Local Authority searches are an essential part of the home buying process. The information they reveal can be use to renegotiate your offer and may even make you pull out of the purchase. They are also required by mortgage lenders. But what do local searches include, how long do they take and how much do they cost? Here’s everything you need to know.
What will the Local Authority Search tell me?
There are two parts to a local authority search – a LLC1 and a CON29. The LLC1 – Local Land Charge Register search – covers any charges or attendant restrictions relating to land or property. These can include whether the property is:
- a listed building
- located in a conservation area
- subject to a tree protection order
- in need of an improvement or renovation grant
- or situated in a smoke control zone
The form also covers planning agreements and conditional planning permissions. All LLC1 registrations are legally binding on successive owners.
The second part of the search – the CON29 – supplies information relating to public highways, proposals for new roads, rail schemes or planning decisions that could affect the property, as well as outstanding statutory notices, breaches of planning or building regulations or the existence of a compulsory purchase order. Environmental factors, such as whether the house stands on contaminated land or in a Radon gas affected area are also covered.
Prices for Personal Local Authority Searches are based on the prices charged by the Local Authority, however specific pricing models, including fixed price, discounted or full fee with legal fee invoicing, are developed in consultation with our customers to meet their needs.
Commercial searches are charged at the same rate as residential searches.
Optional enquiries are charged as per the Council’s disbursement charge.
Information source: www.hoa.org.uk