main content Local authority searches

If you are about to buy a property in the borough, we can carry out a local authority search. Every time a property or piece of land is purchased or re-mortgaged a local authority search is usually required. We investigate whether there are any legal restrictions or development proposals affecting the property and bring together information from many parts of the Council for you.

Details

The information supplied is usually everything required by the applicants or their solicitors from the local authority when buying a house. The majority of searches are returned on the same or next working day as received, and all searches are completed within ten working days. 

Examples of information given on the search result include:

• conservation areas
• road adoptions and schemes
• Unitary Development Plan designations
• formal and informal notices
• financial charges
• listed buildings
• planning history
• outstanding building regulation matters

Solicitors normally submit local search applications on prescribed forms by post. However, some solicitors use the National Land Information Service (NLIS). This service enables electronic transmission of searches between local authorities and solicitors and payments are made through BACS. The resulting savings in time and efficiency have enabled us to set a reduced fee for applications received through NLIS. If you need more  information on the NLIS system, click www.nlis.org.uk or contact us direct.

Please note that we do not provide Home Information Packs (HIPS), you can find out more from the Home Information Pack website.

Cost

The fee for the basic postal applications is £185.   The cost for a commercial search is £210. Cheques should be made payable to 'LB Bromley'. The full current list of fees for land charges searches is available here.

The fee received we for NLIS applications is only £150 (£170 for commercial).  (Please note that NLIS and the channel providers will charge transmission fees  in addition).

Contacts

Telephone: 020 8461 7909
Fax: 020 8461 7769
e-mail:  land.charges@bromley.gov.uk

Address:
Land Charges, Bromley Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH