How to Read and Interpret a Land Registry Title Deed

How to Read a Land Registry Title Deed

The term "title deed" is often used loosely to mean any official Land Registry document. In practice, what most people need is the title register — the official record of ownership. Here's how to read and interpret it.

The Three Sections

Every title register follows the same structure:

**Section A (Property Register)** describes the land. Look here for the address, the estate type (freehold or leasehold), and any rights that benefit the property such as rights of way.

**Section B (Proprietorship Register)** names the owner(s). Check here for the registered proprietor, the class of title, and any restrictions on dealing with the property.

**Section C (Charges Register)** lists burdens on the property. This is where you'll find mortgages, restrictive covenants, and third-party rights over the land.

Key Things to Look For

**Class of title**: "Absolute" is the strongest. "Possessory" or "qualified" titles may indicate gaps in the ownership history.

**Restrictions**: Entries like "no disposition by a sole proprietor" mean two people must sign any transfer. This is common with joint ownership.

**Referred-to documents**: The register often says "the land is subject to the covenants contained in a transfer dated..." You may need to obtain the filed copy of that document to see the full terms.

**Price paid**: If the property was sold after April 2000, the price will usually appear in Section B.

**Date entries**: Each entry has a date showing when it was added to the register.

What the Register Doesn't Tell You

The exact legal boundary (the title plan shows general boundaries only)

Planning permissions or building regulations

Council tax band or EPC rating

Physical condition of the property

Getting a Title Deed

Search for your property and purchase the title register from Online Land Registry. Documents are delivered instantly as PDF.