How to Read a Title Register — Understanding Your Property’s Land Registry Records

What is the Title Register?

The title register is the official legal record of property ownership in England and Wales, maintained by HM Land Registry (HMLR). It replaced the old system of physical title deeds and is now the primary evidence of who owns a property and under what conditions.

You can download a copy of any title register at **gov.uk/search-property-information** for a fee of £3. Your solicitor will obtain this automatically when you buy or sell.

The Three Parts of the Title Register

Every title register is divided into three sections: the A Register (property register), the B Register (proprietorship register), and the C Register (charges register).

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A Register — The Property Register

The A Register describes the property itself. It contains:

• The **title number** — a unique identifier for this title at HMLR (e.g. ABC123456)
• The **estate** — whether the property is freehold (absolute ownership of land and buildings) or leasehold (ownership for a fixed term)
• A **brief description** of the property, often referencing the title plan by plan number
• For leasehold properties: the lease term, start date, and ground rent (if any)
• **Easements and rights** that benefit the property — e.g. a right of way over a neighbour’s land, or a right to use shared drains

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B Register — The Proprietorship Register

The B Register records who owns the property. It contains:

• **Class of title** — the quality of the ownership registered (see below)
• **Proprietor’s name and address** — the current registered owner. For individuals, an address for service is listed. Companies show their registered address.
• **Price paid** — for disposals registered since April 2000, the purchase price is recorded (subject to limited exceptions)
• **Restrictions** — conditions that limit how the owner can deal with the property. Common examples include:
• “No disposition of the registered estate by the proprietor of the registered estate is to be registered without a written consent signed by the proprietor for the time being of [charge]” — meaning the lender must consent before the property can be sold or re-mortgaged
• A restriction requiring consent from a management company before a leasehold flat can be transferred

#### Classes of Title

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C Register — The Charges Register

The C Register records third-party rights and obligations affecting the property. It is the section most likely to contain important restrictions on use.

• **Charges (mortgages)** — each registered mortgage or secured loan appears here, with the lender’s name and charge date. When a mortgage is repaid, the charge should be removed (a process called “discharge”).
• **Restrictive covenants** — obligations that bind the land and all future owners. Common examples: not to use the property for commercial purposes, not to erect additional structures without consent. These often date back decades and are difficult to remove.
• **Positive covenants** — obligations to do something (e.g. maintain a shared boundary or contribute to a shared driveway). Note: positive covenants technically do not bind successors in title at common law, which is why they are often reinforced by indemnity covenants on each transfer.
• **Easements burdening the property** — rights that others have over your land, e.g. a neighbouring property’s right to pass over your driveway.
• **Notices and cautions** — third parties can register a notice to protect an interest (e.g. a lease, an option to purchase, or a right of pre-emption)

Key Things to Check When Buying

1. **Class of title** — anything other than absolute title warrants investigation and possibly title insurance

2. **Restrictions in the B Register** — understand what consents are needed before you can sell or remortgage

3. **Restrictive covenants in the C Register** — check whether your intended use complies; building extensions, running a business from home, or subdividing a plot may be prohibited

4. **Existing charges** — verify that all mortgages will be discharged on completion; your solicitor’s undertaking to the seller’s solicitor covers this

5. **Easements and rights of way** — understand who else has rights over or through the land

How to Download a Title Register

1. Go to **gov.uk/search-property-information**

2. Search by property address or title number

3. Pay £3 and download the official copy

The title plan (a separate £3 document) shows the extent of the registered title on an Ordnance Survey map base. Both documents together give a complete picture of registered ownership.

Property Passport UK integrates with HMLR data to display title information for registered properties, giving owners, buyers, and conveyancers a clear and current view of the title register without navigating multiple government portals.