Odd situation with deeds

Andyuk101

Hi,

I find myself in a bit of an odd situation

In Sept last year i purchased a newbuild leasehold flat from a housing trust (lets call it flat 1)

I viewed flat 1 a couple of times and decided to buy, mortgage approved and completed with no issue and i've been in flat 1 since late Sept last year

I recently downloaded copies of the title deeds and plans from the land registry website and all the details are correct apart from the flat highlighted in red on the plans is the one opposite me, flat 2

There are only 2 flats on this level so its very obviously wrong

My copy of the lease documents references a title plan on the land registry website and the numbers match up - the document reference HDxxxxxx matches the number in my lease

Prior to completing the mortgage i did receive a copy of the plans and i'm sure it showed the correct flat in red but returned this to the solicitors who are now trying to track this down

There are a couple of other oddities

When i first moved in the intercom system wasn't working, the engineer who fixed this said the apartment were wired up incorrectly (someone pressing flat 1, bell rang in flat 2)

My gas and electric meter are on the 'wrong' side - Ie closer to flat 2 that flat 1 and vice versa for flat 2

I've spoken to my conveyancer who seemed a little stumped as to what to do about this and i'm not sure if this a a serious issue or something that can be fixed relatively easily

Any advice appreciated

kingstreet

Are the original plot numbers mixed up?

It's possible Plot 1 became Flat 2 and vicky verky, although this happens more with houses than it does flats.

I live at no.12, but my house's plot number was plot 32.

Land_Registry

As far as the registration goes it should be a simple case of double-checking with Land Registry - drop us a line using the online enquiry form giving details of your title number/property and simply explain what the issue appears to be.

If things have been registered correctly based on the documents lodged at the time BUT you think this is wrong then some form of application for a rectification would be required. At that point I would recommend speaking to the conveyancer who acted for you again.

As far as the other issues around the meter and doorbell etc are concerned these, as I am sure you appreciate, would not be something we could assist on

Andyuk101

Hi,

Thanks for the prompt response

Kingstreet,

I'm not 100% sure what you mean when you say 'plot'

As far as i am concerned flat 1 has always been the one to the right, the land registry think its the 1 to the left

Both are identical in terms of size, albeit reversed layout

Gas, electric not my major worry - its more around the mortgage side of things

Thanks

kingstreet

In the course of construction, builders allocate plot numbers. It is not until they are finished and the roads adopted that they are given a formal, postal address.

It's possible the plot number and flat number have been inverted.

Land_Registry

kingstreet is quite correct re plot numbers and how they can be an issue.

However the actual registration of the Flat should rely on the documents lodged with the application i.e. the lease itself which should refer to the correct Flat as well as the demise as shown on the lease plan itself.

With large developments the developer will oftne have a pre-registration plan approved for the actual development and this will often be used to crosscheck applications as they are applied for.

Mistakes can of course happen and it is important to confirm that the title as registered matches the reality on the ground. If an error has occurred then how that error was made and who by will impact on the route to take to resolve it.

If left and right are the wrong way round then the other flat (presumably also registered) is in the same position registration-wise so that needs to be checked and confirmed also.

If you have not already contacted us then use the online form and the matter will be responded to within 5 working days. The reply should be much quicker but may depend on when the property was first registered and what records are held electronically.

ValHaller

Andyuk101 wrote: »

Prior to completing the mortgage i did receive a copy of the plans and i'm sure it showed the correct flat in red but returned this to the solicitors who are now trying to track this down

Dis you use a solicitor recommended by the seller? Because if you did and the people owning the other flat used the same solicitor, the problem will most likely be in your solicitor's office.

Andyuk101

ValHaller wrote: »

Dis you use a solicitor recommended by the seller? Because if you did and the people owning the other flat used the same solicitor, the problem will most likely be in your solicitor's office.

It was their recommended solicitor - not sure if my neighbours used the same but highly likely

Andyuk101

Land_Registry_representative wrote: »

kingstreet is quite correct re plot numbers and how they can be an issue.

However the actual registration of the Flat should rely on the documents lodged with the application i.e. the lease itself which should refer to the correct Flat as well as the demise as shown on the lease plan itself.

With large developments the developer will oftne have a pre-registration plan approved for the actual development and this will often be used to crosscheck applications as they are applied for.

Mistakes can of course happen and it is important to confirm that the title as registered matches the reality on the ground. If an error has occurred then how that error was made and who by will impact on the route to take to resolve it.

If left and right are the wrong way round then the other flat (presumably also registered) is in the same position registration-wise so that needs to be checked and confirmed also.

If you have not already contacted us then use the online form and the matter will be responded to within 5 working days. The reply should be much quicker but may depend on when the property was first registered and what records are held electronically.

Thankyou for your response

Ill leave this to the solicitor to resolve as it looks like this is a relatively simple admin fix rather than the major, mortgage at risk issue i feared

ValHaller

Andyuk101 wrote: »

It was their recommended solicitor - not sure if my neighbours used the same but highly likely

Land Registry have given you a way forwards with this. I would be looking at the title for the other flat to see if that is correct or if it is actually pointing to your flat. It is just as important that there is not another title on your flat as to have your title point to your flat.

Andyuk101

ValHaller wrote: »

Land Registry have given you a way forwards with this. I would be looking at the title for the other flat to see if that is correct or if it is actually pointing to your flat. It is just as important that there is not another title on your flat as to have your title point to your flat.

I've just had a look at the title plan and register for flat 2 and it doesn't look like anything has been updated recently

The address is recognised by the land registry website but the title plan just shows the outline of the development, not the specific plots