UK Land Registry

The UK land Registry is a Government department which administers one of the largest property databases in Europe, This database is used to record and register the ownership of land and property in England and Wales.
It is used by the UK government to assess property values for tax purposes. In a similar manner, it is also used to search current property prices by investors, buyers and vendors. The online search mechanism and price calculator service can be used to check the latest residential property prices for any given location using the postcode or street name as the search source.
The results from an online search of the database will yield certain information. This will usually shows it’s precise location on an ordnance survey map, a satellite view can be obtained using Google earth.  Street views can also be obtained using Google maps. The outline of the property will be shown as a dotted layout on the map.

The database also provides information on the ownership of land. Who they are, and details the land usage. It also records the ownership rights of freehold and leasehold properties. The latter only where the lease has been granted for a term exceeding seven years.

For houses it will provide details of the plot plus all relevant information on ownership status, and securities held against the property.

In cases where multiple ownership issues occur. Say for example a building exists, which contains eight flats. The database will provide eight sets of title deeds. These will list the different levels ownership on each unit. Eg leased or mortgaged. Securities held on each individual unit within the main building. Unit size as an example one or two bedroom flats. Etc.
For some of this information a fee will need to be paid.

Registration.

Land registered on the database using the latest figures taken from the Land Registry website show that 88% of land in England and Wales has been registered, with a view to obtaining full coverage by 2030. This currently represents 24.500.000 titles

By definition, the term land will also include any buildings situated upon it.

Assets which lay either in or above the land can also be registered. In the ground things such as mines and even minerals can be registered. In certain situations, the area of sky above the land can be registered.

Land and property owners whose title is not registered can make voluntary applications for registration to the database.

Benefits of registration

Registration establishes proof of ownership and produces an easily accessible document which can be viewed quickly and securely online.

Provides a better way to safeguard ownership of land and property. State-backed registration gives greater security of title, and offers better protection against claims of adverse possession.
The following provide the equivalent service.

For Scotland it is the Registers of Scotland.

For Northern Ireland the Land and Property Services maintains land records.

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