What You Need to Know About Title Deeds, Plans and Flood Risk Reports

Title deeds and title plans are documents that describe the ownership of a property. The title deeds will include the name of the owner, a description of the property, and any easements or rights of way that exist. The title plan will show the boundaries of the property, as well as any buildings or other features that are on the land.

The land registry title plan is the definitive record of a property's boundaries. It is used by the Land Registry to identify the property for legal purposes. The title plan will also show any restrictions or rights that exist over the land, such as rights of way or easements.

Why Are Title Deeds and Title Plans Important?

When you purchase a property, you will receive the title deeds and title plans from the solicitors or conveyancers. The title deeds contain all of the information about the property, including the names of the previous owners, the size of the property, and any restrictions on the property. The title plans show the layout of the property, including the location of any boundaries, buildings, and features.

The title deeds and title plans are important because they provide evidence of your ownership of the property. They also contain vital information that can help you to understand the property and its history. For example, the title deeds may reveal that there are covenant restrictions on the property, which means that you may not be able to make certain changes to the property without the permission of the covenant holder. The title plans can also be useful if you need to find the boundary of your property, or if you want to check for potential flood risk.

If you are selling your property, you will need to provide the buyer with a copy of the title deeds and title plans. It is also a good idea to keep a copy of these documents yourself, in case you need to refer to them in the future.

Obtaining a Land Registry Title Plan

When you are buying a property, your solicitor will order a Land Registry Title Plan as part of the conveyancing process. The Plan shows the registered boundaries of the property, as well as any rights of way or other easements that exist

The Plan will also show any buildings or other features that are on the land, including any that are within the boundaries of the property. If there are any disputes about the boundaries of the property, the Plan can be used as evidence in court.

You can obtain a Land Registry Title Plan yourself, but it is advisable to use a solicitor or conveyancer to do this for you. They will be able to explain the Plan to you and advise you on any issues that may be relevant to your purchase.

Knowing Your Flood Risk

When you purchase a property, your lender will require a flood risk assessment as part of their due diligence. This is to protect their investment and to ensure that you are aware of the risks of flooding.

A flood risk assessment will identify the potential for flooding from rivers, sea and groundwater, as well as the probability of this happening. It will also consider the consequences of flooding, such as damage to property and disruption to your life.

The assessment will be used to produce a flood risk report which will be given to you by your lender. This report will identify the risks and recommend ways to reduce them.

You should read the report carefully and consider the recommendations. If you have any questions, you should speak to your lender or a qualified flood risk assessor.

What Is Included in a Flood Risk Report?

​A flood risk report is an important document that helps to determine the likelihood of a property flooding. The report will consider the location of the property, the local terrain, rainfall patterns and the proximity of rivers and other bodies of water. The report will also look at the history of flooding in the area and any plans that are in place to reduce the risk of flooding.

The report will help to identify any areas of high risk and will recommend measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of flooding. These measures can include things like installing flood defences, raising the ground level of the property or relocating to a less flood-prone area.

The report should also include a section on what to do in the event of a flood, such as how to evacuate the property and where to go for help. It is important to remember that a flood can happen at any time, so it is important to be prepared.

If you are considering buying a property, it is essential to obtain a flood risk report as part of your due diligence. This will help to ensure that you are fully informed of the risks involved and can make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase.

Know More About Flood Risk Report: How to Obtain A Flood Risk Report

Final Checks Before Completion

You’re in the final stages of your house purchase and you’ve agreed a date for completion. This is when the money you’ve saved up, or borrowed, to buy your new home is transferred from the seller’s solicitors to your own. But before you can start packing your boxes, there are a few things you need to check off your list first.

Your solicitor should have already done most of the hard work by this stage, but it’s always worth checking that everything is in order before completion. Here are some of the things you need to check:

1. Title deeds, title plans and land registry title plans

These documents show who owns the property you’re buying, and what rights and restrictions are attached to it. Your solicitor will check these during the conveyancing process to make sure there are no surprises, but it’s always worth taking a look yourself too.

2. Flood risk report

If you’re buying a property in an area that’s known to flood, your lender will require a flood risk report as part of your mortgage application. This will assess the risk of flooding at the property and outline what steps you can take to protect it.

3. Energy performance certificate

An energy performance certificate (EPC) rates how energy efficient a property is on a scale of A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). It’s a legal requirement to have an EPC when you sell or rent out a property, so your solicitor should have arranged one during the conveyancing process.

4. Building survey

A building survey is a detailed inspection of the property you’re buying, carried out by a qualified surveyor. It’s not a legal requirement, but it’s a good idea to get one if you’re buying an older property or one that’s been extended or altered

5. Local authority searches

Local authority searches are carried out by your solicitor during the conveyancing process to check for any planning applications or works that have been carried out without planning permission. They’ll also check for any environmental issues, such as flooding or subsidence.

6. Mortgage offer

If you’re taking out a mortgage to buy your new home, you should have received a mortgage offer from your lender by now. This outlines the terms and conditions of your mortgage, so it’s important to check that everything is in order before you sign it.

7. Insurance

You need to make sure you have buildings insurance in place before completion, as this will protect your new home from damage or destruction. Your lender will usually require you to have buildings insurance in place before they release the funds for your mortgage.

8. Packing

OK, so this one isn’t strictly a ‘check’, but it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the big day. Start packing your belongings into boxes so you can move them into your new home as soon as the keys are handed over.

Completion day is an exciting time, but it’s important to make sure you’ve ticked everything off your checklist first. By following these simple steps, you can avoid any last-minute surprises and enjoy a hassle-free move into your new home.