Application for Property, Water and Building Data

Hinchinbrook Shire Council (Ingham, Lucinda, Halifax and surrounds) uses form CCS 299 for rate, water and building information. Council says a rates and water search gives current rates and water charges, any arrears or outstanding interest and water usage balances, taken from an inspection of council records only as at the date of inspection. That information is the land record a Queensland council must keep for rateable land (Local Government Regulation 2012 s 154). Overdue rates and charges are a charge on the land (Local Government Act 2009 s 95), which is why buyers order it. The form also orders an interim water reading and building record searches for domestic or commercial buildings, the commercial search including issue of a certificate of classification.

When you need it

• You are buying property in the Hinchinbrook Shire and need a full rate search before settlement.
• You only need ownership and property particulars, not rates figures (a limited rate search).
• You need an interim water reading so water usage can be adjusted.
• You want council's building records for a house or a commercial building.

1. 1

   Contact information

   Give your reference, full name, postal address, email and contact number.

2. 2

   Property information

   Enter the real property description, where the property is situated, the area, the proposed settlement date, and the vendor and purchaser.

3. 3

   Choose the searches

   Non-urgent (five business days): full rate search, limited rate search, interim water reading, or building record search (domestic or commercial). Urgent (two business days): full or limited rate search, or a priority domestic or commercial building record search.

4. 4

   Declaration

   Sign and date the declaration acknowledging that the information will not give rise to a cause of action and releasing council's officers from any duty of care.

• Return the form by email to council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au, in person at council's main office, 25 Lannercost Street, Ingham, or by post to PO Box 366, Ingham QLD 4850. Phone 07 4776 4600.
• The application must be accompanied by the prescribed fee. Council's property searches page links its payment options.
• Non-urgent searches take five business days and urgent searches two. Council says giving an email address gets results to you faster than post.
• Council's page says applications cannot be cancelled once processing has started. Fees are printed on the form; check the current version.

• A limited rate search does not provide rates and charges information. Order the full rate search for settlement figures.
• If you have not received a rate search after five business days, council's page says to email council@hinchinbrook.qld.gov.au.
• Council's page suggests asking your solicitor or conveyancer which searches the contract needs.