Land charges
Overview
The Local Land Charges Unit has four prime functions:
- maintaining the Land Charge Register
- issuing searches as required by the Local Land Charges Act 1975
- assembling information from various departments of the council
- manages the Village Green Application process.
It is now possible to submit official search application forms to us in a variety of combinations. The current forms in use are:
- LLC1 – Official Certificate of Search (search of the local land charges register)
- CON29 (R) Enquiries of Local Authority (standard)
- CON29 (O) Enquiries of Local Authority (optional)
This provides the seller with the opportunity to purchase the searches needed for inclusion in the Home Information Pack (HIP) direct from the local authority and ask any additional enquiries from the source of the information.
What is a Local Land Charge?
- a restriction or prohibition on land with or without buildings or a financial charge
- it is binding on successive owners or occupiers
- it is normally a creation of statute.
What is a Local Land Charges Official Search?
An official land charge search is carried out by trained local authority officers.
Most requests for a search of the Local Land Charges Register on form LLC1 are accompanied by a contractual document called CON29: Enquiries of the Local Authority. The official certificate must be signed on behalf of the registering authority.
Purchasing a property may be the single most expensive item you buy. With this in mind, it is essential to think carefully about where you purchase your Land Charge Search from: missed or incorrect information given in a search may have significant consequences.
What is form LLC1?
Form LLC1 is published by HMSO and is used to requisition an official search of the Local Land Charges Register from the relevant authority. The relevant legislation empowers only the registering authority to sign form LLC1.
You can get copies of the LLC1 form from any solicitor.
What is form CON29?
CON29 contains supplementary enquiries on Planning, Highways, Building Regulations, drainage and other matters of interest to home buyers. The form is in two parts: CON29 (R) contains the standard enquiries; CON29 (O) contains some additional optional enquiries.
Local Land Charges personal search (CON 29) application form.
Parcels of land
"Parcel of Land" means land (including a building or part of a building) which is separately occupied or separately rated, or in separate ownership. The parcel of land with the search to be carried out on should be highlighted on a map when requesting a search.
How to pay
To pay by credit or debit card, please call 020 8359 5595. Note that payments by American Express are not accepted.
Alternatively, cheques should be made payable to 'London Borough of Barnet'; please include the search address and electronic reference on the back of the cheque.
Online searches
You can now submit your search request online. Searches requested online will be prioritised. For further information visit The National Land Information Service.
Access to information
We endeavour to provide as much information as possible online.
What is a Personal Search?
A Personal Search is a search of the Local Land Charges Register, carried out in accordance with the Local Land Charges Act 1975 and Local Land Charges Rules 1977 (as amended) by a person or company.
Any person may make a personal search of the Local Land Charges Register. Personal searches can be arranged by contacting the Local Land Charges Department using the contact details opposite. This service is provided free of charge. Copies of the document to take away can be provided on request at a charge.
What is a Full Search?
A full local authority search is made up of the LLC1 form and CON29 form and is what is normally requested as part of the conveyencing process. A turnaround time for a full search is normally 2 - 3 working days.