Local land charges

Changes to our online local land charge service

Responses to LLC1 applications and personal searches of the Local Land Charge Register will be obtained through the HM Land Registry’s national centralised register. You will be able to access the new digital service through HM Land Registry Portal, Business Gateway and on GOV.UK - Search for local land charges from HM Land Registry. For more information, visit GOV.UK – Guidance - Local Land Charges Programme

West Suffolk Council will continue to provide replies to CON29 applications. It is important to remember to only submit the required fee plus any additional parcels, optional questions and additional question fees as required when submitting a CON29 enquiry.

What is a local land charge?

A local land charge is any outstanding claim, restriction or information affecting a property or piece of land. Your solicitor will usually carry out a local land charges search when you buy a house. It is made up of two elements:

• local land charges search (form LLC1): this shows local land charges affecting the land or property such as conditional planning consents, tree preservation orders and enforcement notices. You will be able to access the new digital service through HM Land Registry Portal, Business Gateway and on GOV.UK - Guidance - Local Land Charges Programme
• local authority search (form CON29): this search will provide responses on matters such as planning, highways and environmental. West Suffolk Council will continue to process CON29 applications.

How to apply for a local authority search (CON29)

Our online service is a fast and efficient way of submitting your search applications. Use the link below and follow the instructions.

Payment should be made at the time the search is ordered through our online service. BACS payment can be arranged by contacting us on 01284 757656 or emailing land.charges@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Please make sure that you use the address search facility where possible, rather than copying and pasting the information, which may delay your result.

Please ensure that any attachments are less than 4MB in size.

Please be aware that your land charge search will not be accepted without full payment.

We will only answer optional enquiry Q22 of CON 29O if it is submitted with a full CON29 application. Individual Q22 requests (without a full CON29 application) should be submitted to Suffolk County Council, land.charges@suffolk.gov.uk, who hold this information.

Please email land.charges@westsuffolk.gov.uk if you need any further assistance.

Turnaround time: completed and returned within ten working days.

Personal search requests

From 21 July 2022 personal searches of the Local Land Charge Register (LLCR) will be obtained from the new digital service through HM Land Registry Portal, Business Gateway and on GOV.UK - Search for local land charges from HM Land Registry. For more information visit GOV.UK - Guidance - Local Land Charges Programme

For further information in respect of CON29 enquiries see our information relating to local land charges form CON29 guidance.

Our fees (inclusive of VAT)

Guidance on how to buy and sell a house

In 2019 The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published guidance for the general public at:

• GOV.UK - Guidance - How to buy a home
• GOV.UK - Guidance - How to sell a home.