Conveyancing searches explained: the LLC1, the CON29 and the other searches a purchase may need

What is a local authority search?

A local authority search has two parts. The first is the LLC1, a search of the Local Land Charges Register. Councils are joining the HM Land Registry Local Land Charges register one by one, so the LLC1 for a council that has joined comes from HM Land Registry. Check which service your council uses.

The second is the CON29, a set of enquiries that the council answers. For example, Woking Borough Council describes its standard enquiries as agreed by the Law Society, and says it deals with all CON29 and CON29O enquiries itself.

What does the LLC1 cover?

The LLC1 shows whether there are registered restrictions or obligations affecting the property. As an example, Woking Borough Council lists planning conditions, highways agreements, tree preservation orders, conservation areas, listed buildings and environmental health notices.

What do the CON29 questions cover?

As an example, Woking Borough Council says its standard CON29 enquiries deal with issues such as road schemes, planning history and environmental matters. Optional questions sit on a separate form, the CON29O, which the council also answers.

Which other searches can a purchase need?

Drainage and water. Water companies provide the drainage and water enquiries. For example, United Utilities provides official domestic CON29DW drainage and water enquiries for properties in its North West area, and offers a postcode checker to confirm whether a property falls within its sewerage footprint.

Environmental and flood. GOV.UK’s flood service tells you about an area’s long term risk from rivers and the sea, surface water, reservoirs and groundwater (where data is available). It does not tell you how likely it is that an individual property will flood, or about flood risk from blocked drains and burst pipes. Some Mining Remediation Authority reports also cover environmental and flood risk.

Coal mining. GOV.UK says a coal mining report gives information on mine entries within 20 metres of a property’s boundaries, gas emissions from coal mines and other reported coal mining hazards, and that a solicitor or conveyancer will usually do a coal mining search if you are buying in an affected area.

Chancel repair. Chancel repair liability is the liability of the owner of land to pay for the repair of the chancel of a parish church, according to HM Land Registry’s practice guide for conveyancers. It lost its overriding status at midnight on 12 October 2013 and can be protected by a notice on the register, either agreed or unilateral. HM Land Registry’s guidance on historical rights explains that whether you could be affected depends on the history of the land or the area.

What does the council search not cover?

The council search does not cover private land ownership or property boundaries. For example, Woking Borough Council says those enquiries should go to HM Land Registry.

Is my council’s register already with HM Land Registry?

Councils are joining one at a time. The GOV.UK page records the date each council joined the Local Land Charges register, for example Horsham District Council on 13 October 2026. Check whether your council has joined before you rely on an older result.