Local Land Charges

The Local Land Charges Unit has two main functions

1. To maintain a public register known as the Local Land Charges Register as required by the Local Land Charges Act 1975
2. To carry out property searches, responding to "Enquiries of Local Authorities". These are submitted by solicitors and conveyancers as part of the conveyancing procedure, and directly from members of the public.

The service provided by the Local Land Charges team started around 70 years ago. This was to help protect people who were buying land and property, so that they, or future owners, were not caught out by obligations (what we call charges) that the Local Authority could enforce.

What is a Local Land Charge?
A charge describes a burden imposed on land and/or property which must be complied with by the owners/occupiers of said land/property. Local Authorities have a statutory duty to register these obligations or charges. The information is collected from a range of council departments so that requests for information can be given a full response.
Charges, which are registrable as Local Land Charges include:

• Conditions imposed in planning decisions and consents
• Conservation areas
• Listed Buildings
• Enforcement notices
• Tree preservation orders
• Various legal agreements
• Financial charges e.g. for work carried in default such as drainage repairs
• Notices served under various Acts relating to, Building, Environment, Highways, Housing, Planning and Water Authorities

These charges and obligations are enforceable against subsequent owners of the land affected and can range from planning history to highway status and outstanding environmental health notices to building control notices or outstanding works. Maintenance of the Land Charges Register ensures that these are recorded. It is an important service to members of the public who are selling and/or purchasing homes, property and land.
An originating authority notifies Local Land Charges (LLC) when to register a "local land charge". 

Originating authorities include:

• Highways Agency
• English Heritage
• Environment Agencies
• Water Authorities
• Local Authorities

This list is not exhaustive and there may be other authorities not included here.

Last updated 03/11/2010