Local land charges and searches
Land charge searches are important because they can tell you about possible restrictions or issues affecting your home.
A local search is carried out when property/land is purchased, leased or valued in order to establish what, if any, matters affect the property/land.
Information provided on a search relates only to the property or land identified on the search requisition and plan. No information is provided regarding surrounding property or land unless this is specifically requested.
The council is linked to level 3 of the National Land Information Service (NLIS).
Submit a search
There are different ways to apply for a search. You can:
- submit a search request through our Local Land Charges Public Access module
- email: llc@uttlesford.gov.uk
- write to: Local Land Charges, Uttlesford District Council, London Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4ER
What to include
Your search should include the following:
- forms LLC1 and CON29
- an up to date plan showing, clearly outlined in red, the property or land to be searched
- the appropriate fee
How to pay
You can pay for a search by:
- cheque for the correct search fee payable to Uttlesford District Council. Client cheques are not acceptable
- credit or debit card
⚠ No work will start on a search until the full fee is received.
Return of searches
All searches other than those received via NLIS or our Public Access module will be returned to you by email.
If you don't provide an email address we will return your search by first class post.
Official searches
An official local authority search is made up of:
- LLC1 form
- CON29 required questions form and CON29O optional questions form
LLC1
This is the official request for a search of the Local Land Charges Register which we have a statutory duty to maintain.
You will get an official certificate of search completed and signed by an authorised officer of the council.
The LLC1 form includes information about:
- tree preservation orders
- renovation grants
- conservation areas
- listed buildings
- planning agreements
CON29
The CON29 comprises the required CON29 questions and optional CON29O questions. These request details of information that may affect a specific property or piece of land.
Find out how to get copies of the blank CON29, CON29O and CON29DW forms on the Law Society website.
CON29
You can submit CON29 requests separate from an LLC1 if required.
Requests for individual CON29 questions cannot be accepted.
Form CON29 Required Questions includes information about:
- planning applications
- building regulations and certificates for works
- highways and traffic
- the environment
- public paths and byways
- the current or proposed local plan policies
If information about particular roads is required, this must be clearly identified on the plan and in Box C on the CON29 form. Words such as "all abutting" are not acceptable.
CON29O
CON29O questions can only be submitted individually together with the relevant fee.
Form CON29O Optional Questions includes information about:
- advertisements
- common land and village greens
- mineral consultation areas
Question 22 on the CON29O is for common land enquiries. The request and payment should be sent to the council, but the answer will be returned directly to you from Essex County Council.
CON29DW
We no longer provide information on drainage enquiries.
Form CON29DW confirms if a property is connected to:
- mains water supply
- mains drainage
You will need to send the CON29DW form to the water company serving the area in which the property is located.
Check where to send your CON29DW drainage and water searches.
Additional questions
If you want to ask your own additional questions your will need to raise these directly with the relevant council department.
You may need to pay a separate fee.
Contact
If you require any further information on local land charges and searches please contact us.
Telephone: 01799 510418 or 01799 510419
Email: llc@uttlesford.gov.uk
If you have a question about land ownership you will need to contact the Land Registry.