Land searches
Before you buy land or a property, you may need to request a Local Land Charges search. This is also known as a local authority search or a land search. This will show any relevant information we hold, such as:
- whether the land has any land charges on it
- a full copy of the planning history
- details about any public highways, such as roads, footpaths or bridleways in the area
A solicitor, licensed conveyancer or personal search company usually applies for a search to be made, but private individuals or organisations can also do this.
To request a land search:
- Fill in the relevant local land charges form(s). You can purchase the forms via an NLIS channel
- Ensure that a good quality, up to date Ordnance Survey location plan (scale 1/1250) is submitted with the boundary of the property duly edged in red (and includes an OS licence number and acknowledgement).
- Send them to us using the contact details at the bottom of this page. If you send them by post, please include two copies of all documents.
Once we receive the forms, we will contact you to organise payment.
You should receive the search results within 15 working days. We do not carry out searches any faster. The searches that arrive at our offices sooner will be processed sooner.
If you have not received your search results after 15 working days, please contact us using the contact details at the bottom of this page.
The cut-off point for accepting new searches each day is 10.30am. If we receive your search request after this time we will begin processing it the following working day.
Land search forms
These forms can either be submitted together or separately. For example, if there is just one question on the CON29O that you would like answered there is no need to submit a full search. We will still require a plan.
If there is anything else you want to know about the land that isn't revealed as standard, you can ask additional questions of your own.