Dear LPG,

I can remember the day that I finished paying my mortgage and my house finally became mine! It felt really good to receive my deeds in the post, and I can remember feeling that I needed to keep them safe and secure, after all, it was a really significant moment in my life and this was going to be the single most expensive thing I would ever own.

That was all a long time ago, and its funny how those really important papers gradually become lost.  When wanting to clarify a minor detail regarding some land common to some of my neighbours recently, it felt logical to start by checking the conditions as set out on my deeds, so I thought that I should start by checking my house deeds and the rules on my neighbour’s deeds. I did look extensively, but I have to admit to not being sure of exactly where my copies of the papers were.  In the end I got through to the government’s Land Registry department where I learned a few things that I think would interest  all home owners, and that they should be aware of.

Did you know that any person can acquire a copy of the deeds of any freehold or leasehold property, and also that a copy of the deeds to any house can be bought.  I have learned that all property deeds (flats, houses, shops or business premises) are public documents and as such anyone has the right to know who owns it, how much they paid for it, when it was bought and all the details with regard to any conditions of sale.

 In short, you can check anyone’s deeds and buy a copy of the deeds to any property.  You can telephone their enquiry line on 0300 006 0411 and arrange to buy copies of deeds from them at the cost of £7.00 per copy, or you can go online and pay £3.00 per copy to download. 

They will also talk you through any details that will help you to better understand any information that you might need.

I just want to add one post script to my message.  Beware of finding yourself on the website of an independent company that will offer the same service, but with a bigger fee involved.  I am hoping that LPG will add the right URL at the end of my post.

K L. Lewisham.

LPG has added some hyperlinks to the government sites where some relative information is stored.

(►►►)   (►►►)    

… and would ask that readers take KL’s warning of other sites offering similar, but more expensive services seriously.