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What is the article about?
In this blog article, we look at four ways you can use the Land Registry to identify who owns or leases a property or piece of land. This could form part of your due diligence into ownership, tenure, boundaries, lease information or transaction price.
This is an essential skill for all RICS APC and AssocRICS candidates and qualified AssocRICS surveyors and Chartered Surveyors across a variety of different instructions.
How can I access the Land Registry?
Head to https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk. Many firms will have a business account for you to use. If not, you will need to register as an individual user.
Tip 1 – MapSearch
MapSearch is free to use and provides a map of all registered titles in the UK.
The Land Registration Act 2002 provided a framework for electronic property conveyancing. All land or property must be registered for the first time if it is sold or mortgaged. Furthermore, all leases must be registered if they are over 7 years.
You can search by street name or postcode and then select the red lined and shaded property from the map (see Figure 1 below).
Properties or land that are not registered will remain unshaded and you will not be able to click on them. Ownership of unregistered land is usually evidenced via the physical title deeds (which are different to the registered title).
When you click on a specific title, details of the title number and address will come up. You can use these in Tips 2-4 below.
Figure 1 – MapSearch
Tip 2 – Register View
Once you have identified the title number you are interested in, your next step could be to view the title register (at a current cost of £3.00). See Figure 2 below for the search screen on the Land Registry.
We recommend using the PDF view as you can download this for future reference.
The title register will confirm the title number, ownership, price paid if available, rights of way and whether any mortgage has been discharged.
If a property has a freehold and a leasehold title(s) available, then you will need to ensure that you select the correct one.
Figure 2 – Register View
Tip 3 – Title Plan View
The next step you could take is to view the title plan, which will show the location and general boundaries of the property. The cost is again currently £3.00.
The exact boundaries and who owns a hedge, wall, tree or fence between neighbouring properties will generally not be shown on the title plan.
See Figure 3 below for the search screen on the Land Registry.
Figure 2 – Title Plan View
Tip 4 – Document View
Document view is a charged section of the Land Registry. See Figure 4 for the search screen, which you will need the title number for.
In document view, you can download various electronic deeds relating to the property, such as leases or charges.
If you are trying to confirm details of comparable leasing transactions, then getting hold of the lease in this manner can be an easy way to verify the details.
Figure 4 – Document View
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Stay tuned for our next blog post to help build a better you.
N.b. Nothing in this article constitutes legal, professional or financial advice.