We are currently working with HM Land Registry to migrate our local land charges service to their central digital register.
From 28 March 2023, our local land charges register will be migrated to HM Land Registry's national register. You will be able to access the new digital service through the HM Land Registry Portal, Business Gateway and the government's website.
Guidance can be found on the government's website.
There will be an order cut-off date of 11.59pm on 17 March 2023. Any requests for information on the local land charges register submitted to us after this date will be returned and should be raised directly with HM Land Registry through their Portal after 28 March 2023.
Any requests for Con 29 received after 17 March 2023 may not be recorded or completed until after 3 April 2023.
From 28 March 2023
We will continue to provide replies to Con29 enquiries.
Any CON29 order submitted after 28 March 2023 may not be recorded or completed until after 3 April 2023.
It is important to remember to only submit the required fee for Con 29 and Con 29O when submitting a CON29 enquiry to us after 28 March 2023.
Con 29 fees
From 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2023
- residential Con 29 £82.32 (including VAT)
- non-residential Con 29 £187.32
Changes to fees
The following fees will apply for all requests received on or after 1 April 2023.
CON29 and CON 29O products submitted to the Local Authority will be considered to be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%.
Our search fees for all requests received from 1 April 2023 onwards will be as follows and all requests submitted from this date should be accompanied by the correct fee, including VAT.
- Con 29 (residential): £87.30 (including VAT)
- Con 29 (non-residential): £198.60 (including VAT)
- additional parcels of land: £22.20 (including VAT)
- Con 29O optional enquiries: £25.50 (including VAT)
- additional enquiries: £25.50 (including VAT)
The local land charges team process searches, which are an important part of the process of buying and selling property and land. A search ensures that there are no hidden surprises awaiting buyers.
The team is also responsible for the registration of local land charges and maintenance of the local land charges register.
Requesting an official search
Requests can be submitted by emailing landchar@harrogate.gov.uk with payment then to be made by either debit or credit card, electronically via the National Land Information Service NLIS, TM or in hard copy by post. Full instructions are available on the local land charge search forms. Your solicitor will have these or you can buy them from law stationers.
Important information
The Law Society Con 29 Enquiries of Local Authorities (2016) forms came into use from 4 July 2016.
All requests submitted to us should be accompanied by the correct forms and the appropriate fee.
The following fees will apply for all requests received on or after 1 April 2022.
Please note, CON29 and CON 29O products submitted to the Local Authority will be considered to be subject to VAT at the standard rate of 20%.
Our search fees for all requests received from 1 April 2022 onwards are as follows and all requests submitted from this date should be accompanied by the correct fee, including VAT.
Full search - LLC1/Con 29 (residential): £109.30 (including VAT)
Full search - LLC1/Con 29 search (non-residential): £214.30 (including VAT)
Additional parcels of land: £21.10 (including VAT)
Con 29O optional enquiries: £24.00 (including VAT)
Additional enquiries: £24.00 (including VAT)
LLC1 only: £26.98
Con 29 required enquiries only (residential): £82.32 (including VAT)
Con 29 required enquiries only (non-residential) £187.32 (including VAT)
Please see frequently asked questions regarding land charges for information concerning Con 29O (question 8) and for details of fees for individual Con 29 questions.
Search processing times
We aim to complete all Local Authority Search requests within 10 working days.
Personal searches
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 client's approval when time doesn't permit official searches. You're advised to confirm with your solicitor that an official search has been undertaken and to inspect the certificate of official search.
Guides from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Buying a home in England and Wales
Selling a home in England and Wales