Introduction
As the world progresses, the political and economic infrastructures of countries also change with time. This brings about a massive hike in the prices of all goods and commodities. While some markets suffer, others flourish with the hikes.
The real estate sector is an example of such a market. The economy of the United Kingdom has seen many ups and downs in the past year, but this sector has remained relatively stable. The main reason is that people always need housing regardless of the situation. Therefore, many people have now begun Property Planning.
If you are trying to sell property, you must have proof of ownership for it. This gives rise to a lot of questions: what can be used as proof of ownership? Can property documents be utilised? Why is it required? Who asks for such proof?
To answer such questions, you must be familiar with what proof of ownership of land means.
What is proof of ownership of land?
Proof of land ownership is any document that cites your rights over a piece of land in a particular area. It proves that you are the legal owner of a specific property. It gives you the right to exercise what you wish over the land.
Proof of ownership is not subject to land alone. For any item you possess, various documents can be used as proof of ownership.
Therefore, proof of ownership can be defined as any document that confirms your right over a place, object, or item. For example, if you got into an accident that damaged your car, the insurance company would ask for proof that indicates that you owned it – to be precise, the proof of ownership.
In such circumstances, the following is a list of valid documents to use in this regard:
- Receipt
- Bank statements (Deposit statements)
- Electronic copy
- Certifications
- Warranty documents
What is Land Registry?
A Land Registry is a legal department that registers land ownership throughout the United Kingdom. This department safeguards the owner’s rights as it is considered proof of ownership. Thus, you are safeguarded from any potential fraud.
This department provides the property holder with a land title backed by the government and a title plan that discusses the boundaries of that property. The department also documents any concerning leases, mortgages, etc.
When buying or selling a property in the UK, it is a legal requirement that any such change of ownership is registered at the Land Registry. To summarize, this department helps the government maintain an up-to-date public record so they know whether to do things like charge the council tax.
For further information, click here.
Is Land Registry a Valid Proof of ownership?
Since the Land Registry is a legal department in the United Kingdom, any land registered within the latter is subject to its rules and regulations.
The property holder can freely exercise his rights on any registered property. The paramount convenience is brought about by the fact that this land registry is considered a valid proof of ownership.
Therefore, the land registry can be used as proof when buying or selling a property. Similarly, after the Social housing white paper is viewed, it can be used to show the validity of the land to any type of tenancy when renting out your place.
What Documents Can be Used As a Proof Of Ownership?
Any Property documents that confirm your rights over a place can be deemed as proof of ownership. Following is a list of such documents:
1. Title Deeds
The land ownership certificate is a document issued by a particular area’s government or relative authorities. It signifies that the person it is awarded to is the owner of a particular property.
In the UK, a property registered at the land registry is awarded a title register. This register records the owner’s name, the property’s monetary value, and its mortgage status. Other things like property boundaries (title plan) and a summary that indicates whether it is freehold or leasehold are also included.
To get a copy of property documents online, click here.
2. Insurance Certificate
If you have purchased a homeowner’s insurance policy for your property, an insurance certificate from the company can be used as proof of ownership.
Insurance companies always confirm your property ownership before issuing an insurance policy. Therefore, when this certificate is in your name as the homeowner – it is enough to prove your validity as the property holder.
An insurance company can also ask for proof of ownership on certain occasions. For instance, they will ask for all such documents after a hazard concerning Electricity Safety or Gas Safety backed by one of their policies occurs.
3. Purchase Documents
Before buying a property, a contract is signed between the buyer and the previous holder confirming the ownership change.
However, this contract only indicates ownership. It does not confirm if the property still belongs to you at present. Therefore, the contract must be accompanied by other valid proofs, such as tax receipts or mortgage letters, to act as proof of ownership.
In addition, regardless of the letting type, many tenants want to see the purchase documents before they move in. So if you practice Corporate let, make sure to keep them safe.
4. Mortgage Letter
If it can be shown that mortgage payments were being made on the property by the owner, their ownership is automatically confirmed. Even if you have lost the receipts, get in touch with your mortgage company. They usually have records of all payments made to them.
With the class use order playing a vital role, all of these documents and the tax receipts can be used as proof of ownership.
What can be the proof of ownership for unregistered land?
The only valid proof of ownership for unregistered land is the original deeds. It includes all the documents concerned with the property for a minimum of the last 15 years. This shows the buyer any changes in the ownership or other payments related to the property.
However, if the original deeds are lost, it becomes tough to prove the ownership of a property.
Therefore, it is much more convenient for land to be registered with the land registry. In doing so, all previous records concerning the property are stored electronically. Thus, unlike the original deeds, they can be accessed at any given time.
Conclusion
Although the Land registry is seen as nothing more than a government department, the benefits associated with the registration can not be stressed enough. Your rights are protected, buying or selling becomes more straightforward, and the records can be accessed virtually.
As the world moves forward, we must move along with it. Therefore, when it comes to property planning, the safest way to play the game is the land registry to obtain a valid proof of ownership.
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