? cheaper way to access land registry

Katykat

Son has a disagreement with his neighbour. She claims she has access to her garden through an access provided for sons house. She says she cant access the back of her garden because she has built an extension on the side of her house. She has now damaged his plants and refuses to replace them. He has been advised to contact the Land Registry, but they charge £50. Is there any other way he could find out if she has this right of access?

ic

PDF copies of the documents are available for £4 each via the website: http://www.landregistry.gov.uk - use the "find a property" link at the top of the screen.

Was he asking for paper copies to be delivered?

paddy's_mum

Where did you find that figure of £50 as I've never heard of Land Registry being that expensive?

It might be worth your while to find out which office deals with properties in your son's area and phone them direct for help and guidance. I've always found them sympathetic and helpful.

It might also be a very prudent thing for him to check his house insurance, very carefully, to see whether he has access to the Insurer's legal helpline. Often, they'll help early on rather than later have to fund the costs of an outright neighbour war. Good luck.

Mojisola

Put the onus on her to prove it. Tell her that she must provide the documents to show she has a right of way or he will prevent her from using the access.

ic

Why involve insurance, solicitors or demand proof when the docs are available for just £4?

Katykat

Thanks folks. Insurance co no good, it was them who told him Land registry was £50. I've had a quick look at the download site at Land registry, it doesn't make it clear wether access rights are included in the downloads.

Tucker

The land reg document for £4 will only confirm who owns your sons plot.

It won't solve this particular problem. It won't clarify rights of way or help with the boundary of the plot. I suspect he'll need to inspect his deeds.

As stated, shut the woman out and deny her access unless she provides the evidence to show she has access rights. He doesn't need to disprove it, she should back up her claim or stay off his land.

ic

When I downloaded my documents from the land registry, they included both the official plot map and details of interest in the property (i.e. the mortgage company), plus a scan of all pages of the original 100 year old deeds that included a hand drawn plan of my property and where the access lies. The same applied for my neighbour's houses when I downloaded theirs too. However what they hold for each property may differ.

Alternative is to get hold of the actual deeds - as you don't have them they're likely held by your mortgage company or the solicitors which handled the purchase of you house. They may charge a fee in order to access these documents.

TonyMMM

He needs to download his deeds, and a copy of hers ....the details of the ROW (Right of Way) which may exist could be on either or both of them. He needs to manage this situation carefully, otherwise he could end with a dispute that wil be a) expensive to sort out and b) make his property unsaleable until it is.

If there is a ROW (on either set of deeds) that affect his land and he wasn't made aware of it when he bought the property - he can then take it up with the solicitor who advised him at the time.

Katykat

Thanks again. I dont think there will be a dispute as at this stage, only plants have been damaged and we dont want to get into anything heavy over a few plants. However, he is concerned that because there are other houses whose back gardens have the same position that it may becaome common for them to also claim they have access. I will pass on all your useful advice, Thanks

SmlSave

Hi Katy

If there are no 'T' marks clearly showing the boundaries on the Title Docs from the Land Reg or rights of access (£4 for Title and £4 for plan), is there any mention of a Transfer or Conveyance on the Deeds? These are also available from the Land Reg (£8-£12 normally) and may have more information, including plans.

The solicitor he bought his house through may be willing to give some advice?