From today, 25 April 2022, buying a property in Solihull has become quicker and simpler for everyone.
As part of promoting digital services in the borough Solihull Council has worked with HM Land Registry (HMLR) to transfer the local land charges (LLC) service to HMLR’s national digital register. The LLC Register allows users to search information online instantly, enabling buying decisions to be made earlier in the conveyancing process.
Most local land charges are restrictions or prohibitions on the use of property or land, such as planning permissions or listed building status. A search of the national register will reveal whether a property is subject to a charge. And enable the buyer to make an informed decision about the purchase.
This digital transformation supports wider government priorities to make property transactions quicker, simpler and cheaper. Anyone can access the register’s search for local land charges service. Business customers can also access it through their portal account or Business Gateway.
Users of the national register can download a personal search free of charge or buy an official search for £15. This will allow unlimited repeat searches for six months. All information is delivered in a standard easy-to-read format, with geospatial maps.
When all local authorities in England and Wales transfer their local land charges service to the national register, it will contain more than 25 million charges. Data users will find it easier to search, merge and digest the information, while entrepreneurs and innovators will be able to develop new social and economic solutions that benefit the wider UK economy.
Solihull council will continue to provide replies to more detailed land charge requests (most notably CON29 enquiries). Details of associated fees and how to submit these requests can be found on our website - Local land charge searches (solihull.gov.uk)
For more information visit GOV.UK.
Solihull Council is pleased to be among the early adopters of the new register, which will enable our customers to benefit from this transparent and user-friendly service.