What is contained in a Local Authority Search?

A “standard” local authority search is comprised of an LLC1 (request for a search of the Local Land Charges Register) plus a CON29 questionnaire. A search with extra questions comprises of an LLC1 plus CON29 questionnaire, as well as some or all of the CON29O optional questions.

LLC1 The Official Certificate of Search

This reveals the entries on the Local Land Charges Register. This would include (if applicable to the property):

Tree preservation orders
Listed buildings status
Conservation areas since 1974
Smoke control areas
Conditional planning permissions
Community Infrastructure Levy charges
Article 4 Directions
Financial charges registered against the property
Planning Enforcement Notices

CON29 The Enquiries of Local Authorities Form

This includes:

Planning history
Building control regulations
Highway information (including road scheme proposals)
Proposed tree preservation orders
Proposed planning enforcement or breach of condition notices
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Assets of community value
Rail schemes and proposals
Public footpaths shown on definitive maps

CON290 The Optional Enquiries of Local Authorities Form

This includes:

Gas pipelines
Common land enquiries
Flood defences and land drainage consents

Personal searches

The Local Land Charges Act 1975 defines a ‘personal search’ as an inspection of the Local Land Charges Register. A LLC Register is held and maintained by every local authority across England and Wales.

A personal search (as described above) will not provide the necessary information required to answer forms CON29 or CON29O.

More information

For further explanation about property searches please download our guide.

Land Data Property Searches Guide