Costs guide
CON29 Search Cost UK (2026): What's Included
Updated 29 May 2026
The CON29 is not bought on its own; it is part of the local authority search, which costs around £100 to £250 in 2026 depending on the council. The CON29 is the set of standard enquiries about a property covering planning, building regulations, roads, notices and nearby schemes. It is supplied alongside the LLC1 register of local land charges as a single search pack.
CON29 within the local authority search (UK, 2026)
| Item | Typical cost | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| LLC1 + CON29 (local authority search) | £100 to £250 | Planning, roads, charges, notices |
| LLC1 register of local land charges | Part of the pack | Charges and restrictions on the property |
| CON29 standard enquiries | Part of the pack | Planning, building regs, roads, schemes |
| CON29O optional enquiries | Extra fee per enquiry | Less common matters on request |
| Full conveyancing search pack | £250 to £450 | Local authority plus drainage and environmental |
What the CON29 is
The CON29 is a standard set of enquiries your conveyancer raises with the local council when you buy a property. It is one half of the local authority search. The other half is the LLC1, the official register of local land charges. The two are ordered and supplied together.
Because the CON29 is part of that pack, it does not have a price of its own that you pay separately. The combined LLC1 and CON29 search costs around £100 to £250, with the figure set by each council and by whether an official or personal search is used.
What the CON29 enquiries cover
- Planning permissions, refusals, conditions and any current planning applications affecting the property.
- Building regulations approvals and completion certificates, and any building control enforcement.
- Whether the road serving the property is publicly maintained or remains private.
- Road schemes, traffic schemes and any nearby development proposals on the council's records.
- Enforcement and stop notices, financial charges, and contaminated land notices held by the authority.
CON29 standard versus CON29O optional enquiries
The CON29 has two layers. The standard CON29 enquiries are included in the local authority search and cover the matters most buyers need. The CON29O optional enquiries are less common questions, such as those about public paths or pipelines, which are only raised on request and carry an extra fee per enquiry.
Your conveyancer will advise whether any optional enquiries are worth adding for a particular property. For most homes the standard CON29 is enough, and the optional enquiries are reserved for properties with specific features.
How the CON29 sits with the LLC1
The LLC1 reveals charges registered against the property itself, such as financial charges, conservation area status and tree preservation orders. The CON29 answers wider questions about planning, roads and the area around the property. Together they form the local authority search.
Some councils break out the LLC1 and CON29 fees on the bill, which is why the total ranges from around £100 to £250. The choice between an official search compiled by the council and a cheaper personal search by a private company also affects the price.
How to triage cheaply before you pay
The local authority search, including the CON29, is part of the £250 to £450 conveyancing pack ordered once your offer is accepted and your solicitor is instructed. Before that point you can do free homework so you only pay on a property you intend to buy.
HomeBuyerCheck gives a free instant report on any address covering sales history, EPC, flood risk from the Environment Agency, crime, schools and council tax. The £4.99 Premium report adds ground risk, radon, listed and conservation status, ownership from HM Land Registry, Companies House links, Building Safety Register and tribunal records, plus an AI buyer's verdict. Running that pre-offer means you commit to the £100 to £250 official search only on a property you actually want.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a CON29 search cost in the UK?
The CON29 is not priced on its own. It forms part of the local authority search alongside the LLC1, and that combined search costs around £100 to £250 in 2026 depending on the council.
What is the difference between the CON29 and the LLC1?
The LLC1 is the register of local land charges affecting the property, such as financial charges and conservation status. The CON29 is a set of enquiries about planning, building regulations, roads and nearby schemes. Together they make up the local authority search of £100 to £250.
What does the CON29 cover?
The CON29 covers planning permissions and applications, building regulations history, road status, road and traffic schemes, enforcement notices, financial charges and contaminated land notices held by the council.
What are CON29O optional enquiries?
CON29O optional enquiries are less common questions, such as those on public paths or pipelines, raised only on request. They carry an extra fee per enquiry and are added to the standard CON29 when a property's features make them relevant.
Can I check planning and listing status before paying for the CON29?
Yes. HomeBuyerCheck's £4.99 Premium report shows listed building and conservation area status plus ownership from HM Land Registry, so you can screen a property pre-offer before committing to the £100 to £250 local authority search that includes the CON29.
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