Click here for frequently asked questions on this
subject.
Click here for details of properties currently available for sale
or rent.
Enquiries as to whether or not the Council owns a particular
property or piece of land should be directed to one of the
following (please read on for further details of what information
we need in order to respond):
Property Services, Northgate House, Upper Borough Walls,
Bath BA11RG.
Telephone: 01225 477105
Fax: 01225 477108
E-mail: PALS_AdminHelpdesk@bathnes.gov.uk
The Council has a computerised system of Ordnance Survey maps
showing the boundaries of all land owned by the Council along with
details of acquisitions and disposals. Using these maps
together with database records, Property Services holds
details of leases, lettings, licences easements and rights of way
in Council Ownership, as well as which Council department is
responsible. If you let us know the reason for your enquiry
we will normally be able to direct you to the person best able to
assist you further if the land or property in question is Council
owned.
Can you tell me whether a particular property
or piece of land is Council owned?
What if I want to know who owns private
property?
What if my enquiry concerns highway
land?
What information do I need to give you
before you can tell me whether the Council owns a particular
property or area of land?
Can I make my enquiry
online?
Is there a charge for this
information?
How long will it take you to find out the
information I have requested?
The Council owes me chief rent - who can I
speak to?
Can you tell me whether a particular
property or piece of land is Council owned?
Yes, provided the precise location of the land concerned can be
accurately described (see below for information we need in order to
help you)
What if I want to know who owns private
property?
The Council does not hold a record of private land ownership.
The only public record of such ownerships is held by the Land
Registry. Please contact Land Registry - Plymouth Office by
one of the following means:
Land Registry - Plymouth Office, Plumer House, Tailyour Road,
Crownhill, Plymouth PL6 5HY
Telephone: 01752 636000 Fax: 01752 636161
or by visiting www.landreg.gov.uk to obtain the
relevant enquiry form if you wish to search the Land Registry's
records. A small fee is charged for this service. Note
that the Land Registry will be unable to assist you if it turns out
that the land concerned is unregistered, in which case you may need
to make enquiries locally with neighbours. Alternatively, if
the land is subject to development proposals Planning Services will
be able to provide information on recent applications for planning
consent received by the Council. Planning Services
Homepage
What if my enquiry concerns highway
land?
Land maintained by the Council as part of the adopted highway is
managed separately to land in Council ownership, and is not dealt
with directly by Property Services. The Highway Record is
maintained by the Council's Land Charges Team in Environmental
& Consumer Services. If you think the land you are
concerned about may be highway then Land Charges should be able to
advise you. Land
Charges Homepage
What information do
I need to give you before you can tell me whether the Council owns
a particular property or area of land?
We need to know the boundaries of the land in question and if
possible the full postal address. We should be able to give
an initial response as to whether or not the Council owns any land
in the vicinity from a telephone enquiry, but for a more precise
answer a plan showing the exact boundaries of the land should be
submitted by fax or post or brought into the office (see contact
details at the top of the page).
Can I make my enquiry online?
The Council is currently developing a system to make maps
accessible via the website which will enhance online access.
Until this is in place, for land or property with a postal
address (or which can be described accurately without a detailed
plan) enquiries may be submitted by e-mail to the address
above.
Is there a charge for this
information?
Not at present. However, dependent upon the future demand for
this service, the Council may consider introducing a charge to
offset the administrative costs.
How long will it take you to find out the
information I have requested?
Again, this will be dependent upon demand and also upon the need
for a detailed plan to be submitted to the Council. If the
level of enquiries remains manageable, and provided all necessary
details have been provided to us, then a telephone response can
normally be given within one working day. In certain cases,
depending on the complexity of land ownership in the area,
reference to the Council's deeds may be required in which case the
enquiry may take longer.
The Council owes me chief rent - who can I
speak to?
Please contact the Council, using one of the contact methods at
the top of the page, providing details of the property concerned,
the chief rent due and the amount owing.
