Services A to Z

Local Land Searches and Charges

If you are a potential buyer of a property in or around Dartford then you may well be aware that, as part of the conveyancing process, a search against that property is conducted to uncover any restrictions or legal obligations on the building(s) or plot of land.

This is held and maintained by Dartford Borough Council. Searches can be requested by you, or more usually, through your Solicitor.

Typea of Searches

There are a number of different types of search service available. Make sure you ask your Solicitor or HIP Complier what type of search service you are receiving.

There are significant difference between a Local Authority Search (either NLIS or Postal) and a Personal Search which may affect your purchase.

It is recommended that a full search be carried out to obtain the maximum amount of information.

A Local Land Charge Search usually comprises two elements - a LLC1 Form and a CON29R (Required) form. There are also an optional form called a CON29O(Optional).

LLC1 - A requisition for search and official certificate of search
This requests information from the register about all local land charges registered against a property within Dartford. This relates to matters such as tree preservation orders, planning decisions, grants, conservation areas etc.
CON29 - A list of standard enquiries to a local authority
This contains a list of 16 set questions (CON29R) and 19 optional questions (CON29O).

NLIS (National Land Information Service)

Dartford BC has signed up to providing on line land searches through NLIS. This allows searches to be carried out through the Internet.

The sites that you can use to submit an online search are:

The links above to the NLIS channel websites should provide you with all the information that you need to submit an online search to Dartford. We would recommend that you use the NLIS service as it has a number of benefits over a normal search:

NLIS website

Postal Searches

To request a search by post you need to submit the LLC1 and CON29 form. These are available through the law society or your solicitor. Your submission should include the following items:

  1. LLC1
  2. CON 29
  3. The correct search fee (See fees below.)
  4. The correct and clear address of the property to be searched.
  5. Two plans with the land clearly edged in red.

Anything missing from the submission will mean that the land search will be delayed. Any plans which are unclear or poorly marked will result in the land search being delayed. Any address which is unclear will result in the land search being delayed.

The address where the search should be sent to is:

Land Charges
Dartford Borough Council
Civic Centre
Home Gardens
Dartford
DA1 1DR

Alternatively we do accept Hays DX post and our number is DX 142726 Dartford 7

Additional Questions or Enquiries

Should you require information concerning any planning applications received or approved adjoining or within the vicinity of the land parcel, then an additional enquiry may be raised at a cost of £10.

If you require an additional question to be asked as part of the CON 29 then these are charged at £15 per additional question.

Personal Searches

It is recommended you go through the full search process rather than use a personal search as it will not reveal all the information provided by an official search.

The use of a personal search agent may lead to important information not being communicated to your Solicitor and can affect the value of your property.

The Law Society, which regulates solicitors, encourages the use of official searches and considers that alternative personal searches of the statutory register, disclosing only limited information, should only be undertaken with the approval of the client when time does not permit official searches, you are advised to confirm with your solicitor that an official search has been undertaken and to inspect the Certificate of Official Search Some Mortgage lenders will not accept a Personal Search.

A personal search is a search of the Local Land Charges Register Only. This information can be viewed by the public on payment of a fee of £22 (SUSPENDED). For more information see the fees page).

As of the 27th July 2010, the Government has decided to revoke the statutory fee of £22 for personal searches of the local land charges register.  This amendment will come into force on 17th August 2010 but Dartford Borough Council will be suspending the charge with immediate effect.
 
The Government is making this change to local land charges legislation as the statutory fee is incompatible with Environmental Information Regulations 2004.
 
Within legislation is the right to make reasonable charges if information is requested from the Council rather than inspected directly by customers.
 
However, Dartford Borough Council currently operates a fully electronic register and therefore unable to provide a self service way of allowing the mandatory information to be inspected by customers.  Therefore, until this information can be made publically available on site, Council officers will continue to respond to requests without making a charge for the service.  Once a self-service system is in place, charges will be made if customers prefer Council officers to provide, validate or offer assistance in accessing the information sought for search purposes
 

To provide enough time to collate the information you need to book an appointment with the Land Charges Officer and state the name and postcode of the property. (Tel. 01322 343425) or

On arrival at the Civic Centre make an appointment to see a customer service advisor who will take payment (if needed) and provide you with a copy of the register. Other information is available online or through the terminal in reception.

The Local Land Charges Register forms part of the £11.00 fee and can be taken away. However, if you require details of the Planning and Building Control history, this can be viewed on the above mentioned web-sites.

Expedited Searches

From the 1 st January 2006 expedited Searches can be conducted through NLIS. Please sign up with an NLIS channel provider listed on this page. An expedited search will be returned by the next working day.

Contact Details

If your search is urgent, please contact us at the numbers below:

Telephone: 01322 343281
Fax Number: 01322 343047
DX Number DX 142726 Dartford 7

Write to:

Land Charges
Property Information
Dartford Civic Centre
Home Gardens
Dartford
DA1 1DR, Kent

Email: PropertyInformation@dartford.gov.uk

Common Land and Village Green Searches

Dartford BC can now answer Common Land queries. All common land searches should be requested using the CON29(O) form and selecting Q22. The fee is curently £15.00. All further enquries should be sent to:

Kent County Council
Commons Registration
Strategic Planning Directorate
Sessions House
Maidstone
Kent

Land Registry

Dartford BC does not hold information on land ownership or the boundaries of ownership of private land. For that information please consult HM land registry at the following website address http://www.landreg.gov.uk/info/contacts.asp or

Tunbridge Wells District Land Registry
Forest Court
Forest Road
Hawkenbury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN2 5AQ
Tel: 01892 510015

Home Information Packs

From the 14th December 2007 all residential properties must have commissioned a Home Information Pack (HIP).

HIPS Links

You may want to:

Online forms:

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