Land Charges and Property Searches

Official Search Fee – 6th April 2009

Note

The Council is required to set charges in accordance with The Local Authorities (England) (Charges for Property Searches) Regulations 2008. Paragraph 9 of the regulation states that the Council has to be transparent in relation to setting of charges - see extract below:
 
Transparency in relation to setting of charges
1. (1) During each financial year, a local authority must publish a statement setting out:
(a)  the estimates the local authority has made under regulation 6(2) (estimates of total costs and estimates of numbers of requests) in respect of the unit charge for the following financial year;
(b)  the basis for those estimates; and the amount of the unit charge it proposes for the following financial year.

The unit charge for access to property records has been calculated as follows:

• The estimated total costs to the authority in granting access to property records during the financial year 2009/10 is £104,270.
• The estimated number of requests for access to property records likely to be received over that same year is 1,000.
• The amount of the unit charge proposed for the year 2009/10 is £104 (Total estimated costs divided by the estimated number of requests).

Basis of estimates:

• The estimated total cost is based on the 2009/10 budgeted figures and adjusted in accordance with the guidance "Local Authority Property Search Services - Costing and Charging Guidance".
• The estimated number of requests is based upon historical figures and is adjusted to reflect the downturn in economic activity.
   

Official searches and enquiries should be sent to:

Land Charges, Hertsmere Borough Council,  Civic Offices, Elstree Way Borehamwood WD6 1WA
Or
DX 45602 Borehamwood.

We also accept searches electronically via NLIS.

If you require additional information or advice relating to your search and enquiries please see contact details below:

Contact details:

Land Charges Manager:  John McMillan
Telephone:   0208 207 7491 (Direct)
e-mail:          land.charges@hertsmere.gov.uk
Fax:              0208 207 7555

Procedure for carrying out a Personal Search:

Appointments –To make an appointment please telephone the Councils Land Charges Section on 0208 207 7491.  NB An appointment means an agreed date to attend the Councils offices not an agreed time.

• The Land Charges team will require the agent or company to confirm their appointment and supply the correct address and a plan to identify the property/properties being searched against.

• At least 24 hours notice is required when booking a search of the Local Land Charges Register.

• If you require additional information (ie replies to Con 29 Enquiries) at least 48 hours notice will be required.

• When making your appointment you should state which of the Con 29 Replies you require, if any, and you will be notified of the fee payable. This will  also be confirmed  if you confirm your appointment and send a plan by e-mail.

Attendance Times – Attendance times will be any time between 2.00pm and 4.45pm Monday –Thursday and between 2.00pm and 4.30pm on Fridays and those attending will be seen on a first come first served basis.

Hertsmere Borough is operating a One Stop Shop Service and any responses to enquiries you have requested will be provided together with the result of your personal search in the form of a print out from our Reception/Customer Services Department situated on the ground floor on payment of the prescribed fees.

Inspection of other statutory registers, Planning Register, Adopted Local Plan, etc will also be made available on request from the 1-stop shop.

Payment of Fees:  The Council will accept the following methods of payment:-

• The Councils preferred options are debit card and/or credit card. We will also accept cash/postal order personal cheque with guarantee card and a company cheque if presented by a “duly authorised officer” of the company.

Details of our fees are set out below.

Personal Search Fees : from 6th April 2009

Under the Local Land Charges (amendment) rules 2009, statutory instruments 2009 no.2494 (L.27), the new personal search fee of £22.00 will come into force on 1st January 2010.

• Search of the Local Land Charges Register: (Statutory Fee)   £11.00
• Each additional parcel of land  (Statutory Fee)    £  1.00

Hertsmere Borough Council currently provides a printout showing the entries in the local Land Charges Register at no additional cost which the agent may take away.   This additional service is not statutory and the Council reserves the right to review provision of this service which could include withdrawal of the service.

CON29R Questions in compiled format:

Note:
Fees for all CON29 enquiries for additional parcel or parcels of land £1.00 per enquiry

Drainage Enquiries can be obtained from Thames Water. PO Box 3189, Slough SL1 4WW DX 151280 Slough 13 Tel. 0118 925 1504  email searches@thameswater.co.uk a fee will be charged.

Highways Enquiries can be obtained from Hertfordshire County Council, Land Charges Section, The Old Courthouse, St. Albans Road East, Hatfield AL10 OES. DX  10070 Hatfield.  A fee will be charged.

If you require further information regarding our Personal Search service. Please contact the Councils Land Charges Section. At Civic Offices Elstree Way Borehamwood WD6 1WA
DX 45602 Borehamwood. Tel 0208 207 7491 or email land.charges@hertsmere.gov.uk