Any way of finding out what land someone owns?

Foxy-Stoat_3

I know you can find out who owns a piece of land by making an inquiry with the Land Registery, but what about the other way around, can the Land Registery run a local search on land someone (now deceased) owns?

AdrianC

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

I know you can find out who owns a piece of land by making an inquiry with the Land Registery, but what about the other way around, can the Land Registery run a local search on land someone (now deceased) owns?

Against the whole of the country? "What did Uncle X own nationally?"
I'd doubt it.

B'sides, even if they could, it wouldn't be a guarantee that it caught everything, since there's still swathes unregistered.

Foxy-Stoat_3

No, just a very local area.

somethingcorporate

Unless it is yourself it may be covered by data protection.

Foxy-Stoat_3

I am an executor of my friends estate and 10 years ago he took me to a field which he said he just bought......I can't for the life of me remember how to get there but I know the general area...tried driving around and looking on Earth and Streetmaps but no joy.

A lot can happen in 10 years I know but I doubt he would of sold it.

Mr_Moo_2

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

A lot can happen in 10 years I know but I doubt he would of sold it.

Unless you've got some paperwork, you might have a problem proving he ever bought it in the first place?

lincroft1710

As Mr Moo has said, without paperwork you have no proof of ownership. No harm in asking the LR as you are the executor of the estate.

AdrianC

lincroft1710 wrote: »

As Mr Moo has said, without paperwork you have no proof of ownership.

If it was bought 10yrs ago, it'll be LR registered - all the "proof of ownership" required for the executor to get moving, surely.

Land_Registry

There is a search process for names only and it is done using form PN1. However, and as you already appreciate due to data protection implications, it is not a general search facility in the same way as searching land or property.

The data we hold with regards land/property ownership in England & Wales also populates an Index of Proprietors Names (IOPN). The data also links to the Land Charges records which register interests in unregistered land as well.

In simple terms a PN1 can be used to search against your own name; the name of a deceased individual IF you have the authority to do so e.g. you are the executor as shown in the Probate; the name of a company. Certain authorities (police, customs, etc) have powers to also make searches but this is rigorously controlled.

So, if you are the executor then you can complete form PN1 and send it, with the necessary supporting evidence and a fee payable to Land Registry, to the address on the form. The fee is £11 per name searched.

The search result will reveal any registered title(s) or unregistered interests in the name as searched, so use their full name. If it is a common name then you may have several 'hits' but each come with an indication of area/locality.

IF the result reveals a registered title then you can search against this using our online or postal services to view the register/title plan as you wish. (£3 per register or £3 per title plan).

Please do note though that it is a name search only - if you know where the land is then this should help limit the final search aspect.