Can you prove ownership of that property or plot of land you bought many years ago? Doing so could be impossible if the title deeds are lost or destroyed – which is why you need our help

If you bought a property or piece of land in Sheffield before October 1st 1970 your title to it will not appear on the Land Registry. This means you must be able to produce title deeds to prove your ownership. This could prove impossible if the documents have been lost or destroyed.

REGISTERING LAND & PROPERTY

At Rosalind Watchorn Solicitors we can ensure your ownership is correctly recorded with the Land Registry. The Land Registry holds details of property and land transactions in England and Wales. Once registered, your property or land will be allocated a title number, and from then onwards a data base will hold details of your legal title, a ground plan, and relevant documents – copies of which can easily be obtained for a modest fee – making proof of ownership a simple task.

Nowadays, most transactions involving property and land trigger compulsory registration, so it is extremely difficult for anyone to claim squatter’s rights. This is because in the event of any claim, the Land Registry would notify the registered owner. Officially recording your title to a property is an effective way of preventing it being sold or re-mortgaged by fraudsters – perhaps after you go into hospital or need long-term care. Should you experience loss as a result of such a fraud, the Land Registry may offer compensation.

If your property/land is unregistered, and you wish to have it placed on the Land Registry’s data base, please contact one of our experienced conveyancing solicitors, who will explain the process and give you an idea of costs involved. Once the title deed and any other documents have been verified registration can go ahead.