What the title register is
For most property in England and Wales, HM Land Registry holds the definitive record of ownership. The 'official copy of the register of title' is the document that sets out who owns a property, the rights that benefit it, and the obligations and charges that burden it. You can obtain it for a few pounds — you don't need to be the owner.
It comes in three parts: A) the Property Register, B) the Proprietorship Register, and C) the Charges Register. Each tells you something different.
A — the Property Register
This describes the property: its address, whether it's freehold or leasehold, and the rights that benefit it — such as rights of way over a neighbour's land, or shared access and drainage. For leasehold, it summarises the lease (date, term and parties).
Look here for the tenure and for any rights the property relies on. A property that depends on a right of way it doesn't clearly own can be a problem.
B — the Proprietorship Register
This names the current registered owner(s), states the class of title (usually 'title absolute', the best kind), and may show the price paid and the date. It also records restrictions — for example, a restriction requiring a lender's consent before a sale, or one indicating a trust.
Check the owner matches who you think you're buying from, and note any restriction that controls how the property can be dealt with.
C — the Charges Register
This is where the burdens live: registered charges (mortgages, which are discharged on completion), restrictive covenants, easements that burden the land, notices, and any overage or clawback deeds. It's the part most likely to contain something that affects your plans.
Reading the Charges Register — and the deeds it refers to — is how you find covenants that limit alterations or use, and rights others hold over the property. A TrueBrick Plus report interprets the whole register in plain English and flags the entries that matter, so you don't have to decode the legal language yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is the title register the same as the title deeds?
Not quite. For registered land, the register is the authoritative record; older 'deeds' are the historic documents behind it. The register, plus the deeds it refers to, is what a conveyancer reviews.
Can I get the title register myself?
Yes — anyone can order an official copy from HM Land Registry for a small fee. You don't need to own the property or have the seller's permission.
What if a property isn't registered?
A minority of land remains unregistered, usually because it hasn't changed hands since registration became compulsory in the area. These purchases rely on the paper deeds and need careful legal handling.