Our local land charges service is responsible for maintaining the land charges register and for carrying out local authority searches. The most common reason for requesting a local land charges search is moving house. Most people use a solicitor to help them with the process of moving house and usually your solicitor will arrange your local land charges search.
It is important to request a local land charges search because it will tell you about possible restrictions or issues affecting your new home, for example:
- Your property might be in a conservation area and therefore subject to restrictions that would make any development or extension difficult or impossible.
- There might be conditions attached to a planning permission that would concern you.
- You might have a protected tree that you can't cut down in your garden.
The land charges team gathers information about the land or property specified in the search request from different council departments, such as highways, planning and environmental health. Drainage search enquiries should be sent directly to Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.
Applying for a Local Land Search
- Postal searches
To apply for a search non-electronically you should include forms LLC1 and CON 29R (and, if required CON29O) in duplicate. (These forms are obtainable from Solicitors or Law Stationers). Please submit two up-to-date plans showing the area to be searched outlined in red. You should also send a cheque made payable to " Caerphilly County Borough Council" for the correct fee.
How long does it take?
The majority of all basic searches are completed within 8 working days. We are endeavouring to complete basic searches within 5 working days. If your search is urgent we will do all we can to produce your results within 24 hours and only charge a nominal fee for this service.
How do I know if the property is in Caerphilly county borough?
If you are unsure if the property is located within the Borough of Caerphilly, give us a call on 01495 235002/235012 and we will be happy to advise you. Alternatively, you can refer to the National Land and Property Gazetteer.
Fees and charges
The fees and charges for land searches are as follows:
| Residential | LLC1 Search | £6.00 |
| | CON 29 | £67.00 |
| | Total | £73.00 |
| | | |
| Commercial | LLC1 Search | £6.00 |
| | Con 29 | £89.00 |
| | Total | £95.00 |
| | | |
| | Urgent fee | £15.00 |
| | CON29O - Q22 (Commons and Village Greens) | £12.00 |
| | All other CON29O Enquiries | £12.00 each |
| | Copy of Search | £10.00 |
| | Personal Search (By Appointment Only) | £Nil |
| | Solicitor's Additional Enquiry | £15.00 |
| | Additional Parcel of Land (LLC1) | £1.00 |
| | Additional Parcel of Land (CON29R) | £12.00 |
Please make cheques payable to 'Caerphilly County Borough Council' and address the envelope clearly to Local Land Charges to avoid delays.
Local land charges – personal search
We will certify official searches as they are completed by trained personnel who have detailed knowledge of all the information required for the CON29 questionnaire. This includes approved schemes that have not yet been implemented by the council such as:
- Proposed parking restrictions
- One way driving
- Prohibition of driving
- Traffic calming measures
- Nearby road or rail schemes
- Outstanding statutory notices relating to building works, environment, health and safety at work, housing, highways or public health
A personal search can be made by booking an appointment via the Land Charges section at the council offices at Pontllanfraith House. The search result is compiled from the Local Land Charges Register and does not include all CON29 information. We do not compile or certify personal search results, and responsibility for the accuracy of the replies lies with the relevant search company. Some banks and building societies will not accept personal searches for mortgage purposes.
Information about neighbouring properties
The search does not include information about neighbouring properties and is carried out only on the property outlined on the search request.
However, if you have any concerns about planning permissions on neighbouring properties or areas of land, a CON29 O, optional enquiry or an additional enquiry can be submitted which allows you to ask a specific question. For example, has planning permission been granted on the immediate neighbours properties?
If you have concerns about areas of land, please be specific when colouring or outlining the area in question.
Please note that we cannot answer subjective queries such as planning permissions that might affect the enjoyment of the property or amenity or views. The fee for an additional enquiry is £15.
Please check that your query is not already contained in the CON29 R or can be requested in CON29 O. The fee for each enquiry in the latter is £12.
Further information
If you would like any further information about Local Land Charges searches not provided on this webpage, contact our Local Land Charges section on 01495 235002/235012 or email landcharges@caerphilly.gov.uk.