Apply for a local land charges search

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You can make a local land charges search application yourself, or employ a solicitor or private personal search agent to help you.

When you apply for a local land charges search, you need to:

• set up or log into an account 
• submit the correct application form and supporting documents    
• pay the correct fee when you submit your application

To apply for a local land charges search, you will need:    

• your name, address and contact details
• the search location, including the address and nearby roads
• one copy of a location plan, with the search area clearly outlined in red (the plan must be less than 4MB)
• details of the search you need        
• to pay the correct fee

Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, we are currently unable to accept search requests by post.

Once we receive your search request, we will:

• acknowledge it within five working days    
• process your search in 10 to 15 working days    

• notify you by email once we have completed it

You can also contact NLIS (National Land Information Service) to carry out the search for you. Their services allow you to request and pay for a search online, and handle the process for you. They connect law firms, conveyancers and data providers such as the Land Registry and local authority local land charges registries.

Cancellation and refunds of search requests

We can't refund your fee once we have accepted and registered your request.

Personal searches

To request a personal search, you will need to:

• register and create an account on Public Access for Land Charges
• submit a request form
• include a location plan of the search area clearly outlined in red with your request 

Once we receive your search request, we will:

• acknowledge it within five working days
• process your search in 10 to 15 working days
• notify you by email once we have completed it

If you employ a personal search company to help you, we will not charge them to complete your search. However, they may charge you.

If you carry out a personal search, you can also inspect our public registers either online or in our offices (although they are currently closed due to coronavirus). You will not be able to ask any questions as part of your inspection.

When you carry out a personal search, you need to consider asking:

• Essex County Council Legal Services about common land registration

• Essex County Council’s Highways Authority about any highways questions

• Geodesys about any drainage questions, including Anglian Water land 

• Land Registry about land ownership and titles

• the National Grid about gas pipelines