News East Devon District Council improves the property-buying process in the area

From today, buying a property in East Devon has become quicker and simpler for everyone.

As part of its digital transformation, East Devon District Council (EDDC) have worked with HM Land Registry to transfer the local land charges (LLC) service to their 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 local land charges 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.

Councillor Olly Davey, EDDC's Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, said: “Anything that simplifies and speeds up the process of buying a property is to be welcomed, and I am delighted that EDDC is now able to offer this service through its collaboration with the Land Registry.  I am sure it has been a considerable task to transfer all the relevant data, and I commend the efforts of our officers to achieve this outcome.”

EDDC's transformation supports wider government priorities to make property transactions quicker, simpler, and cheaper. 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.

EDDC are pleased to be among the early adopters of the new register, which enables our customers to benefit from a transparent user-friendly service. For more information visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/hm-land-registry-local-land-charges-programme/local-land-charges-programme.