Costs guide
Local Authority Search Cost UK (2026)
Updated 29 May 2026
A local authority search costs around £100 to £250 in 2026, depending on the council, with some councils much cheaper for personal searches. It is made up of two parts, the LLC1 register of local land charges and the CON29 enquiries, and it reveals planning permissions, building regulations history, road status, and any charges or notices affecting the property. It is the most expensive of the core searches.
Local authority search and the wider pack (UK, 2026)
| Search | Typical cost | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Local authority search (LLC1 + CON29) | £100 to £250 | Planning, roads, charges |
| Drainage and water search (CON29DW) | £40 to £75 | Water and sewers |
| Environmental search | £40 to £70 | Contamination, flood, ground |
| Coal mining search (CON29M) | £30 to £60 | Mining (affected areas) |
| Full conveyancing search pack | £250 to £450 | All of the above combined |
What a local authority search is
The local authority search is the search your conveyancer makes against the council's records. It has two parts: the LLC1, which is the official register of local land charges, and the CON29, a standard set of enquiries about the property and the area immediately around it.
Cost varies a lot by council, from around £100 to £250, because each authority sets its own fee for the CON29 and for the LLC1. Some councils are much cheaper if a personal search is carried out rather than an official one.
What the search shows
- Planning permissions, refusals and conditions affecting the property.
- Building regulations completion certificates and any enforcement notices.
- Whether the road serving the property is publicly maintained or private.
- Tree preservation orders, conservation area status and listed building controls.
- Financial charges on the property, road schemes, and contaminated land notices.
Official versus personal searches
An official search is processed by the council itself. A personal search is carried out by a private search company inspecting the same public records, and it is often cheaper, which is why the price range is so wide.
Most lenders accept either, but some prefer an official search, so it is worth checking with your conveyancer and lender before choosing the cheapest option. The information should be the same; the difference is who compiles it and the level of comeback if something is missed.
Is it worth it
Yes, and it is effectively unavoidable for a mortgaged purchase. It is the search most likely to reveal a deal-affecting issue: an unauthorised extension with no building regulations sign-off, a planned road scheme, or a charge on the property.
At £100 to £250 it is the priciest core search, which is exactly why screening a property before you order it makes sense. You do not want to pay it twice because a sale fell through.
How to triage cheaply before you pay
The local authority search is part of the £250 to £450 pack ordered once your offer is accepted and your solicitor is instructed. Before that, free and low-cost checks can flag obvious concerns so you only commit on a property worth the search fees.
HomeBuyerCheck's free report covers sales history, EPC, flood risk, crime, schools and council tax for any address. The £4.99 Premium report adds listed and conservation status, ground risk, ownership from HM Land Registry, Companies House links and more, plus an AI buyer's verdict. That gives you a strong pre-offer picture before you pay £100 to £250 for the official search.
Check any UK property before you offer
Free instant report; Premium from £4.99 adds ownership, ground risk and AI buyer's verdict.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a local authority search in the UK?
A local authority search costs around £100 to £250 in 2026, depending on the council. The LLC1 register and the CON29 enquiries are charged separately and personal searches are often cheaper than official ones.
Why does the local authority search cost vary so much?
Each council sets its own fee for the CON29, and the choice between an official search and a cheaper personal search affects the price. That is why the range runs from around £100 to £250.
What is the difference between LLC1 and CON29?
The LLC1 is the official register of local land charges affecting the property. The CON29 is a set of standard enquiries about planning, roads and the surrounding area. Together they form the local authority search of £100 to £250.
Is a local authority search mandatory?
It is not a statutory requirement, but mortgage lenders require it, so any buyer with a mortgage will pay for it. Cash buyers can skip it, though it is the search most likely to reveal a deal-affecting issue.
Can I check planning and listing status before paying for the search?
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.
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