What is a Personal Search?

A Personal Search is a search of the Local Land Charges Register, carried out in accordance with the Local Land Charges Act 1975 and Local Land Charges Rules 1977(as amended)

Please note that following publication of Statutory Instruments 2010 no 1812 ‘The Local Land Charges (Amendment) Rules 2010 the charge for inspection of the Local Land Charges Register has been withdrawn.

Warrington Borough Council will not make any charge for a personal search, but appointments should still be made in accordance with the following procedure

How do I carry out a Personal Search?

Warrington Borough Council Local Land Charges Register is held in electronic format, it is therefore necessary to operate an appointment system.  Details as below:

• Appointments for personal searches can be made by telephoning Development Services on 01925 442819
• Once you have been given your appointment time please ask to be transferred to the Local Land Charges section on 01925 442160
• Appointment times are between 10 to 12am and 2 to 4pm, Monday to Friday
• 24 hours notice must be given for appointments.
• The company’s name and telephone number must be given
• The full address of the property (or area of land) against which you are searching must be provided
• It is essential that a good quality, up-to-date plan clearly showing the boundaries of the property in context with the surrounding area is provided to the Local Land Charges Section in all cases, no later than 24 hours prior to the appointment time.
• We will provide information only on the area identified and it is your responsibility to ensure that the identified land is correct.  Failure to provide a clearly outlined plan within the specified time period may result in the cancellation of an appointment.
• Plans should either be faxed to 01925 442044 or e-mailed to landcharges@warrington.gov.uk
• It is strictly prohibited for you to photograph or scan the information provided.  You are allowed to take notes of your personal search and at the end of your appointment all documents should be returned to Development Control reception.

You may also view Planning and Building Control information at the same time and place as receiving your Register results.

If a Personal Search, rather than a Local Authority search, is used and an error is made in extracting the information provided, then the private search company, or their clients, would have no claim under section 10 of the Local Land Charges Act 1975, which relates to compensation for loss.

We are looking to further review our personal search service to you over the coming weeks and we will advise you of these changes in due course.

Our aim is to provide a more efficient and effective service to you and if you have any further suggestions for the personal search service please contact landcharges@warrington.gov.uk.