Digital switch improves property-buying process

As part of an improvement in digital services, the council has been working with HM Land Registry to transfer the borough’s Local Land Charges (LLC) service to their national online register.

From November 15, the LLC Register will allow purchasers and their solicitors to access the information they need online in an instant, enabling buying decisions to be made earlier in the conveyancing process. To allow the transfer of information to be made to the national online register the council will cease accepting Local Land Charges searches from 5pm on November 9.

Local land charges show if there are restrictions, covenants or prohibitions on the use of property or land, such as planning permissions or listed building status. A search of the national register will reveal whether a property is subject to a financial or other local land charge, enabling the buyer to make an informed decision about their intended purchase at the outset.

The transfer of this digital service is designed to make property transactions quicker, simpler and cheaper. Anyone can access the register’s Search for local land charges service. Business customers can also access it through their portal account or Business Gateway.

People can download a personal search of the national register free of charge or buy an official search for £15. This will allow unlimited repeat searches for six months. All information is delivered in a standard easy-to-read format, with geospatial maps.

For more information visit GOV.UK.