How Can I Prove That I Own My House?

[10ClarionSt]

Simple, some people will say. Look in the deeds. Not so simple though. When I finshed paying my mortgage, I sent my deeds to the Land Registry Office in Lytham St. Annes, on advice from the Building Society. I received a dcoument back entitled "Completion of Registration" and another one entitled "Official Copy Of Register Entries" which included the title number. Nowhere in these documents does it say that I am the owner of my house. They're full of legal jargon. However, on the back of the second document, there is section entitled "Title Absolute", where it names me as the proprietor but not the owner. Also, Land Registry have never returned my documents, which I have never questioned because the Building Society said they would be lodged with them (Land Registry)

[Redhelen72]

Perhaps you should phone the Land Registry and see what they advise?

[youngmafbog]

Slightly off topic, so apologies 10c, but the Land Registery offer a service whereby if anyone tries to register your property they will let you know. They send a report out periodically too.

Worth doing.

On your OP, I dont remember doing this when we paid off ours but it was a long time ago now.

[calmck]

I think proprietor means owner in Land Registery documents.

[barry1010]

You don't need the Title Deeds to prove ownership, in fact Title Deeds are no longer issued in the old sense.
You can download a copy from the Land Registry for £3 https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-property-and-land/copies-of-deeds

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks folks. I phoned the Land Registry and they said they don't keep documents. They return all documents but I didn't get mine. For instance I remember in among the documents I sent, was something very legal looking with red ribbons entitled "Charge Notice". I never got that back.
Calmmk, that was how I thought of it but I wish there was just something in these documents that simply says I own this property.

[barry1010]

By the way, the proof of ownership is now called the Title Register and that is what you should download from here
https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-property-and-land/copies-of-deeds

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks Barry. If I don't need Title Deeds, then what do I need? What is it, exactly, that will show I own my house?

[barry1010]

When we paid off our mortgage we got all the paperwork including the deeds back - they are just of historical interest these days.

[barry1010]

The Title Register is what you need to download

[barry1010]

Whoever is asking you to prove ownership should pay for and download the Register themselves.

[barry1010]

How does that answer the question that has been posted in the law section, TTT?

[pimplyteen]

Its called goading barry some can do it and get away with it still!!

[barry1010]

Have you done it yet, 10C? Should only take a few minutes. If you don't understand anything on the Register let us know

[barry1010]

I don't like name calling, TTT

[Barmaid]

The Official Copy of Register Entries will have a Proprietorship Register on page 2. The OCE only ever details the Legal Owner (ie he who has the power of sale, mortgage etc). The OCE never records the beneficial owner (the real owner). However, the law states that the beneficial ownership usually follows the legal title and it is for anyone who asserts differently to prove it. EG you could be the legal proprietor but this could be as trustee for someone. In order to prove that, there would be a separate trust deed.

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks for the replies folks, and the offer of help from Barry. I didn't see the removed answers but there are times on this website when some comments are unnecessary.