Legal Jargon

A legal term which means the seller has limited knowledge of the property and cannot give a full title guarantee because they do not know enough about the property. Typically, a limited title guarantee might be used when an attorney, an executor of a deceased person’s estate, or by trustees or a personal representative.

A building of architectural or historic interest recognised as being worthy of protection and preservation. Owners of listed buildings need to gain permission from their local planning authority to make any significant alterations to the property and its curtilage (land and associated buildings). This can include extensions, window replacements and double glazing installation, solar panels, removal of internal walls and features and even changing the colour of external paintwork.

A search submitted to the local authority that asks a considerable number of questions about a property and its surroundings including, for example, information on any planning permission(s), whether the adjoining roadway is maintainable at public expense or any local land charges affecting the property. Your conveyancing lawyers will usually conduct a local search as part of their work researching the property that you are planning to purchase.

A way of owning property in joint names that means that, on the death of one of the owners, the property will automatically pass to the surviving owner regardless of what is said in any will. In the event of the owners separating or wishing to sell the property and not buy another one together, the basic premise is that the proceeds of sale are divided between them on an equal basis, regardless of the contribution that either of them may have made to the purchase price or any subsequent modifications or improvements to the property.

A search for unregistered titles carried out at the Land Charges Department of Land Registry to see if there are any mortgages or other adverse interests registered against a property that would affect its value and a person or entity’s decision about whether to buy it.

An organisation controlled by central government that maintains a register of properties and their ownership in England and Wales. Approximately 90-95% of residential dwellings are now registered.

The fee payable to the Land Registry to register any change in the property details including a change of ownership or to register the property for the first time.

Another word for “lessor” – usually the person who owns the property subject to the lease and who is entitled to receive the ground rent.

Usually (but not necessarily) the freeholder of a property and the person entitled to receive the ground rent from the lessee or tenant.

A document setting out the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant (lessor and lessee) in the leasehold arrangements.