Access to information and charging arrangements

This page provides more information about accessing the information you need to complete the CON29R and CON29O enquiry forms.

Statutory registers

All statutory registers and public documents can be accessed in their standard format.

Non-statutory registers

Non-statutory register information is provided to you in the same format that the local land charges team accesses it and also to ensure equal and level access to base data. The data is supplied in this format because we obtain it via automated computer systems.

Information is available to purchase on a whole data set basis as the current functionality of our computer system does not allow interrogation on a part question by part question basis. We are currently investigating the possibility of providing the information on a part question basis and are investigating the costs of system developments to provide this type of access. However any system costs incurred will be attributable to the overall costs of the access service and it is likely that this will increase the costs of access in future years.

Cost of information

The fee is set in accordance with the Local Authorities (England) (Charges for Property Searches) Regulations 2008 and having had regard to the Local Authority property Search Services-Costing Guidance issued by Communities and Local Government in January 2009.

Not all the information needed to reply to the CON29 forms is contained in statutory registers available for inspection free of charge or in public documents. See CON29R information locations to see what information is available and where you can access it from.

Access and maintenance charges differ as does the time involved in replying to or providing access to the information.

Search volumes and costs will be monitored throughout the year to enable us to calculate costs and fees for 2010/11. New fees will come into effect on 1 April 2010.

Appointment system

The council operates an appointment system. By operating this appointment system we are able to dedicate the relevant staff and resources to ensuring your enquiry is dealt speedily and efficiently.