A Local Authority Search is one of a number of searches carried out by solicitors or licensed conveyancers on behalf of their clients, prior to land or property being purchased, re-mortgaged or re-valued.  

The search provides information about planning matters, highways, local plan proposals and enforcement matters.

A search is also made of the Local Land Charges Register.  This register holds details of charges or restrictions affecting properties or land; examples could be listed buildings, Tree Preservation Orders, conservation areas or grants.

For information on fees for Local Authority Searches and further advice, please see: Local Land Charges Fees 2011 (pdf, 123kb) (opens in a new window) .

Electronic searches and NLIS

Whilst paper searches are still accepted and processed as per normal, we are now also able to accept your search requests electronically.  If you are interested in submitting your Local Authority Search electronically, please either contact the National Land and Property Information Service (opens in a new window) or us to go through the process with you and advise of the various options available.

Personal searches

It is also possible to carry out a Personal Search of the Land Charges Register.  This type of search, however, is only a search of the Local Land Charge Register and does not supply all of the information provided in a full Local Authority Search.  Nothing is signed by the council and it is the responsibility of the personal searcher to make notes of any Local Land Charges revealed.  A Personal Search should not be seen as the equivalent of a Local Authority Search completed and signed by the council.

If you are planning to undertake a Personal Search with us, please be aware that the council closes at 4pm on Fridays.

• Local Land Charges Department
  Name: Local Land Charges
  Email: landcharges@north-dorset.gov.uk
  Tel: 01258 484023
  Fax: 01258 484230
  Full details for Local Land Charges