Glossary definition
Title Deed
A legal document that proves ownership of a property or parcel of land, now predominantly held in electronic form at HM Land Registry. The lender's solicitor will conduct a thorough review of the title deeds to identify any restrictions, covenants, easements, or defects that could affect the development or the enforceability of the lender's security.
Definition
A legal document that proves ownership of a property or parcel of land, now predominantly held in electronic form at HM Land Registry. The lender's solicitor will conduct a thorough review of the title deeds to identify any restrictions, covenants, easements, or defects that could affect the development or the enforceability of the lender's security. Unregistered land or defective title can be addressed through title insurance or statutory declarations.
See also
Closely related terms.
Land Registry
HM Land Registry is the government body responsible for registering ownership of land and property in England and Wales.
First Charge
A legal charge registered against a property title that gives the holder (typically the senior lender) first priority over all other creditors in the event of a sale or enforcement.
Title Insurance
An insurance policy that protects the insured against financial loss arising from defects in the legal title to a property that were not discovered during the conveyancing process.
Solicitor's Undertaking
A binding promise given by a solicitor in their professional capacity to perform or abstain from a specific action, enforceable by the courts and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Further reading
Guides that touch this term.
Guide
Legal Due Diligence in Development Finance: What Solicitors Check
Legal due diligence is the backbone of every development finance transaction. This guide explains what solicitors investigate, common issues that delay completions, and how to prepare your legal pack.
9 min read readReadGuide
Development Finance Application Checklist: Documents You Need
A comprehensive checklist covering every document lenders require for a development finance application, from development appraisals to contractor tenders and planning evidence.
11 min read readRead
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