Local Land Charge Searches

What is a Local Land Charges Search?

Local Land Charges were the creation of the Local Land Charges Act 1925 which was subsequently added to by the Local Land Charges Act 1975 and aims to protect buyers of the land from being caught out by obligations against them by Local Authorities under various statutes.

A Local Land Charges Search is required to inform a purchaser of the existence of obligations or 'charges', enforceable against successive owners by local authorities, or central government.

A 'charge' describes a burden imposed on land with which successive owners or occupiers of land and/or property must comply. The charges detailed on the Local Land Charges Register would not normally be disclosed by looking at the title deeds or inspecting the land or property itself. Local Land Charges may be of financial or non-financial nature.

This service is not to be confused with the Land Registry. If your enquiry relates to ownership of land you should direct yourself to the Land Registry at the address shown below or by visiting www.landregistry.gov.uk.

Land Registry, Fylde Office
Birkenhead House
East Beach
Lytham St. Annes
Lancashire FY8 5AB

Why is a Local Land Charges search performed?

When you buy a house (or perhaps land) you usually go through a number of checks to make sure there are no problems with the property that would result in a charge being sought from yourself as the owner.

As part of one of those checks it is normal to have a local land charges search undertaken. This is normally organised by your solicitor or licensed conveyancer on your behalf but can also be carried out yourself.

Depending on what questions have been asked the local land charges search will amongst other things identify:

• The planning history of the site and any queries arising over its use
• The planning policies which affect the site
• Any developments directly affecting the site
• And any Local Land Charge that would restrict use or could result in a charge being directed at the new owner of the property