How to find out who owns a scruffy bit of land?

Section62

Eliza_2 said:

Thank you - the house and others around are at least 200 yrs old, if not more though reading about the ransom strip was interesting.  I don't suppose  access to utilities was an idea conceived back then.  However maybe going back to the local authority might work and pressing them a bit.  I wish it was possible to have access to whatever sources they use as at the moment she just has to take their word.  Thanks everyone.

That far back it is less likely to be something like a utility strip, or a ransom strip, or 'amenity land'.

The more likely use might be for highway - including the possibility the highway authority wanted to make improvements at a later date.  Another possibility could be that there was a boundary (drainage) ditch between the property and the highway which has subsequently been filled in.

NameUnavailable

If you can't find an owner (have you searched the land registry) and the council say it's not theirs, then I would be inclined to claim it anyway - fence it off as said and then if someone later claims to own it you can negotiate then.

Section62

NameUnavailable said:

If you can't find an owner (have you searched the land registry) and the council say it's not theirs, then I would be inclined to claim it anyway - fence it off as said and then if someone later claims to own it you can negotiate then.

If your friend does do this then it would be an idea not to spend too much on the fence.

Given other people currently park on the land there's a good chance they will react poorly to someone unilaterally claiming exclusive use of the land - resulting in either (or both) 'accidental' damage to the fence, or complaints to the council who will then remember the land is theirs.  If the land is highway then the council doesn't need to negotiate, or rather the 'negotiation' is likely to be limited to something like a letter giving the friend 'x' days to remove their fence before the council does it for them.

If this was land to the rear of the property that nobody else ever uses then the fencing idea has some merit.  But with other people finding the land useful, and it being adjacent to the highway, it probably isn't the best approach - especially if their primary goal is trying to buy the land legally.

kipsterno1

Our local authority website has a 'my maps' page that details local authority land ownership. It displays things like foot paths, bridleways, grit bins alley gates and so on. One of the filters that can be added is, property ownership > council land ownership. Might be worth a look on your local authority site.

propertyrental

And have yoiu done a Land Registry 'Map Enquiry'? You focus on the area in question and it lists ALL the registered plots. Though it does sound more likely to be unregistered.

Eliza_2

Thank you.  It seems that to do a map search you need to be a business user, so she's asking around to see if any friends are registered and can help.

ThisIsWeird

Hi Liz.
Does your friend just wish for it to be tidy, or would they want to actually incorporate it into their garden? 
For the latter, if they hoped to fence it 'properly', it may cause visibility issues for users of the road, so could be a non-starter.
If they fail to find the true owner, then they could always try the tidying-up and plants approach, but I'd suggest keeping any such planting small and compact - purely boundary-marking. At least initially. If seemingly successful, then a low hedge, low chain fence etc could be introduced in a year or so...
I wouldn't entertain placing rocks there, as an informed person could claim - most likely successfully - for any damage caused to their vehicle as a result.
But, cut everything away to grass layer, cut some nice round circles at regular spacings following its outer boundary (tho' keeping well in), and plant some pretty, foot-high evergreen shrubs there. And see what happens?
I guess it belongs to either the original developer/builder, the Council, or the Highways Agency. Who maintains the adjacent road?

propertyrental

Eliza_2 said:

Thank you.  It seems that to do a map search you need to be a business user, so she's asking around to see if any friends are registered and can help.

No.

Go here and scroll down to "other ways to search" then "serach by map ".

You'll need an account to buy any Titles you find and want to investigate further, but it's quick, easy and free for anyone to set up an account.

https://search-property-information.service.gov.uk/?_ga=2.227252893.1011285419.1624257816-2123334908.1623227908

daveyjp

If its a verge which has never been sold it my well not be registered.  Council will have records if its theirs as they maintain a separate register.  You need to ask their Property Records or 'Terrier' section.

There is a desire to try and get all titles registered by 2030 (2025 for Local Authorities), but with millions of unregistered titles in total and many thousands of local authority titles to register at a time when their resources are severly limited its not a target I can see being met.

user1977

daveyjp said:

If its a verge which has never been sold it my well not be registered.  Council will have records if its theirs as they maintain a separate register.  You need to ask their Property Records or 'Terrier' section.

And if it's merely an adopted road verge, it's more likely that they aren't the owner, merely the roads authority responsible for maintaining it. So you want to check with the highways dept too.