Local land charge searches

We are working within 10 working days.

From 22 June 2022, South Norfolk Council will no longer provide a local land charges service.

After this date, South Norfolk’s Local Land Charges Register will have migrated to HM Land Registry's national register. You will be able to access their new digital service via the HM Land Registry Portal, Business Gateway or via GOV.UK's local land charges search service.

We will continue to respond to CON29 enquiries.

Read more information about the new digital local land charges service (from GOV.UK)

When you buy a property or land, it is advisable to have a local land charges search carried out. The councils keep a register of all local land charges that affect a property.

A search of the register is made to ensure that prospective purchasers are not caught unawares by any charge placed on the property which may be enforceable against owners.

Here are some examples of what a full local authority search will reveal, depending on what questions have been asked:

• the planning history of the site
• the planning policies which affect the site
• building control history
• enforcement notices
• tree preservation orders
• listed building status
• conservation areas
• grants

The search is normally organised by your solicitor or licensed conveyancer on your behalf as part of your conveyancing process.

We aim to turn around our searches in ten working days or sooner.

CON29 form – covers things like planning history of the property, planning enforcement, building control and highway information.

CON29(O) form (optional enquiries) – covers things like road proposals by private bodies, advertisements, houses in multiple occupation, hazardous substance consents and common land.

Search requests under Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) – we offer a free basic search service under EIR giving access to the information held by the Local Authority.  We aim to reply to these requests within 20 working days. 

Please note: legal forms or local authority stamped documents are not supplied with this type of search. The person carrying out the search is responsible for collating the necessary information.

For Broadland District Council only 

LLC1 form – covers obligations and restrictions on the property which would be binding by any owners or successive owners e.g. tree preservation order, listed building status and conservation areas.

Personal search – If you would like to do your own personal search, this is free of charge and is an inspection of the local land charges register.

For any further information please contact the Land Charges team on the details given below.