Local land charges

Online local land charge service

Stamp Duty holiday

Our current search response times consistently meet the ten working days set by the government. Due to the unprecedented numbers of local authority searches resulting from the Stamp Duty holiday coming to an end on 30 June 2021 we can only guarantee searches received by 17 June 2021 will be responded to by 30 June.

Turn around: currently local land charge searches are being completed and returned within ten working days.

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 planning decisions, tree preservation orders and enforcement notices.
• Local authority search (form CON29): this search will provide responses on matters such as planning, highways and environmental

The response in respect of building regulations building work is subject to an application deposited with the authority on or after 1 January 2010.

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 on how to buy a home and how to sell a home.

How to apply for a local land charges search

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

We accept electronic payments online. 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 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 contact us if you need any further assistance on 01284 757656 or email land.charges@westsuffolk.gov.uk

Personal search requests

You can make a personal search request online using Find my nearest. Queries about the data can be checked against the information available on our website. Any remaining queries can be submitted online using the form provided below. We are sorry we cannot accept telephone queries about the raw and unchecked data.

• Personal search query form

For advice on how to use Find my nearest' facility, please see the Personal Search guidance notes

How to obtain information relating to local land charges form CON29 (other than through an official search request)

Postal applications

Postal searches should be sent to Local Land Charges, West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU –  please make cheques payable to West Suffolk Council.

VAT on CON29 elements of local authority searches

West Suffolk Council will be charging VAT on search applications (other than LLC1) from the 20 March 2017.

VAT receipts will be provided upon request.

Our fees from 1 April 2018

Fees quoted are inclusive of VAT where applicable