How to find out who owns house

anmm

Hello, wondering if anyone knows how to find out who may actually own my grandparents property?

I have download documents from the land registry but it only shows who owns the land it was built on.

Also is it possible to find out if its a leasehold or freehold?

thanks

tyllwyd

I'm a bit confused - usually the owners of a house will own the land it stands on. Is there something unusual about your grandparents property? Is it a house, or is it a flat, or some other kind of property?

Gloomendoom

anmm wrote: »

Hello, wondering if anyone knows how to find out who may actually own my grandparents property?

Ask them?...............................

marisco_2

If your grandparents are still alive then ask them. If not the deeds to the property would tell you who owns it.

Land_Registry

I presume from what you've said that you have downloaded a copy of the register? If that's right you'll be able to see whether it's a freehold or leasehold title. See the top right hand corner of page 2 of the example register here: http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/20491/example-register.pdf

You might also find this information helpful: http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/public/faqs/what-is-a-register

anmm

the whole situation is a bit strange, my grandparents believe they own the property, and have left it in the will to the grandchildren, however the land registry says its owned by my cousin. (the land was purchased then later built upon).

There is a bit of rift between 2 sides of the family that was caused by a divorce some 30 odd years ago,

tyllwyd

So would it be true to say that your cousin bought some land, your gps built a house on it but without any legal documents setting out the ownership of the house/land, and they have been living there as if they owned the property for a number of years?

I think they need advice from a solicitor - it isn't a straightforward situation.

Seanymph

Generally speaking the person who owns the land owns any buildings on it.

kingfisherblue

Seanymph wrote: »

Generally speaking the person who owns the land owns any buildings on it.

Not in the case of leasehold property. I live on a small estate and pay £9 ground rent a year to the owners of the land, as do all of the other people who live on the estate. The vast majority own their homes, although there is one private rental. Many of my neighbours bought their houses in the early sixties, including my dad, and although they have tried to buy the freehold, they have been unsuccessful. I believe that the estate next to ours is the same.

Leaseman_2

I can't add anyting to the Land Registry advice on the original question but...

Kingfisherblue, unless there are exceptional circumstances you are probably entitled to buy the freehold of your house under the provisions of The leasehold Reform Act 1967.

Check here: http://www.lease-advice.org/wizard/?step=7

I've given you a head start on navigating the excellent Leasehold Advisory Service site.

When you have had a read through, if you want to buy the freehold step one is to consult a solicitor familiar with enfranchisement law and step two obtain specialist valuation advice.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Land_Registry

Tyllwyd's suggestion seems the most likely scenario here - the title plan would have been created at the time that the land/property was first registered. Thereafter buildings can go up and come down or be altered BUT the title plan would not be updated as a result. The title plan is intended to define the general boundaries of the title only and not what is within that boundary.

If the title plan you have is for the land on which the house is built then the house is likely to belong to that title unless some other legal document exists to suggest otherwise - I assume no such document is registered though and as such tyllwyd's advice is spot on, check any paperwork that your grandparent's left and seek legal advice.