Land Registry - ownership?

[terambulan]

Received Council tax bill for property I thought my dec'd spouse sold. How do I check ownership of the property?

Council says tenant previously paid CT?

[Ethel]

You go to the Land Registry website and download the details for a fee of �3. It is very quick and easy.

This is assuming that the Title is Regitered, of course.

[terambulan]

Could I trouble u for the url.....have just been to the site (credit card in hand) but can't make sense of it

[Ethel]

Is this the site you are looking at?

http://www.landregisteronline.gov.uk/

[Eve]

Do, however, bear in mind that that will only show the register as it stands and not any pending applications or changes which have not been sent to the Land Registry for registration as yet.

I'd recommend phoning the Land Registry and asking them for the information you need.

Ask if they can confirm the date that the ownership was transferred from you spouse and whether they can send you confirmation of that so you can establish up to what date they were liable for any council tax and provide evidence of that to the council as appropriate.

Find the office for where the house is here...

http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/www/wps/portal/ !ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gfN1MTQ wt381DL0BBTAyNjY0cTE19PQwN3M6B8JB55A2J0G-AAjoR 0-3nk56bqF-SGRpQ7KioCALdDEtQ!/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvU Ut3QS9ZQnB3LzZfTEY1NDE4RzdVOVVUNTAyMzNBNDRNSTE wRzU!

[terambulan]

Thanx....since it's a leasehold flat the LR say I have to pay �25 for ownership details, not available online for leasehold props.

Dont want to throw good money to find out someone else owns the prop.

[Eve]

How strange!

Is it a copy of the lease they think you want? That usually costs about �20.00.

Make it clear to them that you don't need to see the lease, just know the date your spouse transferred the property.

This may or may not be on the official copies depending on the nature of the transfer and any further transfers or dealings.

If all else fails try and find a copy of the leasehold title to the flat from the Land Registry and if it doesn't give you the info you need then come back and I'll help further.

[terambulan]

It's really odd.......just filled in their general enquiry (under freedom of info) and that wont upload.

Have phoned LR & explained situ. They still want �25 for a copy of the LR details........I really don't want that if it's someone elses name.

Brick wall, again!

[Eve]

Did you use this site...

http://www.landregisteronline.gov.uk/

Type in the building number (if a flat) or house number if a house and postcode (can be found on the Royal Mail site if you're not sure -

http://postcode.royalmail.com/portal/rm/postco definder;jsessionid=VFFXVOKEBNDAOFB2IGIUQEQ?ca tId=400145&pageId=pcaf_pc_search&_DAV=normal&_ DARGS=/portal/rmgroup/apps/templates/html/addr ess/tabs.jsp_A&gear=postcode

Click on search.

It should come up with some options from where you select the correct property (leasehold if it is a leasehold title).

Click on "information available", check the title register box then go to "checkout".

I've just gone through it for my flat (I use a Land Registry business system at work which is different) and it's gone through fine and is only asking me for �3.00.

[Eve]

Or...

find the appropriate Landlord Registry here,

http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/www/wps/portal/ !ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gfN1MTQ wt381DL0BBTAyNjY0cTE19PQwN3M6B8JB55A2J0G-AAjoR 0-3nk56bqF-SGRpQ7KioCALdDEtQ!/dl2/d1/L2dJQSEvU Ut3QS9ZQnB3LzZfTEY1NDE4RzdVOVVUNTAyMzNBNDRNSTE wRzU!

get their e.mail address and try e.mailing them this...

I would be very grateful if you could help me with a council tax related query.

I have received an invoice for unpaid tax relating to a property in the former ownership of my deceased spouse.

The property address is: xxx (full postal address including postcode).

My deceased spouse�s name is: xxx (full name)

In order to ascertain the period for which my deceased spouse was liable for the payment of council tax and settle the invoice accordingly, I am trying to ascertain, and preferably obtain proof of, the dates the property was registered in their name.

As you hold the ownership records of the property I would be very grateful if you could assist.

If you have any further requirements such as proof of identity of fees then please let me know and I can make the appropriate arrangements.

My contact details are:

Mobile: xxx
Address: xxx
E.mail: xxx

Thank you, in anticipation, for any assistance you can give me.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Kind regards,

xxx

[terambulan]

Couldn't fill in Organisation or Title number (don't have either) so still wouldn't upload......and I used your letter with my info.

If u work for them, maybe I could phone you, officially?

[Eve]

I don't work for them unfortunately, am a solicitor and use them all the time.

You shouldn't have to put an organisation or title number in, are you sure you're on the right bit?

Hopefully they will reply to your e.mail though. Let us know how you get on.

[terambulan]

LR say "ask Council for proof of ownership"....asked Council....they quote data proction etc. & want death certificate plus explanatory letter as to why I shouldn't pay?

Still no proof of ownership!

and I packed for a hol and bought the sun-cream...waaaa waaa, sob sob.

[Eve]

When your spouse died, who dealt with the estate or are you dealing with it now as surely a debt would be dealt with from the estate if she still owned the property?

If not you, could you ask the executor about whether any information as to ownership or sale of the property was brought up in her papers etc...?

You could try looking on house price comparison sites to see if it comes up when the property was last sold...

Example here...

http://www.nethouseprices.com/index.php?con=Se arch-Sold-House-Prices

also try and get a copy of the title as detailed above - I'm sure the Land Registry will talk you through it if you're having difficulties or send you a postal form etc...

It "should" show the date that the current owner bought it (last selling price or a charge on purchase date), doesn't mean it was them who purchased it from your spouse but it's a start.

[terambulan]

Great site but alas, property not there....neighbors are? LR say property not registered?

Will have to resort to knocking on doors!

[terambulan]

Spoke to Letting Agents who confirm property is not owned by my spouse and that the Council had made an error in sending me the bill.

Hopefully the matter is now closed and many thanx for all your help.

[Eve]

That's good news as not easy when tracing unregistered land :)

Glad you got it sorted :)