LLCs are generally required in the property-buying process, with searches revealing whether a property is subject to a charge. However, Land Registry said it had received feedback that the search results were overly complicated and revealed too much information.
As a result it is changing the information included, in a bid to make the search results simpler and more accessible.
Mark Edwards, LLC Service Manager, explained: “We have learned so much more from customers and users about how they use HM Land Registry’s Local Land Charges service and what works for them.
“Following their feedback, the introduction of these changes mean that we can provide a better customer service and reduce some of the work required by users to interpret LLC data. We are engaging with our user groups and are always looking to improve our service design to create the best service possible.”
Land Registry is currently working with local authorities in England in order to migrate their LLC data on a central, digital register. It hopes that once migrated, users will be able to get instant online search results for that area.
This will not only mean that search results are returned within minutes, rather than the 39 day average, but also slash the cost of an official search from as high as £85 to £15.
The next local authority to go live on the LLC Register will be Milton Keynes Council of 27th August.
