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About local land charges

A Local Land Charge is a restriction or prohibition on a particular parcel or parcels of land which is then binding on successive owners or occupiers of the parcel or parcels of land.

When buying a property or piece of land, your solicitor or conveyancer will submit a Local Land Charges search which will show whether there are any legal restrictions or ‘charges’ that may affect the property or piece of land. This information is usually required by mortgage companies and is part of the legal process of buying or leasing property.

The local authority collects information from various departments within the council including planning, building control, environmental health, and housing. We also obtain information from other relevant third parties such as Essex County Council, Highways and Anglian Water.

The Local Land Charges Register

The local authority has a statutory duty under the Local Land Charges Act 1975 to maintain the Local Land Charges Register.

Charges held about a piece of land are listed on the Local Land Charges Register, such as:

  • financial charges for drainage, demolition, grants for works and noise abatement notices
  • emergency works notices
  • conditional planning application decisions issued on or after 1 August 1977 and planning enforcement notices
  • article 4 directions, listed buildings and ancient monuments
  • planning agreements