Real Estate Law Overview

A registered title refers to property registered with the Land Registry, providing a secure record of ownership.

The process of examining a title for any burdens or limitations impacting ownership.

The buyer's solicitor ensures the title number in the contract matches the registered title.

Any legal or financial burdens affecting the property, such as mortgages or easements.

Unregistered title refers to property not yet registered with the Land Registry, relying on older, less secure methods.

The solicitor determines if a property should have been registered based on transactions after 1990.

A detailed summary of the property's history and ownership, crucial for unregistered titles.

The solicitor checks the epitome to confirm ownership history extending back at least 15 years.

The buyer's solicitor conducts a thorough search to uncover any local charges or burdens on the property.

This search focuses on local financial charges or registrations that may impact the property's ownership.

Investigating the source of water, how it's metered, and if there's access to a public sewer.

Checking for any restrictions on using or developing common land.

Looking for any past or present contamination that could affect the property. This helps figure out who's responsible for cleaning it up.

The solicitor verifies if the property is registered with the Land Registry, either fully or partially.

If a company is selling the property, the solicitor researches if there's any chance of the company going out of business.

If a buyer is getting a mortgage, the solicitor looks to see if the buyer is involved in any bankruptcy proceedings.

The solicitor goes to the property to check for any shared rights of way, other people living there, and its overall condition.

For commercial properties, a questionnaire is sent asking about boundaries, conditions, fire safety, and planning regulations.

Local authorities enforce rules to control how land is developed, preventing chaos.

This law states that anyone building or changing a building needs permission from the local council.

A document that provides information about a property, including fees, charges, planning agreements, and other details.

If a local authority has paid improvement fees for a homeowner, these fees may not always show on the Charges Register if the amount is relatively small.

When charges exist, the buyer's solicitor should inquire about and ensure the repayment and removal of those charges from the land register.

Details of any planning agreements affecting the property, such as extensions or development plans.

The instrument indicates whether any Tree Preservation Orders affect the property.

A local register reveals whether the property has any listed buildings classified as buildings of historical significance.

Listed buildings cannot be demolished, extended, or altered without specific consent from the local authority.

Indicates whether the road fronting the property is owned and maintained by the local authority.

The document displays any public rights of way over the property.

This section reveals any planning entries or building regulations affecting the property.