HM Land Registry registers the ownership of property. It is one of the biggest property databases in Europe. When the UK had a property boom in 2007, an average worth of £1 million was inputted into the Land Registry database every minute .
The Land Registry, like similar registers in other countries, has a guarantee of title to registered estates and interests in land. It records the ownership rights of freehold properties, and also leasehold properties where the lease is granted for a term exceeding seven years.
The accepted definition of land can include the buildings situated upon the land, particularly where parts of buildings at different levels (such as multi-storey flats) are in different ownership. It is also possible to register the ownership of the mines and minerals which lie within the land, and air-space above the property where this is in separate ownership.
Up to April 2020, HM Land Registry received no government funding, as its income was expected to cover its expenditure using registration and search fees. Property owners whose property is not registered can apply on a voluntary basis for registration. As of March 2016, when the last count was done, they had 24.5 millions registered titles, covering 88% of the land mass of England and Wales.
If a property is registered under the Land Registration Act 2002, this will afford property owners some protection against squatters as well as avoiding the need to produce old documents each time a property changes hands. There are several benefits to land registration - registration establishes proof of ownership and produces an easy-to-read document reflecting the contents of all paper title deeds. This makes it easier for transactions when buying or selling, and makes the whole process much more cost effective. Registering a property is the safest way to secure ownership of land and property, as it is state-backed registration and you get greater security of title. They are providing you with better protection from adverse claims for possession.
This website is owned by and forms a part of the business conducted by Value Conveyancer Ltd, company registration number 09221971. We are partnered with LPL (a trading name of Read Roper & Read Solicitors) who have been awarded the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation. More information can be found here.