Temporary changes to our services: we are unable to accept official certified searches through the post or DX, please email your completed search request forms to landcharges@guildford.gov.uk and pay via our online payment system.

Personal Search procedures have been amended while you are unable to visit our offices, if you wish to carry out a personal search on a property, please email the address of the property and a plan to landcharges@guildford.gov.uk. The Local Land Charges register for the property will then be emailed to you. Please allow three working days for us to respond.

Local Land Charges

Our Local Land Changes team has extensive experience and offers a fast and efficient service, with a current turnaround time of 2 to 3 working days.

Welcome to Local Land Charges

We provide a statutory, not-for-profit service for solicitors, private search companies and individuals buying or remortgaging homes, business or land.

Our small, friendly team has extensive experience and knowledge in Local Land Charges and the provision of property searches.

We are committed to providing an accurate, fully-certified official local authority search within 3 working days and we aim to return 90% of all searches within this time frame.

We are members of the Local Land Charges Institute and are finalists in the Best Performing NLIS Level 2 Local Land Charges Department award in the Land Data Local Land Charges Awards for Excellence in 2019.

Pay for Local Land Charges

If you have ordered Local Land Charges searches by email, you can pay for them using our online form.

What is a Local Land Charge?

A Local Land Charge is a restriction on a particular parcel of land, whether to secure the payment of a sum of money, or limiting the use to which the land may be put, and is binding on successive owners or occupiers of that parcel of land.

These restrictions would not normally be shown on your deeds and therefore your solicitor would perform a Local Authority Search as part of your conveyancing when you buy or re-mortgage a property or land to highlight any of these charges.

The search usually consists of two parts:

1. The LLC1 form is a search of the Local Land Charges Register only and shows charges such as conditional planning consents and agreements, tree preservation orders, enforcement notices and financial charges.

2. The CON29 form consists of a series of standard questions giving information on highways, planning history and notices which affect the property.

Interactive map - Land Charges Register

Search the Land Charges Register. Read more >

What is the cost of a search?

See our table showing search fees. Read more >

How do I submit a search?

To submit a search, please complete the relevant forms (these are available through your solicitors) and provide an up-to-date plan with the boundary of the property clearly marked. Read more >

How long does a search take?

It currently takes us between two and three working days to process an official search.

Do you have an expedition service?

If you have a search which needs to be processed urgently, contact us on 01483 444080 and we will do all we can to produce your result quickly. There is no additional fee for this service.

What is the difference between an official search and a personal search?

The official search is certified by the council; the Local Land Charges Act 1975 makes provision for compensation if anything goes wrong. The accompanying CON29 questionnaire can only be completed by trained council staff who have access to the information required. The information includes approved schemes that have not yet been implemented such as highway schemes, parking restrictions, traffic calming measures, Building Control or Environmental Health notices which are outstanding. A personal search can be made by making an appointment and calling in person at the council offices. The search result is from the register of local land charges only and does not include CON29 information, but personal callers can inspect statutory registers such as the planning register and the highways register. The result is not certified.

How do I view the Local Land Charges Register?

You have the following options. Read more >

Do you answer drainage enquiries?

No, please contact Thames Water on 0118 923 6656 or via their website.

Can you tell me who owns a property?

No, for information on land ownership, please visit the Land Registry website.

How do I undertake a personal search under the Environmental Information Regulations?

A personal search in the whole or part of the local land charges register is free for inspection under the EIR at the Council. You will need to book an appointment for inspection by telephoning us on 01483 444080. Appointments are available Monday to Friday 9am - 4pm. Read more >