Any property owner can get in touch with HM Land Registry and ask for a copy of the title deeds for their property. But once they arrive in the post, do you know how to interpret them?
Each property is allocated a unique reference number by the Land Registry, which is also referred to as the title number. There is also usually a plan, or a map of the land under discussion. The Land Register shows the basic legal information about any piece of land or property: the name and address of the individual or company which owns it, whether a bank has funded a mortgage on the property, whether there are rights of way over the land, and so on.
The register will also have a short description of the property, and sometimes all that the description contains is the address. The register will also state whether the property is freehold, or leasehold.
Accessing Register Information
Most properties in England and Wales are registered with the Land Registry, so the first step is confirming through the website that the property you are interested in is registered and you can do this online. Once you have the number, you can download a copy to your device, or fill in form OC1, which costs £7.
Parts of the Register
When you get your information, you will see that the information is split into three separate parts. These are:
Property
The first part of the register describes the property and says whether it is freehold or leasehold. There will be a map showing the boundaries and location, and the register will usually state what forms the boundaries, as well as showing any rights of way on the land.
Ownership
Also called proprietorship, this section of the register gives the names of the people or company registered as owners, and the addresses held on file. Often, the register will also state the amount that was paid the last time the property changed hands. The ownership section will also mention any other parties who have a legal right over the property, such as a mortgage company who has lent the money to buy it. This has to be recorded to ensure that only the people who are legally allowed to do so can agree to sell or transfer a property.
Charges
The final part of the register is about any charges on the property. This is not present in every listing. Charges will also mention whether there is a mortgage on the property and will name the financial institution, but nor the amount of money involved. There may also be restrictions listed such as allowing others access by rights of way, or any parts of the property which are tenanted.
Land Registry documents can be difficult to understand, and are full of legal jargon. If there is anything you don’t understand, then get legal advice from someone experienced in conveyancing or property law. There is also lots of information on the Land Registry website.