Local land charges

A local land charge is an entry in the local land charges register that is a restriction or prohibition on land, or a financial charge which is binding on successive owners or occupiers.

A charge can originate from councils and other public bodies. We have a statutory right to register these obligations or charges.

A solicitor usually carries out a search on behalf of people buying land or property. It forms part of the transfer (conveyancing) process.

Searches involve researching and supplying information recorded in the register. This relates to financial charges, conditional planning permissions, enforcement notices, tree preservation orders and various other notices, orders or agreements.

The search usually also means answering standard questions concerning highway status and proposals, planning history, building control history, notices, contaminated land and many other considerations.

There is a charge for land charge searches.