Title deeds prove ownership of a property, this also provides information on any historic agreements with the property which you would not be aware of without the title deeds. The deeds will detail any rights granted or reserved against your land, any restrictions on the land and also positive and negative covenants. Covenants are an agreement between parties and run with the land, so an agreement on the land over 200 years ago can still affect your land now and is legally binding.
The deeds confirm details of rights of way, covenants, any registered charges and also the legal registered owner (the registered proprietor). Your title deeds may be registered or unregistered.
Registered
If your property is registered, the title deeds will be registered with land registry. This will be the title register, there are often other documents which are a part of the title deeds. This could include a transfer, a conveyance or a deed. This all-forms part of your title deeds.
The land registry was first created in 1862. From 1925 it became compulsory for land to be registered, this was brought about by the Land Registration Act 1925. This means that any land that now triggers registration, such as a sale or transfer of equity, will need to be registered by law. This is compulsory.
Unregistered
If the property is unregistered, your title deeds will be contained within a bundle of documents and kept on paper. It is important that if your property is not registered that you keep your title deeds safe.
The title deeds will compromise deeds, possibly a conveyance, a transfer and any registered charges. The deeds will confirm rights of way, which are granted to others and also reserved for your use. This will include the running of services and access to neighbouring property if needed. If there is a registered charge contained within the bundle of documents, this should include a vacating receipt from the mortgage lender, which confirms that the legal charge has been repaid.
It is important with unregistered property that all documents are kept safe and together, so this does not cause issue when you come to sell your home.
