five working days.

Solicitors can now access the service electronically through the National Land Information Service (NLIS).

This central hub distributes searches to the appropriate local authorities. Although you may still submit your searches by post, the preferred method of receiving search requests is through the NLIS hub. For more information about the electronic service please contact NLIS Hub Help Desk on 0870 240 6760 or see the  National Land and Information Service website

Fees and charges

Here you can find information on fees and charges for local land charges searches as well as prices for additional enquiries.

View fees and charges