Shared access road & land - how to find out details of ownership

G_M

You mention several times that you've looked at the Plan for the property, and the neighbouring one.

However I'm unclear if you have looked at the Title itself. This has wording on it, which will frequently refer to the Plan. For example you say next door's Plan has an extra bit edged in Green. You'd need to read the Title to see what that refers to eg land they don't own but over which they have a ROW? Land they own but over which someone else has a ROW?

Have you checked?

If you are concerned at this stage of your purchase over the additiona £3 cost, then my instinct is to say you should continue renting. You clearly don't have sufficient contingency funds for a purchase.

Mojisola is right that anything the neighbor says would have no standing in law, but it can provide very useful information. Especially where, as here, you are doing some detective work to find an owner.

In any case, I'd always speak to neighbours, who will often tell you far more than the seller who fears losing you as a buyer.....

For example, there may be a history of dispute over use of this access road, which perhaps the neighbour has resolved but your seller has not. Will the seller give you full details.....? Not saying this is the case - it's just an example.

Emmazom

I appreciate your concern but I have an extra £3 to spare, I just didn't want to keep downloading things until I actually knew what I was looking for. I'm a first time buyer so I haven't spent a lot of time looking at titles/deeds/plans etc, so it seemed pointless keep downloading items when unsure what I was looking for. Especially as there was no code on the plans to indicate what was what and the fact that several houses have access to this piece of land and anyone of them could have claim to it.

I studied law for 5 years, although my land law is very blurry so I'm aware anything the seller/neighbours might say will have no standing but it's still potentially helpful to point me in the right direction. I will be speaking to the neighbours tomorrow and dependant upon what they may say I will most likely download any relevant titles to confirm what they may or may not have said.

From what the seller said on the first viewing he doesn't have a need to use this access road so hasn't bothered to find out much about it. I appreciate the advice from everyone though so thank you

Land_Registry

Emmazom - sounds like you are heading in the right direction regarding the research needed.

The title plan does not have a code or key re any references added as it should be read alongside the register itself.

Happy to take a look at the general situation re the registered titles if you want to email us at customer.service@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk as that may help others understand the registered position at least and offer any additional thoughts?