From Monday 24 April, buying a property in Hull will become quicker and simpler for everyone.
As part of its digital transformation, the council has worked with HM Land Registry to transfer local land charges (LLC) service to the 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 LLC 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.
Ian Anderson, Director of Legal & Partnerships for Hull City Council, said: “The council’s Land Charges Team has worked closely in partnership with HM Land Registry to ensure the accurate and efficient transfer of information currently maintained by the council onto the new digital register.
“This will bring benefits to those wishing to purchase property in the city and we are pleased to be among the early adopters of the new national register.”
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.
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.
For more information visit gov.uk.
