Local Land Charges - Frequently Asked Questions
The Local Land Charges service provides information to people buying or carrying out transactions on a piece of land (or house) in Hackney. The Local Land Charges section investigate whether there are any legal restrictions which may affect the property, and will bring all the information together in the form of a Local Authority search.
Further information on this service is as follows:
- Who can I contact?
- What is a Local Land Charges official search?
- What is required to be able to conduct a search?
- Can I bring all my paperwork into the Local Land Charges office?
- How much does a Local Land Charges Personal Search cost?
- How long will a Local Land Charges official search take to complete?
- Can I conduct my own Local Land Charges personal search?
- Is my property in Hackney?
- What is the Document Exchange (DX) number?
- How can I make an appointment with Local Land Charges?
- When can I have an appointment?
- I am a solicitor and would like to find out about Local Land Charges procedures
- Do I receive a legal certificate for the search?
- Can you recommend a solicitor?
- Can I have an official search application form?
- Can Hackney Council provide me with help in interpreting the results of the search?
- Can I view site plans for the property?
Who can I contact?
For more information please contact: Local Land Charges.
What is a Local Land Charges official search?
A Local Land Charges official search investigates whether there are any restrictions imposed on a property which are legally binding on successive owners or restrictions which may affect a potential purchaser's decision to buy a property. The search brings all the information together in the form of a Local Authority search where information is collected from various departments throughout the council, including Environmental Health, Highways Engineers, Planning, and Building Control.
Local Land Charges provides information of charges held on all property within the Hackney Council's jurisdiction. The information is mainly provided for purposes of conveyancing in the business of buying, selling and re-mortgaging property.
An official search is usually carried out by instructing a solicitor but if you have conveyance experience in property searches, you may submit an application in the relevant forms (LLC1 and CON29 (R)) to the Local Land Charges Section. This type of application is commonly sent in by post but is acceptable to be hand delivered.
What is required to be able to conduct a search?
We will need the following information with all forms in duplicate:
- Form - LLC1
- Form CON29 (R)
- An Ordnance Survey Site Plan
- Full Payment covering all fees applicable
Applications sent by post to Local Land Charges are also acceptable with a cheque attached. Please see the Local Land Charges Fees page for information about charges for an official search.
Can I bring all my paperwork into the Local Land Charges office?
Yes, you can deliver all the necessary paperwork to our office. For applications delivered by hand, payment can be made in cash or by cheque.
How much does a Local Land Charges personal search cost?
Your requirements will determine the cost of the search. For information on charges for personal searches please visit the Personal Search FAQs page.
How long will a Local Land Charges official search take to complete?
For us to complete the full search it currently takes up to five working days. If the process is likely to take longer we will inform you.
Can I conduct my own Local Land Charges personal search?
If you are a member of the public and wish to carry out your own search you must have conveyance knowledge about property searches, e.g. a Personal Search Agency. If you don't have this knowledge we advise you to seek legal advice from a conveyance solicitor to ensure all aspects of the work are done correctly. Personal searches are not accompanied by a legal certificate.
Is my property in Hackney?
For a detailed map of Hackney and its boundaries visit Find My Nearest
What is the Document Exchange (DX) number?
The DX number is 124200 HACKNEY 3
How can I make an appointment with Local Land Charges?
An appointment can be made via telephone by calling: Local Land Charges.
When can I have an appointment?
We aim to provide an appointment within 48 hours of receiving a request.
I am a solicitor and would like to find out about Local Land Charges procedures
Official Searches can be performed online using the NLIS web. This is the most convenient and efficient method of performing Official Searches. For further details please see www.nlis.org.uk.
Do I receive a legal certificate for the search?
Only official searches qualify for legal certificates; personal searches do not carry legal certificates.
Can you recommend a solicitor?
We are unable to recommend a solicitor but they can be found in yellow pages: www.yell.com.
Can I have an official search application form?
Official search application forms can be obtained online at Oyez Straker: www.oyezformslink.co.uk or stationers Shaw and Sons: www.shaws.co.uk You may be charged for these forms.
Can Hackney Council provide me with help in interpreting the results of the search?
Hackney Council is unable to provide any help in interpreting the outcome of the search.
Can I view site plans for the property?
Plans are managed by a separate department and a separate appointment will be required. We will organise two appointments for you at adjacent times.
Page updated: 25 Jul 2011
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