A Land Registry search allows individuals to obtain official records of land and property ownership in the UK. Whether you’re buying a home, verifying ownership, or checking property boundaries, accessing the UK Land Registry provides essential legal and historical details about a property.
Here’s everything you need to know about conducting a Land Registry search in the UK.
1. What Is the Land Registry?
The HM Land Registry is a government agency that records ownership of land and property in England and Wales. It provides official documents that confirm legal ownership, property boundaries, and past sale prices.
For properties in Scotland, the equivalent organization is Registers of Scotland, while Land and Property Services (LPS) handles records in Northern Ireland.
2. Why Conduct a Land Registry Search?
A Land Registry search is useful for:
- Verifying property ownership before buying a home.
- Checking property boundaries to avoid disputes.
- Finding out past sale prices for valuation purposes.
- Confirming mortgage or financial charges on a property.
- Identifying landowners for potential development projects.
3. Types of Land Registry Searches
The UK Land Registry provides different types of searches depending on the information you need:
A. Title Register (£3 fee)
- Confirms current owner(s) of the property.
- Lists mortgages or financial charges attached to the property.
- Includes property sale history and any restrictions on the land.
B. Title Plan (£3 fee)
- Shows property boundaries on an official map.
- Helps resolve boundary disputes with neighbors.
- Indicates shared ownership areas (e.g., communal spaces in flats).
C. Flood Risk Report (£9 fee)
- Identifies whether a property is at risk of flooding from rivers, seas, or groundwater.
D. Historical Ownership and Transactions (£7 fee per document)
- Provides details on previous owners and property transactions.
- Useful for researching long-term property value trends.
4. How to Perform a Land Registry Search
You can conduct a Land Registry search online via the UK Government website or request records by post.
Online Search (Fastest Method)
- Go to the HM Land Registry website (www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry).
- Enter the property’s address or title number.
- Select the document(s) you need (Title Register, Title Plan, etc.).
- Pay the small fee (usually £3 per document).
- Download the official documents instantly.
Postal Request (For Paper Records)
If you prefer a paper copy, you can submit a form OC1 (for Title Register) or OC2 (for historical documents) by post, but this method takes longer.
5. Can You Check Land Registry for Free?
You can search the Land Registry for free to see basic property details, such as whether a property is registered. However, to view ownership details, boundaries, or historical transactions, you must purchase official documents.
6. What If a Property Isn’t Registered?
Most properties in England and Wales are registered, but some older properties may not be. If a property is unregistered, you may need to check deeds held by the property owner, lender, or solicitor.
7. Final Thoughts
A Land Registry search is a valuable tool for anyone involved in buying, selling, or researching property in the UK. By using the HM Land Registry online search, you can quickly obtain ownership records, boundary maps, and transaction history to make informed property decisions. If you’re purchasing a home, conducting a Title Register and Title Plan search can help avoid disputes and verify legal ownership before completing a transaction.
