Council Search Application (F236)

Every Queensland council must keep a land record for each parcel of rateable land, showing the owner's name and postal address, the land's description, valuation and the rates and charges levied, including any overdue amounts and interest (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 a buyer checks the rates position before settlement. Somerset's form offers a financial rating information search (rates, arrears, valuation and land area), a full property search (rates, building records, engineering, planning and health information), urgent versions of both, health site inspections and records, limited, standard and full planning certificates, and Form 19 information. Council's building page says the state Form 19, used to seek development information about a property, is lodged using this application. Planning and development certificates are issued under section 265 of the Planning Act 2016: a limited certificate within 5 business days, a standard within 10 and a full within 30, with the content set by schedule 23 of the Planning Regulation 2017.

When you need it

• You are buying in the Somerset region and need the rates position, or a full property search covering building, engineering, planning and health information.
• You need a search back in 2 to 3 working days (urgent).
• You need a health site inspection of licensed premises, or a planning and development certificate.
• You are a certifier or applicant seeking Form 19 building information about a property.

1. 1

   Applicant details

   Give the date, your reference, name, address, phone and email. The completed search is emailed to that address.

2. 2

   Prospective purchaser

   Give the purchaser's full names and current email and postal address. Council says this is a compulsory condition of lodging.

3. 3

   Land

   Enter the lot and plan. If other parcels are valued together, list them for rates data; planning, engineering, building and health information is given for the nominated parcel only. Add the improvements, settlement date and vendor's name.

4. 4

   Entry permission

   For health site and pool safety inspections, attach the owner's written permission and phone number.

5. 5

   Searches

   Tick each search. GST does not apply to any charge on this form.

• In person: council customer service centres at Esk, Kilcoy or Lowood.
• Email: mail@somerset.qld.gov.au. Post: PO Box 117, Esk QLD 4312.
• Payment: the form says an application is only complete when the fee is paid. Call council on (07) 5424 4000 to arrange payment.
• Times on the form: financial rating search up to 7 working days (urgent 2 to 3), full property search 7 to 10 (urgent 2 to 3), limited certificate 5, standard 10, full 30.
• Applications received after 11am are processed the next working day. Council closes from 24 December 2026 to 4 January 2027.

• Get the details right. Part of the fee is retained if the application is made incorrectly.
• Council says it will not give verbal information, so choose a search with a timeframe that suits your settlement.