The Law Society’s revisions to the CON29 forms have now been in place since Monday 4 July and have been rolled out successfully to conveyancers, reports SearchFlow, property intelligence specialists.
The changes to CON29 forms have been implemented to improve the quality and consistency of information. In addition, some new mandatory questions to the forms relating to Community Infrastructure Levies (CIL), Assets of Community Value and Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and Public Paths & Byways have been introduced.
The changes to questions have been implemented for both local authority searches and personal (regulated) searches.
95% of the local authorities have successfully reinstated their systems to deal with the changes and the remaining local authorities are set to be fully functioning in a matter of days.
Greg Bryce, managing director of SearchFlow, comments: “Our ordering platform with the updated changes to our system was fully operational and available to use from the outset. In addition, all but a very small percentage of local authorities that closed early had reinstated their systems.
“Any concerns regarding the roll out have been allayed. Most of our clients have been unaffected and able to process their local authority searches without delay. For the small minority that have been impacted we are working closely with them to ensure minimal disruption.”
In partnership with Land Data, the NLIS regulator, SearchFlow hosted a webinar to cover the CON29 changes. If conveyancers would like a copy of the webinar please contact the SearchFlow marketing department.
Jan Boothroyd, chief executive of Land Data comments: “In an effort to ensure as smooth a transition as possible the CON29 working party, under the auspices of The Law Society, worked hard to keep all of the relevant parties involved and informed.
“Land Data, as a working party member joined forces with the NLIS Hub to provide a vital element in collaborating on key technical areas and we are delighted to hear disruption has been minimal.”
If conveyancers are concerned about orders with a local authority, we recommend they get in touch with their account manager or the SearchFlow helpdesk to help expedite the process.
