CON 29 Local Enquiries

 
Changes from 1st August 2007


From 1 August 2007 the CON 29 forms of standard and optional enquiries of local authority last updated in 2002 will be replaced by two new forms:

CON 29R Enquiries of local authority (2007); and
CON 29O Optional enquiries of local authority (2007)

Any 2002 editions of the CON 29 forms submitted to LAs may be rejected from 1 August 2007.

The forms have been updated to reflect various changes to the law, including building regulations, commons registration, and the phased introduction of Home Information Packs.

From 1 August a Home Information Pack (HIP) must be available for houses marketed as having four or more bedrooms. A HIP is comprised of ‘Required’ and ‘Authorised’ documents and information. Replies to ‘local enquiries’ (CON29R) are ‘Required’ information. The text of these ‘local enquiries’ is prescribed by the Home Information Pack (No.2) Regulations 2007, Schedule 7, Part 2. Replies to CON 29O Optional enquiries of local authority (2007) are authorised for inclusion in a HIP.

Form CON 29R, which replaces form CON 29 Standard enquiries of local authority (2002), reflects the enquiries contained in the HIPs Regulations 2007. Page 1 of the form includes space in Box E for the person making the enquiry to enter the names of those who are involved in the sale. This will enable LAs to make replies that comply with the Home Information Pack (No.2) Regulations 2007. The names requested are those of the:

Vendor
Estate agent
HIP provider
Solicitor/Conveyancer

Replies to these enquiries by LAs must be made in a way that complies with Schedules 6 and 7 of the Home Information Pack (No.2) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007 No.1667).

The new form CON 29R should be used from 1 August 2007 whether or not enquiries of local authority are made for the purposes of including the replies in a Home Information Pack. However, it will only be appropriate for those making enquiries to complete BOX E if they intend to include the replies in a Home Information Pack.

The Government has announced its intention to phase in the duties to provide a Home Information Pack for other properties by making further commencement orders for 3 bedroom and smaller properties in the future.

Con29R.pdf
Con29O.pdf