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How to Find Out Owner(s), Mortgage Ties etc. of Pubs
Background
The Land Registry Act 2002 took effect from 13th October 2003. This means that the Land Registry’s records are now ‘open to all’. In the past only a solicitor or someone with an interest in a property was allowed to search the Property Register but now for a small fee anyone can ! The Land Registry holds records for all properties where there has been a sale/purchase in the past 20 or so years since i.e. it was set up. Ownership of properties with no change of ownership in the past 20 + years can only be established from the title deeds.
How to Carry Out a Search
There are three ways:-
a) Online
b) By Post
c) Personal visit to the local land Registry Office
Clearly, online is the easiest (and cheapest) option.
a) Online Search
i) Go to www.landregisteronline.gov.uk
ii) Click on Property Enquiry
iii) Enter an accurate address and search
iv) If a Registered Number to match the address is found it will advise you that a copy of the register is available as a PDF file for a fee of £2.00 - press continue
v) A “Terms and Conditions of Access” will appear – press Accept
vi) Pay £2.00 by credit card.
Then the information is sent as a PDF file
They do not guarantee the system will be available all the time and it may only take an article in the media that generates a greater use of the system for problems to occur. Sadly most Mac users are not be able to use the facility at present as the Land Register state this is still a pilot at present.
b) Postal Search
You will need Form 109 (copy attached – copies obtainable from www.landreg.gov.uk - cost is £4.00 payable by a cheque.
c) Personal Visit
You first need to identify which one of the 24 Land Registry Offices deal with that property – again this can be established by an enquiry on the website. Offices are open from 9am to 5pm.
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