Main content
Buying a home in the Epping Forest district will soon be faster and simpler with instant online access for local land charges searches.
On 25 April 2023 we will be taking our local land charges service digital, making it quicker and simpler for anyone buying a property in the district. By transferring our local land charges register to a national digital register, property buyers will be able to search for information online instantly and enable buying decisions to be made earlier in the conveyancing process.
What are local land charges
Local land charges can restrict the way you use land and property. Examples include:
- Planning conditions
- Highways agreements
- Tree preservation orders
- Conservation areas
- Listed buildings
- Environmental health notices
Most local land charges are restrictions or prohibitions on the use of property or land. 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 their purchase.
Search for local land charges
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 6 months. All information is delivered in a standard easy-to-read format, with geospatial maps.
Anyone can access the Search for local land charges service. Business customers can also access it through their HM Land Registry portal account or Business Gateway.
We will not be accepting local land charges searches from 5pm on 6 April. Customers should wait until 25 April to make a local land charges search using the new online national register.
Keep up to date
Keep in touch with our latest news, service updates and reports.