Title Deeds

Title deeds are the collection of legal documents that prove ownership of land or property and record any rights, obligations, or charges (such as mortgages) registered against it. In England and Wales, land registration at HM Land Registry has been compulsory on transfer since the 1990s, and most property is now registered. For registered properties, the title register (held by Land Registry) is the authoritative record of ownership.

The title register has three parts: - Property Register: describes the property and any rights it benefits from (e.g., access rights) - Proprietorship Register: names the registered owner and any restrictions on disposal - Charges Register: records mortgages and any other charges, rights, or covenants that burden the property

For properties not yet registered (pre-1990s purchases never subsequently transferred), the title may consist of an accumulation of older paper deeds - conveyances, transfers, and mortgages going back many decades. These can be complex to investigate.

Your solicitor's title investigation during conveyancing checks the title register for any issues: existing mortgages that should be discharged on sale, restrictive covenants that affect your intended use, easements (rights of way) that cross the property, and any pending applications or cautions.