Property Search Request Form

Cassowary Coast Regional Council (Innisfail, Tully, Mission Beach and surrounds) uses this form for rates-based property searches; building records searches have their own form. A rates search reports the position on council's land record for the property (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154), which a buyer needs because overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95). Most search options include council's ownership transfer fee, a cost-recovery fee for recording a change of ownership of land (Local Government Act 2009 s 97(2)(b)). The new owner must notify council of the change within 30 days, which can be done through the transfer documents lodged with the Titles Registry (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 161).

When you need it

• You are buying property on the Cassowary Coast and need rates, a water meter reading and zoning details before settlement.
• You need only a water meter reading, or a rates search without a meter reading.
• You are buying a business and need council's trade waste pretreatment device information.

1. 1

   Section 1 - applicant details

   Give the applicant's name, postal address, reference, email address and phone number. All sections are mandatory, and searches are provided by email.

2. 2

   Section 2 - property details

   Enter the lot and plan, property address, vendor, purchaser, anticipated settlement date and improvements. If the same buyer is purchasing more than one parcel with the same date of possession, contact council's Rates and Revenue section before submitting.

3. 3

   Section 3 - certificates requested

   Tick one option: standard or urgent standard search (rates, water reading, zoning and ownership fee), search only or urgent search only (no water meter reading), water meter reading or urgent water meter reading (meter reading and zoning, no rates), or trade waste (per business).

• Send the form to Cassowary Coast Regional Council, PO Box 887, Innisfail QLD 4860, or email enquiries@cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au. Council's property searches page says to complete the form and organise payment of the fee.
• Standard searches take 7 business days and urgent searches 3. Trade waste searches take 5 working days.
• A search must arrive by midday to count that day. After midday, the timeframe starts the next business day.
• Fees are per property (trade waste per business) and printed on the form. Check the current version before paying.

• The ownership transfer fee built into the search is refundable if settlement does not happen.
• Council's page lists transfers that can be exempt from the ownership transfer fee, such as a transfer to a former spouse or partner on separation, to a surviving joint tenant, or under a will or intestacy. Purchases in the name of a trust or company are not exempt.
• Order the Building Records Search Request Form separately if you also need building approval history.