Getting a Copy of Deeds

theFlash

We are looking at buying a house, but it has some complexities due to its age. We are at the point of employing solicitors to do the conveyancing, but after issues with other properties, we wanted to check the Land Registry Title deeds to see the outline of the land and if there were any rights of way etc.



The Land Registry however doesn't have a copy as it was last bought in the 70's . The sellers solicitor says he will only release it to another solicitor. But we want to know what land is included, and if there are any rights with respect to sewerage etc over neighbouring fields.


Is there any way we can get a copy? Otherwise we will have to pay the 300-400 at least for a solicitor to start the process, and ramp up the costs as they go.


Thanks in advance

davidmcn

A solicitor is unlikely to charge £300-400 merely for passing on a copy of the deeds.

theFlash

Yes, I suspect this is just so they can justify their charge to their client. Wonder if there's a way to request is a Joe public via some sort of public right.

Tom99

Say unless you get sight of the deeds that you want to see by next Tuesday, or whatever, your offer is withdrawn.
They can scan the deeds and send you pdf copies.

SmashedAvacado

The sellers solicitor says he will only release it to another solicitor.

It's not his call. he has to do what his client asks (providing his client pays).
Your request is not an unreasonable one.

davidmcn

theFlash wrote: »

Yes, I suspect this is just so they can justify their charge to their client. Wonder if there's a way to request is a Joe public via some sort of public right.

No, you don't have a right to see anybody's unregistered title deeds. But obviously they will at some point have to let you see them in order to proceed with the sale. Can't think of any particular reason why they would restrict it to other solicitors.I can understand them not wanting to lend the principal deeds to anybody else but they ought to be able to copy them. Have you asked them specifically to confirm the extent of the land, rights etc?

SmashedAvacado

the reality is though of course, that if the land is unregistered, and if you are not legally trained, you are unlikely to have a clue about how to interpret what is set out in a series of old documents and how such matters may or may not bind the land that you are interested in.

Browntoa

Charge to get feed from storage , charge for copying and checking , charge for sending letters , charge for returning to storage.

It was never going to be cheap

theFlash

I don't think its unreasonable to ask to see the extent of land and rights - this was my request.



Whilst I'm not a property lawyer, I do want to know what I am buying, after all.



In this case, the location of the septic tank is unknown and I wanted to see if there were rights to the neighbouring field, as well as the extent of the land.



Apart from saying I won't proceed, which is a risk (perhaps more to them that us, but the outcome is the same), the only other route seems to be part with £300-400 for a solicitor to ask.


I say £300-400 as it appears the conveyancing quotes charge that upfront before doing much, even if I say only ask that one question to start with.


I have to say this isn't a good start to the property purchase.

davidmcn

theFlash wrote: »

I say £300-400 as it appears the conveyancing quotes charge that upfront before doing much, even if I say only ask that one question to start with.

They may well want funds upfront for a standard transaction, but that's largely going to be to pay for searches etc - if literally all you want them to do is get a copy of the deeds then the final fee isn't going to be that much. Why not discuss with them to find out?

theFlash

Just getting quotes - will ask them if they are willing, once I select one. Most say they want £300 on account for searches as you say. I will check if that is the case in this instance.


The sellers solicitors seem to be indicating they will send a draft contract with it, perhaps in an effort to justify their stubborness and charges to their client.


Should you mention that the house is Grade II listed when getting a quote? They aren't asking me that question.