The Land Registry and title deeds
You can apply to the Land Registry for a copy of the registration records of the house you are researching. These will exist only if the house has been sold or transferred since compulsory registration was introduced: 1899 in London, 1979 in Scotland, 1990 in England and Wales, 2003 in Northern Ireland. If the house is registered, you will receive details of sales, boundary plans, owners, mortgages and other historical information. For more information go to - Land Registry for England & Wales Land Registry for Scotland, Land Registry for Ireland
About Title Deeds
The title deeds can help you trace the owners and occupiers of your house. If the title deeds are not in your possesion,they may be with your solicitor or mortgage company. However, be aware that not all older deeds can be found. The Law of Property Act 1925 limited the need for evidence of title to 30 years. Nevertheless older deeds may be found in a record office/ archives where they have been deposited by a solicitor or a collection from a family's estate papers.
How to find your House at the Land Registry
To obtain property details follow the links to the Land Registry below and just enter the postcode and house number/name and click 'Search'. If you know the full address you can submit a detailed enquiry, if you don't you can submit a map enquiry.
If you find your property you can download:-
A title register where you can find out ownership details who owns the property, price paid/value stated, if sold since April 2000 and any rights of way or restrictions on the land noted on the register for only £3 or a
Title plan- defining the property for only £3
These search results reveal registered titles to land [registered estates] that match the search criteria you enter. For example, a search by a specific postal address and/or title number will reveal freehold and leasehold properties that match that address. To identify all registered estates that may affect land, such as titles of tunnels, pipelines, etc. (if any) you should complete a search of the index map.
If you find your property you can download:-
A title register where you can find out ownership details who owns the property, price paid/value stated, if sold since April 2000 and any rights of way or restrictions on the land noted on the register for only £3 or a
Title plan- defining the property for only £3
These search results reveal registered titles to land [registered estates] that match the search criteria you enter. For example, a search by a specific postal address and/or title number will reveal freehold and leasehold properties that match that address. To identify all registered estates that may affect land, such as titles of tunnels, pipelines, etc. (if any) you should complete a search of the index map.
If the property in question was once part of a landed estate, it is possible that some title deeds can still be found among any papers relating to that estate. Many collections of deeds, family and estate papers have been deposited in county record offices. Libraries and other repositories.
Look at our list for contact details for record offices.
The system of compulsory land registration in England and Wales developed gradually during the nineteenth and twentieth century’s. In some counties, registration did not become compulsory until the 1950s. The land register can be consulted by members of the public: for information about access see the Land Registry
Look at our list for contact details for record offices.
The system of compulsory land registration in England and Wales developed gradually during the nineteenth and twentieth century’s. In some counties, registration did not become compulsory until the 1950s. The land register can be consulted by members of the public: for information about access see the Land Registry
You may also want to consider carrying out a local history search to find out more about the area and the property's past. This could involve visiting local archives or historical societies, as well as speaking to local residents who may have knowledge of the property's history.
Finally, it's worth noting that some properties may have a more complex history, particularly if they have been split into multiple units or have undergone significant renovations or extensions over the years. In these cases, it may be necessary to consult additional records or seek the advice of a property historian or solicitor to piece together the property's full history. Land Registry Scotland![]() The Land Register of Scotland became operational between 1981 (Renfrewshire) and 2003 (Sutherland). Properties that have not been sold since the operational date of the particular county may not be registered in the Land Register. For the list of the operational dates click here If the property that you are searching for is not registered in the Land Register you will need to order a Sasine Register Search to find out ownership details of that property. The Register of Sasines or the Sasine register peculiar to Scotland is a historical register of deeds affecting land and property. These provide a historical account of ownership. Most property has it’s own Sasine search sheet. This includes a description of the property and an account of all the transactions that have taken place on the property. It is therefore possible to see all of a property’s previous owners, what they paid, whether there were any charges, etc right back to the early 20th century. |
Land Registry - IrelandGo to Ireland has two systems for recording property transactions:
Go to The Property Registration Authority |
The HouseLand Registry
Maps Manorial Records Other Records Postcards & Photos Enclosures Books & House histories Church & Parish Records |
The People |
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