title deeds

[cecil39]

what should my title deeds look like? i got them from my solicitors to check on my boundries and they are nothing like i seem to remember, not even a certificate with my and the sellers signitures on them, i can remember signing it so it must exist, all i got were some bits and peices saying about the land being sold before the house was built and searches done for where the drains run, can someone explain what i should have got as i would feel a fool if this is all i should have and i complain about it.

[factor-fiction]

I don't think these documents are needed nowadays. Assuming it's a registered title teh land registry will hold an electronic copy

[buildersmate]

The thing that you are looking for is called 'Official Copy of the Register of Title', which is what the Land Registry produces to show that you (and maybe others) are the owner of the land.
The various things you signed would have been the contract agreeing to buy and the seller agreeing to sell, and a transfer document that is sent by your solicitor to the LR that enables them to record the fact that you now own the land.
With the Register of Title comes a document called the 'Title Land' - a scaled map with a red line around the area of land that you own (and sometimes other coloured annotation as well).
You can use the title plan to check the rough boundaries, but DO NOt attempt to scale from it to establish exactly where the boundary with your neighbour is.
The Register of Title will say if a utility company has the right to run a public sewer under your land but it will not tell you the exact route. Talk to the utility company direct to find that (or look for the line between manhole covers)

[Sooper]

I think you may have been expecting a lovely Land Certificate, that used to be the norm but those days have long since gone (2003) since Computerisation and Electronic registration. Then, once you had paid off your Mortgage/debts etc you would have been presented with a lovely Land Certificate which either would have been either the big white oldie woldie cover or a new A4 beige one (not as fancy!) with a copy of your register (this covers three sections, the A, B and C Register) and the filed plan (title plan showing your land/property edged in red) sewn in.
These have no significance now, its a real shame but thats progress for you!

[cecil39]

thanks guys, yes sooper i was expecting an impressive looking document, what a shame. i need to be able to prove my boundary as while i was away my neighbour took up all the boundary post and wire fence and has put his new fence to far over, so pinching about a foot of my garden.

[Sooper]

Boundary disputes are probably the most frequent issue that arises for the Land Registry to deal with!
You can always call the Land Registry and discuss your problem , they are always willing to help and offer advice or you can visit one of the district offices that are dotted around the country, they dont charge, only if you have Office copies of your deeds.
http://www.landreg.gov.uk/enquiries

[cecil39]

thanks sooper, i will be in touch with land registry on monday, i don't want this to turn into a fall scale war but refuse to be treated as if i don't have rights, i think my neighbour believes that old people won't have the guts to fight back, he is so wrong.

[Sooper]

Good luck Cecil, i hope you get this issue resolved.