From Monday 1 December, buying a property in Derby has become quicker and simpler for residents and businesses.
As part of its digital transformation, the Council has worked with HM Land Registry to transfer its Local Land Charges (LLC) service to their 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.
Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services said:
Moving Derby’s local land charges onto HM Land Registry’s national digital register is an important step in our wider ambition to make buying a property easier – it will also support a stronger and more efficient property market.
Derby is a growing city with a thriving housing sector and streamlining the way that property information is accessed will make a real difference for residents, businesses and developers. Whether someone is purchasing their first home or businesses are investing in new homes, this improved service helps to ensure that Derby remains a great place to live, work and build for the future.
The Council’s 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.