One of our local authority clients are currently recruiting for a Land Charge Officer. This is a 3 month temporary contract with possible further extension based on budget and performance.

Main Purpose of Post/Job Summary

The purpose of the Local Land Charges job is to maintain and manage the Local Land Charges Register, which contains details of legal restrictions or obligations that affect a property or land. These restrictions could include planning permissions, tree preservation orders, conservation areas, or listed building status, among others.

The job involves carrying out searches on behalf of property buyers, solicitors, and other interested parties to identify any charges or restrictions that may affect the property or land and to ensure that relevant parties are informed of any legal restrictions or obligations that may affect a property or land, to protect the interests of buyers and owners, and to support the effective management of land and property.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Day to day processing of searches within all parts of the register and Form CON29 using the LLC computerised systems
• Processing land charges searches within agreed timescales, including vetting applications, fees and reports.
• Taking payments, checking and reconciling search fees submitted, and balancing all income, ensuring appropriate invoices are raised.
• Update and maintain the register of LLC and associated Ordinance Survey maps using computer systems, with charges and information from other Council departments and central government bodies.
• Extract site information from the Planning, Building Control history records and other relevant Environmental history records and databases.
• Contributing to the introduction of new systems and procedures to assist in providing an efficient, cost-effective and customer-oriented service.
• Assessing requests for data to add/remove from the register if deemed incomplete, incorrect or expired.
• Compiling, collating and returning all responses to searches received regarding information on properties or land swiftly and accurately.
• Responsibility for the compilation and continual maintenance of service operational systems and records, liaising with other departments and external bodies to ensure data is accurate and investigating any discrepancies.
• Assist solicitors’ representatives and the public who wish to carry out searches, interpret and advise on the implication of LLC charges and offer support and information where required within the council’s set guidelines.
• To meet service and personal appraisal targets, working on own initiative, prioritising workloads and demands to meet set performance targets.
• Practical use of GIS mapping systems Earthlight and other databases IDOX cloud (Land Charges, Planning, Building Control) and written records to collate all the relevant information on the site history.
• Liaising with and coordinating responses for personal search companies in accordance with government guidelines, and liaising with other Council departments and external agencies to ensure the provision of high-quality land charges services.
• Forming effective working relationships and engaging with Officers across the Council and maintain effective relationships with partners and other external bodies and using these relationships to continually improve service delivery and promote the Council
• At all times, carry out responsibilities/duties with regard to the Council’s Equal Opportunity Employment Policy.

The above is a brief overview of the role, details and specification will be provided should you be successful. If interested in this position, please send your CV to Nia Hirani at Coyle Personnel Ltd.