Legislation states that Council must, within eight (8) clear business days, after receiving a Search request, provide the applicant with the information requested.

Alexandrina Council does not complete "urgent searches", but we do endeavour to process them as quickly as possible.

All Search requests must be submitted in writing, by email to alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au

23/24 Search fees

Full search: $66.75

• All full search requests must have the CT attached.

Rates Search $39.00

Free Updates: If the new search request is made within 30 days of a previously paid full search, the new one can be provided free of charge. The request must still be emailed in.

Cancellation: If a customer wishes to cancel their search request it must be done in writing to council within the 8 days post the request.

Property and Rate Searches provide information on particular properties. They can only be ordered by or on behalf of a person who has an interest in the land. The information provided is in accordance with the following Acts and Regulations:

• The Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Act 1994 (Section 7 and 12)
• The Land and Business (Sale and Conveyancing) Regulations 2010 (Schedule 2 & 3)
• The Local Government Act 1999 (Section 187 (1)) Section 187 Rates Certificate.

For the purposes of ordering a search, the Local Government Act 1999 (Section 187) states that a person has an interest in land if and only if that person is:

• the owner of a registered estate or interest in the land, or
• an occupier of the land, or
• a person who has entered or declares to the council that he or she proposes to enter into a contract to purchase the land, or a mortgagee or prospective mortgagee of the land.

What is a Section 7 Property Search?

A full search includes a Section 7 and consists of three components:

Rates (Section 187): A rates certificate is generated which shows rates levied for this financial year and outstanding rates due.

Environmental Health: The specific property is checked against the contaminated land register to identify whether any relevant notices have been issued.

Development Services including information pertaining to:

• Previous applications to check whether there are any continuing conditions,
• Records of Approvals/Applications relating to potentially contaminating activities which pose possible site contamination
• A copy of the indemnity insurance (if available)
• Heritage Information
• Details Land Management Agreements
• Current notices issued for that particular property are indicated on the search.
• Property Zoning and Policy Area in accordance with Councils Development Plan
• Any Orders that may apply/continue to apply under any of the following Acts,
  • Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act 2016
  • Fire and Emergency Services Act 2005
  • Food Act 2001
  • Housing Improvement Act 2016
  • Local Government Act 1934 & 1999
  • South Australian Public Health Act 2011