To check whether there are any charges on land within the borough, you can ask the council to check for you by doing a Local Land Charges search.
If you are buying a new house or land, your solicitor will usually ask the council on your behalf so that you know the situation before you make the final decision to go ahead with your purchase (although some solicitors use personal search companies instead).
Local Land Charges are a burden or restriction on the way the land is used. These restrictions are not specifically linked to the people who previously owned the land, or the people who occupied it, so when you buy a new house, for example, you might buy it complete with restrictions, which will affect you.
If you don't know that your land has charges on it, you might act in a way, which could result in prosecution, so it is important to investigate.
What types of Local Land Charge are there?
Examples of Local Land Charges include:
- Tree Preservation Orders
- Conservation Areas
- Listed Buildings
How do I get a search done?
To ask us to carry out a search, you will need to send us the relevant forms, the correct fee and a plan outlining the extent of the land you want us to search.
Please ensure that the correct postal address and postcode are shown on the forms, and that your plan is not old or out of date. You will also need to notify us if the property is used for commercial purposes (there is no extra charge is it is).
Please contact Marie Mercer on 01200 414405 for more information.
What forms should I use?
The LLC1 form is a request for details of any entries on the Local Land Charges register.
The CON29 form asks many questions that reveal information about the property/land itself, such as previous planning applications or building regulations, environmental health and housing notices. This also asks whether the roads are maintained by Lancashire County Council or privately owned by the owners.
How long do searches take?
We make every effort to process and return completed searches within 10 working days. In most cases it is possible to return searches much sooner.
What are Financial Charges?
These are charges incurred by the Council for making derelict buildings safe, or clearing blocked drains can also be shown on the register. There may also be conditions attached to planning permissions restricting further development, or legal agreements concerning the use of buildings.
Do you do Commons Registration?
Yes - Commons Registration is now on the Con29(O) form and is question No.22. The fee for this question is £22.10.
