What is a land charge?
It depends where you saw the phrase. It can describe a public restriction on land, a mortgage on a registered property, or an interest protected against unregistered land. The record and its wording tell you which.
A “charge” is not always a debt. A conservation area designation, a condition attached to planning permission and a mortgage can appear in different records and have different effects.
Three records, three questions
Local land charge
Is there a public-law restriction or obligation affecting this location?
Read the guide 02Registered title charge
What burdens, including mortgages, appear on this property’s title?
Read the guide 03Land Charges Register
What interests have been protected against an owner of unregistered land?
Read the guideChecking a particular property?
Work out whether the land is registered, inspect the relevant title or deeds, and obtain the local search information. The searches answer different questions.
Source notes
This guide explains the position in England and Wales in plain language. Follow the official source for the full rules and current service arrangements.