What are local land charges?

A local authority search is normally required in connection with the sale, purchase and/or re mortgaging of any land or property to make sure the purchaser is aware of any charges or responsibilities it may have.

The word ‘charge’ means any outstanding financial claims, restrictions, decisions or information which may affect a particular property or parcel of land. These include charges for such services as new roads, road improvements, tree preservation orders, conditions imposed on planning permissions, conservation areas, legal agreements and listed buildings.

The local land charges section carries out all official searches covered by the Local Land Charges Act 1975, guaranteeing comprehensive replies to the official LLC1 and CON29 enquiries.

Why choose an official local authority search?

There are two different types of products available:-

1) The official local authority search; or

2) A search via a personal search company

There are a large number of companies which offer a local authority search service, as well as the local authority. However, all searches have one thing in common – information must be obtained from the local council.

Always remember, you have a choice – you do not have to accept a personal search just because it is the norm for the solicitor/conveyancer. You are entitled to insist on a full official local authority search undertaken by Boston Borough Council.

With such a choice of suppliers of property searches, why choose Boston Borough Council to produce a local land charges search? Hopefully the points below will help you decide:-

• high quality finished searches produced by experienced and trained staff;
• competitively priced – please refer to related documents below for the latest fees
• the definitive source of information;
• as a local authority, we are the only body empowered by legislation to sign an official search of the register.

Our commitment to you

We are at Level 2 of the National Land Information Service (NLIS) and able to accept searches via this system. We can also accept searches through the TM Searches Portal.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control the council’s web form will no longer be available with effect from 1 July 2021.

Search requests can be submitted by post or email to landcharges@boston.gov.uk 

Within this email, please attach the relevant search forms along with a plan with the property to be searched outlined in red. Once the forms/plan have been checked we will then contact you for payment.