Inspection of Records Application

An inspection of records search is Brisbane City Council's standard pre-settlement property search. Council says it provides the current rates position and other information about a property, and can be requested when a property is changing hands or when researching it. It can include resident parking permit information, protected vegetation under the Natural Assets Local Law 2003, flooding reports (the form mentions a Floodwise Property Report), road acquisitions and study areas, a locality map, plumbing and drainage information, stormwater network information, property notices and defects, and environmental health licences. It does not include infrastructure charges, the water and wastewater balance, or building approvals and certification, which need separate searches. This paper form (CC1495) is for lodging in person or by mail; council also takes the same search online.

When you need it

• You are buying or selling in Brisbane and need the rates position and council notices on the property before settlement.
• You want flooding, stormwater, road acquisition or protected vegetation information for a property you are researching.
• You prefer to lodge and pay by cheque or in person rather than through council's online form.

1. 1

   Applicant details and delivery

   Give the contact name, company, contact number, applicant's reference number and customer number if you have one, and choose email or postal delivery with the address.

2. 2

   Choose Standard or Fast Track

   Enter the settlement or critical date and tick one option: Standard (12 business days) or Fast Track (3 business days, extra fee). The form says the date should determine which you choose.

3. 3

   Search property

   Enter the real property description (lot on plan; for new survey plans, including community titles schemes, use the new description), any previous cancelling description, the street number, street and any additional street frontage, suburb, and tick house, unit, vacant land, commercial or other.

4. 4

   Vendor

   Give the vendor's full name.

• In person: lodge the form and pay at any Brisbane City Council Customer Centre.
• By mail: send the form with a cheque to Brisbane City Council, GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001.
• Online: council's inspection of records page has an online form, paid by credit card. You need the lot on plan number, which is on the survey plan, title or rates account.
• Council aims to process a Standard search within 12 business days of receipt and a Fast Track within 3 business days. Fees for both are listed on council's inspection of records page; check them before paying.

• Order a separate Building Searches Application for approved building applications. The inspection of records search does not cover them.
• Zoning and town planning information comes from a Planning and Development Certificate, which is a separate application. Registered easements in favour of council are not provided either.
• The statement of conditions says the land and improvements are not inspected for this search, and the information is given on that understanding.
• Road planning in greater Brisbane is also a State responsibility, so the form suggests asking the State transport agency about road proposals as well.