Local Land Charge and Highway Search

Introduction

We deal with two types of land charges. A Local Land Charge Search (regarding property and land), and a Highways Land Charge Search (regarding highways in Somerset).

A Local Land Charge Search is carried out when a property or a piece of land is being purchased, leased or valued in order to find out if there are any local authority matters affecting the land or property.

If you are thinking about buying a home in Somerset, as part of the house buying process you are encouraged to submit a search on the property to identify any restrictions or legal obligations that may be associated with the property and imposed by a local authority.

Anyone can submit a search application, but most are received from solicitors acting on behalf of their clients and are covered by the legal fees they charge, although you can, if you wish, request the search yourself (personal search).

The search looks at twelve main areas, or ‘charges’ (restrictions) and checks whether or not any of these apply to the property you are intending to buy, these are:

• General financial charges
• Specific financial charges
• Planning charges
• Miscellaneous charges
• Fenland ways maintenance charges
• Land compensation charges
• New towns charges
• Civil aviation charges
• Opencast coal charges
• Listed building charges
• Light obstruction notices
• Drainage scheme charges

Land Charges Fees

• LLC1 only – £28
• CON29R only – £156
• A Full Search (CON29 and LLC1) – £184

Optional extras

• CON29O (each question) – £14.10
• Each additional parcel of land – £19.40
• Each solicitors own question – £40.80

For a full list of fees, please visit our Fees and charging webpage.

Apply for a local authority search

You can submit your search request using the below form.

We aim to return search enquiries within 10 working days.

Refunds are not possible after the application has been completed and paid for.

National Land Information Service

We can accept searches through the National Land Information Service (NLIS) hub. For more information about electronic submission, contact the National Land and Information Service on 020 7251 8385 or visit the National Land and Information Service website.

Additional parcels of land

The guidance note on the LLC1 for a Parcel of Land states: ‘A separate requisition for search should be made in respect of each parcel of land in respect of which a search is required except where, for the purpose of a single transaction, a certificate is required in respect of two or more parcels of land which have a common boundary or are separated only by a road, railway, river, stream or canal.’

Highways Land Charge Search

We are the highway authority for Somerset and hold information about the status and extent of the highways in Somerset.

Before submitting an enquiry please read the Access to information required for a local enquiries search – Information note (PDF, 633KB) which lists the information available.

Solicitors and personal search companies can submit a Highways only search directly to us.

To fulfil the access requirements set out in the Communities and Local Government’s Good Practice Guidance for Local Authorities and Personal Searchers, we provide a collated response to relevant CON 29 enquiries that we can answer.

Drainage searches

For official drainage searches, visit the Wessex Searches website.

Land ownership

For information regarding land or properties not owned by the council please visit Land Registry website.

Personal search

Land Charges Terms and Conditions

Whilst Somerset Council makes every effort:

• to maintain the accuracy of the information in these website pages, we cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage which may occur from the use of the information provided
• to keep the information on the Local Land Charges Register accurate, we make no warranty or representation, express or implied about its accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for a particular purpose. Thus, you assume full responsibility for using the information supplied, and you understand and agree that neither Somerset Council nor any of its employees are liable for any claim, loss or damage resulting from its use

Contact the Land Charges team

Email: landcharges@somerset.gov.uk

Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) requests

CON29 questions from July 2016 and their data source contacts:

• 1.1 a-i: Visit the View a Planning Application page.
• 1.1 j-l 3.7a 3.8: Information is available on the Somerset Building Control Partnership website.
• 1.2 3.1 3.9 3.11 3.12: Visit the Planning, Buildings and Land section of our website.
• 2.1 – 2.5 3.2, 3.4, 3.5 3.6: Contact Land Charges. Call 01823 356003 or email LandChargesHighways@somerset.gov.uk.
• 3.3: Our records do not allow for the provision of comprehensive answers in relation to this question. It is advisable that the purchaser undertakes checks of planning approvals, Section 106 agreements and with the vendor to establish whether any sustainable urban drainage systems are in place at the property.
• 3.7 b, c, d, e, f, g and 3.12: Use the General Enquiries form. Please make sure you set out your questions in detail.
• 3.10: Visit the Community Infrastructure Levy page.
• 3.11: Visit the Conservation areas page.
• 3.13: Visit the Contaminated land page.
• 3.14: The South West of England has many areas where the concentration of Radon is high, and several within the Somerset West and Taunton area. For general information and enquiries about a particular postal area visit the UKradon website, the UK reference site on radon from Public Health England.
• 3.15: Visit the Assets of community value page.