A Local Land Charges search is required to ensure that a purchaser of land is not caught out by the existence of obligations or 'charges', enforceable against successive owners by councils or central government.

The word charge is used to describe a burden imposed on land, the most important factor being that the charge must be binding on successive owners or occupiers of land and/or property. The charges detailed on the Local Land Charges Register would not normally be disclosed by a perusal of the title deeds or by an inspection of the land or property itself.

What types of searches are there?

There are 3 types of searches:

1) Local Land Charges Register form LLC1

Consists of entries in the Local Land Charges Register only and is submitted on form LLC1. Form LLC1 is an official request, to the council asking for a search of the Local Land Charges Register to be conducted. We are under a statutory duty to comply with the request.

2) Full Search

Most LLC1 submissions are accompanied by a combination of another form known as the CON29.  The CON29 consists of two parts.  Part 1 is the Con29R which are the standard required questions.  Part 2 is the Con29O which has the optional enquiries (for which additional fees are payable).  The information needed to answer either part comes direct from various council departments.

Some of the questions on the CON29R are 'warning' questions and information given can, at the end of the process, end up on the Local Land Charges Register. All the information given will assist a purchaser in deciding whether to proceed with the proposed purchase.

It is in reply to an Official CON29R submission, that proposed road schemes within a certain distance of land or property will be revealed. Only by submitting an official CON29R form can you find out about any formal or informal notices affecting a specific property. Only an official CON29R will advise you of any proposed enforcement action, planning contravention or breach of condition notices.

Much of the information given by the council in reply to the CON29R can’t be obtained from anywhere else. The majority of the information is not available to a personal searcher.

As previously stated, in addition to the standard CON29R form there is the CON29O form which has further optional enquiries that may be asked depending on the type and location of the land or property. An additional fee is payable per additional enquiry. Whenever a property or parcel of land is being purchased we would strongly advise that an Official LLC1 and CON29R be submitted.

We are required by law to comply with an LLC1 request. However, the CON29 form is a contractual document, by accepting the fee we agree to answer some or all of the questions contained on the form.

3) Personal search

Anyone can make a personal search if they pay the fee. A personal search is only of the Local Land Charges Register and once the Register has been inspected, the personal search has been conducted.

If you are interested in carrying out a personal search it will help you to read our Personal Search Policy. The Personal Search Policy can be viewed and downloaded from the bottom of the page.

Appointments are available Monday to Friday at 10.00am, 11.00am, 2.00pm and 2.30pm. To make an appointment please call the section on 01296-585039.  A plan of the area to be searched must be emailed or faxed in advance of your visit. Email: landcharges@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk.  Fax: 01296 585585.

Cancellation policy

A search can be cancelled up to 3.00pm on the day it is received into our office. Any cancelled searches will have their submitted paperwork and cheque returned that day. After 3.00pm we are unable to cancel searches, due to the exchange of information with others e.g. the County Council. Although we can stop searches after this time no refund can be made, and our recommendation is to allow the search to continue to be processed.

Personal Searches - Any cancellations must be made by 5pm on the day prior to the appointment otherwise the full amount will remain payable.

Date Previewed: 21/11/08