history of house sales/who owned the house etc

Binkie_Huckaback

Hi all,

I'm looking to do a bit of research into the history of a house or property, - who owned the land/house and when the property was sold/bought etc, (maybe a bit like that BBC programme A House Through Time). Anyway I was wondering if anybody on here might know of any sites which might be able to provide that kind of info. Am I right in thinking the Land Registry would only give details of the current landowner or occupant(s)? I'd be looking to go back to at least the 1980s.

All I have been able to find out so far is the history of house sales going back about as far as the 2010s, which are listed on zoopla or rightmove.

Any ideas as to how to go about this? Apologies if this is posted on the wrong board, not sure where else to ask!

AdrianC

The Land Registry will give details of price paid and transaction date for most sales since the mid 90s, but not ownership details.
Before that, you'd have to refer back to the old paper deeds, if they still exist, or local authority archives or other resources.

Your best bet would be to talk to a local history society. FB would be a good place to find them.

Land_Registry

House price info only available from mid 90s if sold of course
Details of previous ownership can be available back to when first registered with us. But only current owner available online 
Some papers may exist which offer insight into historical ownership but old deeds are returned once registered. Some registered titles will have a list of deeds submitted at that time referring to dates/names so can help

https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-property-and-land

As mentioned if it’s local history you are after social media groups are great for this in my experience 
And our blog may offer some other lines of enquiry for you  https://hmlandregistry.blog.gov.uk/2018/01/26/how-old-is-my-house/

Binkie_Huckaback

Thanks for your replies, and thanks for the links. I'm not on Facebook, but will have a look around. I wondered, too, if local newspaper archives might hold any information, for example if the house was listed for sale in their paper at the time (a lot of them used to have 'properties for sale' sections) but that might be a bit of a long shot!

Madmel

The census returns are done by address.  If your house is over 100 years old, you should be able to search by address to find out who was living there.  I don't think they are made public until 100 years have passed and they are only created every 10 years.  Alternatively, we used Kelly's directories when doing genealogical research and if your property is old enough, you might be lucky.  I agree with previous posters about local history groups being a good place to start.

Binkie_Huckaback

I look forward to the 1921 census becoming available next year (FMP are typing it up this year) but I was also looking for information more recent than that, I mean from about the 1980s onwards. I haven't heard of Kellys, will look them up, thanks.

jimbog

Do a search of all British newspapers since the year dot of your address here:
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search/british-newspapers
you can find some surprising details of your house e.g. deaths, weddings, for sale, court cases
If you decide to register on the website you an also access the 1939 register : 
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-records/1939-register
I think the Kelly's directory stopped in the late '80's